Highlights: Ortiz edges Bohachuk in all out war, Crawford fight expected next

Vergil Ortiz had to overcome two official knockdowns to take a close decision win over Serhii Bohachuk.

It was an all-action affair in tonight’s DAZN main event with Vergil Ortiz (22-0) taking a narrow majority decision win over Serhii Bohachuk (24-2) to take his interim WBC world title, and potentially setting up a fight against Terence Crawford — but more on that later.

Both Ortiz and Bohachuk promised they would throw down, and the did exactly that from the opening bell, taking turns landing clean punches on one another for the full 12 rounds in a rousing action fight that had the crowd on its feet for much of the fight. The first round had Ortiz go down on what looked like a a shot that knocked him off balance more than actually hurt him, but the event was ruled a slip.

But to start Round 5 the commission would review the tape and overturn that call, making it an official knockdown. Then in the eight round Bohachuk would score another flash knockdown, and that lit a fire under Ortiz’s ass who would immediately storm back by throwing tons of power punches and strafing Bohachuk for most of the end of that round.

The fighters would continue to have dramatic shifts with Ortiz visibly stunning Bohachuk at least a few times, but Bohachuk displayed so much heart and composure that he never let those moments break him.

There was plenty of tension on both sides as the official scores were being tallied up, and when the were read it was Ortiz who took a decision on scores of 113-113, 114-112, and 114-112 in a clear Fight of the Year contender.

Before the broadcast Turki Alalshikh made an appearance with Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya for a segment, and both agreed that they would work on making a Terence Crawford vs Vergil Ortiz fight next pending the outcome. Ortiz won, and so those talks will likely be to come.

Bohachuk vs Ortiz highlights

Charles Conwell KO-2 Khiary Gray

Much like the theme for the entire card, it was one way traffic in the co-feature with Charles Conwell (20-0) applying pressue and landing a devastating liver shot that Khiary Gray (18-7) didn’t see coming, and it put him down hard and for the count. Conwell fought the first round behind a very tight guard while pressing forward and by the second he was ready to get straight to business, strafing Gray with some solid shots before that one left to the body left Gray on the canvas for much longer than a 10-count.

Kenneth Sims Jr TKO-5 Jonathan Romero

Kenneth Sims Jr (21-2-1) dominated a late replacement in Jonathan Romero (35-5), who took the fight on less than 24hrs notice. Although Romero was a veteran his savvy didn’t do him any favors as he was comprehensively beaten from pillar to post by Sims, who hit him with everything but the kitchen sink. Romero who make plenty shows of bravado and did give an honest effort as opposed to just showing up to cash a check, but he got pasted to the point where he had nothing left to offer after five rounds.

Gabriela Fundora UD-10 Daniela Asenjo

Nothing much to say other than utter domination. Gabriela Fundora (17-0) came in and quickly displayed she was on a completely different level than Daniela Asenjo (16-4-3) as she was able to lead, counter, and exchange at will. Fundora would tag up Asenjo over the full duration where the result was never in doubt, and the only question was whether or not Fundora could force the stoppage. She didn’t but she put on a show all the same.

Joel Irate TKO-1 Miguel Ortiz (2:15)

Joel Irate made quick work of an overmatched Miguel Ortiz, blitzing him from the opening bell and pretty much not letting off the gas until the referee was forced to intervene, making for the early stoppage.