Vergil Ortiz Triumphs Over Serhii Bohachuk in Dramatic Bout Despite Knockdowns

In an intense clash of wills at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, Vergil Ortiz demonstrated immense heart and determination as he overcame two knockdowns to secure a 12-round majority decision victory over Serhii Bohachuk. The high-octane bout thrilled the partisan crowd inside Mandalay Bay, with both fighters showing remarkable grit in a contest that could have gone either way.

Ortiz Overcomes Early Setbacks

Ortiz, now 22-0 with 21 knockouts, claimed the interim WBC 154-pound title with this victory. Despite suffering two knockdowns, the Texan’s resolve never wavered. The judges were split, with one scoring the fight 113-113, while the other two had it 114-112 in favour of Ortiz. It was a testament to Ortiz’s ability to adapt and rally under pressure.

From the opening bell, both fighters met in the centre of the ring, exchanging powerful blows in a relentless display of offence. Bohachuk, known for his aggression, struck first. Midway through the first round, a well-placed right hand sent Ortiz to the canvas. Despite replays confirming the punch, referee Harvey Dock ruled it a slip, allowing Ortiz to recover swiftly.

Not deterred, Ortiz immediately focused on Bohachuk’s body, while Bohachuk mixed his attacks with sharp uppercuts and hooks. Both men landed solid shots, with Ortiz stunning Bohachuk with a left hook towards the end of the opening round.

A Tactical Battle in the Middle Rounds

As the fight entered the second round, the pace slowed slightly, but the tension remained high. Ortiz, sticking to his game plan, worked Bohachuk’s body with precision, mixing in lateral movement to evade counters. Bohachuk, meanwhile, relied on his jab, looking for opportunities to land his straight right to the head, but with limited success.

Both fighters had standout moments in the middle rounds. In the sixth round, Bohachuk found gaps in Ortiz’s defence, landing clean right hands. Ortiz, unfazed, continued to pound the body and ended his combinations with shots to the head.

Bohachuk Scores a Knockdown, Ortiz Roars Back

The action intensified in rounds seven and eight as Bohachuk landed a series of uppercuts. His persistence paid off when he knocked Ortiz down midway through the eighth round, with a left hook sending Ortiz’s gloves to the canvas. Replays suggested that Ortiz’s slip on the centre ring logo contributed to the fall, but it was nonetheless ruled a knockdown.

However, Ortiz’s response was immediate and ferocious. He stormed back, throwing vicious hooks and crosses that had the crowd roaring. Ortiz’s resilience shone through as he fought back from adversity, bringing energy and momentum into the later rounds.

Final Rounds: Ortiz Shows Heart and Class

In the ninth round, both fighters traded hooks and combinations, standing toe-to-toe. Ortiz appeared to land the more significant punches, while Bohachuk had moments of his own, particularly with his straight right hands in round 10.

As the bout reached the championship rounds, Ortiz stunned Bohachuk with a powerful combination in the 11th. Still, Bohachuk remained dangerous, snapping Ortiz’s head back with a sharp right hand in the final moments of the round.

The final round saw both men dig deep, aware that the fight could be hanging in the balance. With tape coming loose from Ortiz’s glove, a brief pause in the action did nothing to quell the intensity. Bohachuk landed more straight right hands, but Ortiz, with remarkable poise, connected equally to the body and head, ensuring he did enough to secure the victory.

What Lies Ahead for Ortiz and Bohachuk

Ortiz’s victory was hard-earned, and his face bore the marks of battle. The grueling nature of the fight sent both Ortiz and Bohachuk to the hospital for precautionary CT scans, as mandated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Trainer Robert Garcia reassured the media that Ortiz was in good health following the war-like contest.

Ortiz, who recently returned from a 17-month hiatus due to health concerns, now emerges as a significant player in the junior middleweight division. While there is talk of a potential showdown with Terence Crawford, many fans are already clamouring for a rematch between Ortiz and Bohachuk after their thrilling encounter.

As for Bohachuk, the Ukrainian fighter, now 24-2 with 23 knockouts, remains a formidable force in the division. Despite this setback, he has shown his ability to bounce back before, and a future rematch with Ortiz could be just what he needs to reclaim his momentum.