Vasiliy Lomachenko vs Jamaine Ortiz – Results & Post-Fight Report

Vasyl Lomachenko returned from military service in his native Ukraine, and moved straight back into world title contention, as he took a pulsating points win over Jamaine Ortiz at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Lomachenko (17-2, KO11), a former unified world champion, was taking part in his third contest since losing his belts in an upset loss to Teofimo Lopez in October 2020, while Ortiz (16-1-1, KO8), a former Lomachenko sparring partner, was coming off a career-best points win against Jamel Herring in May.

Ortiz made a bright start here, establishing the jab in the first round, and landing with a combination, and he also caught the eye in round two, with an aggressive approach paying dividends. Lomachenko warmed to his task, and caught Ortiz with a left hand in the third, and although Ortiz had a decent fourth, the Ukrainian was starting to take over, as rounds five and six saw him target the body of Ortiz to good effect. Ortiz had changed stances, but Lomachenko quickly solved the puzzle, and despite the American getting the better of the eighth with smart combination work, the stretch belonged to ‘Loma’. In the championship rounds, more body work rained in, and Lomachenko was thriving as he roared towards the finish line, throwing accurate shots in combinations and to the body as the contest went to the cards.

Scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 secured the win for Lomachenko, who will look to secure a shot at Devin Haney, the undisputed champion, in the near future.

Another double Olympic Champion was on the card, and Robeisy Ramirez (11-1, KO7) continued his ascent towards world honours with a ninth-round stoppage of Jose Matias Romero (26-3, KO9) at super featherweight. The Cuban largely dominated the fight, and closed the show in the penultimate round, with a left hook sending Romero reeling towards the ropes, and a follow up attack forced the referee to step in. Romero was also down in the opening round.

Also at super featherweight, 2020 Olympic Silver medallist Duke Ragan (8-0, KO1) remained unbeaten, but was taken the distance in a close fight against Luis Lebron (18-5-1, KO11). After eight rounds, Ragan took the win by scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75.

Promising heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr (4-0, KO4) impressed, stopping Ahmed Hefny (13-3, KO5) in the third round of a scheduled six.

Troy Isley (8-0. KO4) took a wide points win over eight at middleweight against Quincy LaVallais (14-4-1, KO9), while Nico Ali Walsh (7-0, KO5) took a close decision win over six against Billy Wagner (5-3, KO1), also at middleweight.

In lightweight action, Haven Brady Jr (8-0, KO4) banked eight rounds, and handily outscored Eric Mondragon (8-1-1, KO4), and Abdullah Mason (5-0, KO4) stopped Angel Barrera (4-1, KO0) in the third round of a scheduled six.