Vergil Ortiz Jr moved closer to a world title shot at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, but had to get off the deck twice before taking a majority decision and the interim WBC super welterweight title against Serhii Bohachuk.
Ortiz Jr (22-0, 21 KOs) came into his showdown with Bohachuk with a perfect record, having not heard the final bell in his previous 21 bouts, and he was last out in April, needing less than a round to see off Thomas Dulorme.
California-based Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs) also came in as a noted puncher, and had won six straight contests since being stopped in eight by Brandon Adams in March 2021. The Ukrainian had to go the distance for the first time in his last outing in March, taking the interim WBC belt with a clear decision win against Brian Mendoza.
Ortiz was clipped by a right hand in the very first round that caused him to hit the canvas, and after that being ruled a slip, it was later ruled a knockdown on review. Ortiz then started to find his groove, applying plenty of pressure and using a high output of punches to take early rounds.
Bohachuk grew into the contest though, and with his own high-pressure style he matched Ortiz for pressure, and that led to many exchanges. Round eight saw another moment of drama, as a Bohachuk left hook caused Ortiz’s glove to touch the canvas, and he was counted.
That seemed to awaken the beast though, as Ortiz furiously fought back to dominate the rest of the round. With the fight getting closer and closer, Ortiz wobbled the Ukrainian in the penultimate frame with a massive left hand, but with the final bell sounding, it looked as though Bohachuk had done enough to take victory.
That wasn’t reflected in the judging, as two scores of 114-112 for Ortiz won him the fight against a drawn card at 113-113.
🥊 𝐏𝐎𝐕: You’re ringside watching the battle between Serhii Bohachuk and Vergil Ortiz! 🤯💥 pic.twitter.com/oJG0UyYfuL
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) August 11, 2024
Fundora outclasses Asenjo
On the undercard, Gabriela Fundora (14-0, 6 KOs) made a routine defence of her IBF flyweight title, winning all ten rounds against Daniela Asenjo (16-3-3, 2 KOs).
Conwell flattens Gray
Super welterweight prospect Charles Conwell (20-0, 15 KOs) starred in the co-feature, and stopped Khiary Gray (18-7, 13 KOs) with a wicked body shot in the second round of their scheduled ten rounder.
Braekhus edges out Cornejo
42-year-old Cecilia Braekhus (38-2-1, 9 KOs) dropped Maricela Cornejo (19-7, 7 KOs) en route to taking a points win, as she claimed the interim WBC super welterweight title. The Norwegian took a 96-93 verdict for all three judges.
Full undercard review
At super lightweight, Kenneth Sims Jr (21-2-1, 7 KOs) halted late replacement Jonathan Romero (35-5, 19 KOs) in the fifth round of their meeting, and middleweight hope Eric Priest (14-0, 8 KOs) took a unanimous decision over ten rounds against Luka Lozo (9-3-1, 8 KOs).
Joel Iriarte (4-0, 4 KOs) needed less than a round to win his welterweight meeting with Miguel Ortiz (3-2, 1 KO), and Jonathan Canas (5-0, 2 KOs) took a points win in his lightweight bout against Joseph Cruz Brown (7-10, 3 KOs). Welterweight debutant Jennah Creason(1-0, 0 KOs) took a split decision against Kelsey Wickstrum (2-2, 1 KO), and bantamweight first-timer Jordan Fuentes (1-0, 0 KOs) won on points against James Mulder (0-3).
