Golden Boy Promotions: Michelob Ultra Arena; Mandalay Bay; Las Vegas
If Turki Al-Sheikh truly cares about boxing like he says he does, in this case he needs to bow out for a minute. After things went sideways with someone who isn’t falling over himself for the Saudi’s money; Canelo Alvarez, he turned his sites else where. But after the way the fight turned out between Vergil Ortiz Jr and Serhii Bohachuk, fans should be screaming to lets do this one again.
Most predicted that the fight wouldn’t see the sixth round. Well, we saw that and six more. And it was a high paced at times gritty chess match between two great punchers. Hence the need for a rematch before the duo steps on anyone else’s radar. The Sheikh chirped pre-fight how he wanted Terence Crawford for Ortiz should he win. Well in the manner that he did, does leave a bit of a sour taste in the mouth.
No doubt Ortiz won the final rounds. And he did so by smartly boxing getting inside and then ripping the Ukrainian’s body. Then going back upstairs. The fact he remained upright though shows the how strong the chin and heart of Bohachuk is.
Like the calls or not, Ortiz had to turn up the heat even more than what he was doing to offset the two knockdowns he suffered from. Ortiz outlanded him 266 to 225, but Ortiz wore it worse. The majority decision win 113-113, 114-112 (2x), gave Ortiz his first non-knockout win, but kept him undefeated. And now holding a piece of the hardware as WBC interim super welterweight champion.
Lets Do This One More Time, There’s Stuff To Prove
The former sparring partners had to use their entire arsenal. But if either want Crawford their games have to tighten up even more. Both rocked each other and with BUD’s heat either would go downfor the count. Ortiz did mention in passing it would be great but he is looking at the Sebastian Fundora and Errol Spence winner.
Even that scrap should take a back seat, as should the possible rebooking of Ortiz and Tim Tszyu. All those fights can be made anytime. Especially if Saudi money is putting their two cents in. Twelve rounds wasn’t enough between these two, and if you ask Oscar De La Hoya off the record, he’d agree.
Now it’s not like those other fights aren’t fun. They’d be amazing. But all are just a tab better than Ortiz overall. Sure Ortiz is technical and quick with power. And that attack might breakdown someone like Crawford. But he uses angles better and can go from either southpaw or orthodox. That would play a big factor in the outcome. His truly best chance would throw even more uppercuts than he did tonight. Which puts Ortiz in peril or getting countered. Should he try to lure him in to a fire fight he may not like the result.
Crawford takes early rounds off to gather into. That would give Ortiz his best shot to bust up Crawford’s body to the point he gets to broken down. We’ve never seen Crawford get rocked so bad he doesn’t recover. If Ortiz would pull that upset off it might be one of the biggest in a long long time for the sweet science.
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