Boxing
Bohaczuk vs. Ortiz: Vergil’s first real test of Golden Boy
Published
4 days agoon
By
J. HumzaWBC interim junior middleweight champion Serhii Bohachuk and Vergil Ortiz are finalizing the fight that will take place on August 10 in Las Vegas.
This is not Vergil’s typical opponent and there is a good chance that he will lose this fight against Bohaczuk (24-1, 23 KO). Even if Ortiz loses, he will gain valuable experience that will facilitate him continue to develop, as long as his promoters at Golden Boy continue to strongly match him after this.
If Vergil is a popular work, as some fans believe, Bohachuk is the antidote that proves it. Ultimately, this would be good because Vergil could start from the ruins and rebuild the right way against quality opponents. This is what he has been missing throughout his career.
Ortiz’s Perfect Record: A Mirage?
Some say that Vergil Ortiz has been pampered and protected by his promoters throughout his career, but that will end on August 10 when he faces Bohachuk.
The winner of this fight will be able to fight for the WBC title against the winner of Sebastian Fundora vs. Errol Spence.
On March 30, Serhii Bohachuk (29) defeated Brian Mendoza by unanimous decision lasting twelve rounds and won the interim WBC junior middleweight title.
Ukrainian Bohachuk dominated Mendoza with his power striking and looked impressive throughout the fight, dominating a guy who Tim Tszyu had trouble defeating and who knocked out Sebastian Fundora.
This is a risky fight for Ortiz, who has fought mostly mid-majors throughout his eight-year professional career, making it challenging to assess how good he really is.
The 26-year-old Ortiz (21-0, 21 KO) will be fighting his first truly talented 154-pounder since moving up in January.
Ortiz fought twice at 154, defeating Thomas Dulorme and Fredrick Lawson. None of these fighters is even close to Bohaczuk’s talent level (24-1, 23 KO).
Fans are not amused
Fans on social media are not elated that Ortiz will not fight at the August 3 event, headlined by Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Initially, Vergil Ortiz was scheduled to fight former WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu on this card, but Tim had to withdraw due to an unhealed wound after the fight on March 30.
While Vergil looked great in defeating fighters Michael McKinson, Brad Solomon and Egidijus Kavaliauskas, he didn’t fight any top level fighters. This is the downside of being protected by the promoter.
Does Ortiz even exist?
They’re building a player with a 21-0 record, but you don’t know what you’re going to get the first time they stop protecting him from the wolves. Let’s hope Ortiz Jr. during the training camp, he suffers another injury or illness that will prevent him from passing the first, challenging test against Bohachuk.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Bohachuk unmasked Vergil Ortiz, showing that he’s not as good as boxing fans thought. This is a substantial step up in class for 26-year-old Vergil, as he is still very juvenile and inexperienced, thanks to his promoters matching him so closely.
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Boxing
Feargal McCrory Belittles Lamont Roach’s Homecoming Glory; Washington DC Weights
Published
1 hour agoon
June 28, 2024By
J. HumzaFeargal McCrory has warned Lamont Roach that home field advantage won’t matter much when they fight for the WBA super featherweight world title on Friday night.
Roach, 28, a native of Washington, D.C., is defending his title in the city of his birth at the Entertainment and Sports Arena.
Irishman McCrory expects a lot of support and, although he realizes Roach’s fans will be “smaller in number” than those supporting him, he said: “When we get on the pitch it will just be me, him and the referee.
“My last fight was at Madison Square Garden, where thousands of Irish people were supporting me, but I didn’t hear any cheering because I was focused, focused and had a job to do. It will be similar this time in DC. If Lamont takes this approach, there will be no added pressure. All I’m asking for is a fair fight – red corner versus blue corner and for the best fighter of the night to make the decision. All I’m asking for is a level playing field – and that’s all.
“I said it last year. No matter what I ever achieve in this sport in terms of accolades received, my greatest achievement is the support and encouragement I have received from Irish-Americans, Up-to-date York and Philadelphia and even beyond. I am very joyful and blessed that such a wonderful audience came. We will be outnumbered in his hometown, but there are very few fighters who could fly across the Atlantic and receive the support I will bring.”
McCrory, 31, a Up-to-date York resident – Roach lives in Upper Marlboro, Maryland – also insists that the timing of his biggest fight, incidentally in a ProBox TV promotion, is in his favor.
“I had a very good, difficult camp with difficult work that should give us the confidence that when I have to go down to the bottom of the well and dig deep, I will be able to do it,” he said. “I am sure that if I do that, I can completely tear down the altar here.
“Expect someone to give it their all. I come to fight, perform and bring excitement to DC. I feel like I’m forceful and I’ve proven that in every fight. I feel like this fight is coming at the right time for me – everything is going to work out well for me as a fighter, as a person and as a man.”
Official weights, ProBox TV Boxing Championships presented by NoXcuse Promotions
World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight championship – 12 rounds
Champion Lamont “The Reaper” Roach Jr. (24-1-1, 9 KOs) of Washington, DC – 130 lbs. Feargal “Fearless” McCrory (16-0, 8 KOs) of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland – 129.6 lbs.
Joint main event
Super middleweight – 10 rounds
Lester Martinez (17-0, 15 KOs) from Guatemala City, Guatemala – 167.2 lbs.
Carlos Gongora (22-2, 17 KOs) from Boston, MA – 168.8 pounds.
Lithe – 10 rounds
Alex Dilmaghani (20-2-1, 7 KOs) from Manchester, England – 132 pounds.
Rene Tellez Giron (19-3, 12 KOs) from Querétaro, Mexico – 136.2 pounds
WBA International Bantamweight Championship – 8 rounds
Rianna Rios (7-0, 1 KO) from Upper Marlboro, Maryland – 116.6 pounds
Mary Romero (10-5, 2 KOs) from Murcia, Spain – 117.2 lbs.
Welterweight – 4 rounds
Benjamin Johnson (professional debut) from Washington, DC – 147.4 lbs.
Michael Williams (2-2, 1 KO) from Las Vegas, Nevada – 147.6 lbs.
Super Flyweight – 4 rounds
Jordan Roach (professional debut) from Upper Marlboro, MD – 115 pounds
Luis Domingo Hernandez Cambero (15-13, 10 KOs) from Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic – 113.6 pounds
Junior lightweight – 8 rounds
Greg “Sharpshooter” Outlaw (14-2, 8 KOs) from Bowie, Maryland – 144 lbs.
Isidro Curiel (11-3-1, 6 KO) from Ciudad Madero, Mexico – 144.6 pounds
Lightweight – 4 rounds
Deric “Scooter” Davis (3-0, 3 KO) of Washington, DC – 135.4 pounds.
Matias Agustin-Arriagada (6-11, 3 KO) from Buenos Aires, Argentina – 132 pounds
Welterweight – 6 rounds
Travon Marshall (9-1, 8 KOs) from Landover, Maryland – 151.4 pounds
Luis Midyael Sanchez (9-5, 6 KOs) from San Juan, Puerto Rico – 156 lbs.
Lightweight – 4 rounds
Eric “El Toro” Hernandez (10-1, 5 KOs) of Ashburn, Virginia – 140.6 pounds
Jonathan Hernan Godoy (7-18, 1 KO) from Buenos Aires, Argentina – 142 lbs
Fights are subject to change.
Boxing
Liam Gallagher to Perform at Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois Fight
Published
3 hours agoon
June 28, 2024By
J. HumzaFormer Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher will perform ahead of Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight title fight with Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September, according to promoters Matchroom Boxing. announced on Friday.
Gallagher, who has built a successful solo career since parting ways with his brother Noel.
The fight will be Joshua’s first since defeating Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia via stunning second-round knockout in March.
Two-time world champion Joshua is riding a four-fight winning streak and is looking to regain his position as the top heavyweight contender.
Dubois won his last two fights, defeating Jarrell Miller in December and Filip Hrgovic on June 2. However, the clash with Joshua will be the biggest of the 26-year-old’s career so far.
“That’s what I strive for: to fight the best and be the best,” Dubois said at a news conference Wednesday.
“AJ has been the king for a long time and tonight I must become the kingslayer. That is my goal and mission that I must accomplish.
“I’m learning more about myself as a warrior, as a person, emerging from the darkness into the lightweight, improving as a warrior and an athlete. I’m ready for this and ready to act.”
With fights against Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury potentially on offer for the winner, Joshua insisted he had not overlooked Dubois.
“That’s right, next man up,” Joshua said. “Congrats to Daniel on winning his last fight. Dubois has been on my mind for a while now and I’ll be thinking about him for the next 12 weeks until I put my hand up.
“The goal is just to get through a successful training camp, perform at night, and the shiny things will come later.”
In the film published on social media regarding On Tuesday, undisputed world champion Usyk said he was relinquishing his IBF title as a “gift” to Joshua and Dubois – preparing them for their September 21 showdown.
Boxing
Estrada denies narrative of aging ahead of Rodriguez clash
Published
5 hours agoon
June 28, 2024By
J. HumzaWBC Super Flyweight Champion Juan Francisco Estrada is rejecting the narrative that he is antique and will lose his title to younger Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez this Saturday night, June 29th, during their headliner on DAZN at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Source: Amanda Westcott/Matchroom)
Estrada’s age and recent performances
Fans believe that the 34-year-old Estrada (44-3, 28 KOs) is too antique due to his performances in his last two fights, long career, many wars and a two-year break from the ring.
It’s not like Estrada’s age is too advanced to be considered a winner on Saturday. All that else put together, and he comes face to face with 24-year-old phenom “Bam” Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KO), who is currently in the prime of his career.
Estrada says he wants to continue fighting for some time and is interested in a fourth fight with his nemesis, Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, if he can capture the 118-pound bantamweight world title.
Estrada’s determination and plans for the future
“People sometimes disrespect fighters like me when they say, ‘Gallo Estrada is too antique,’” Juan Francisco Estrada said. “But on Saturday I’ll show that’s not true, and my career will continue to grow for a while.”
Estrada didn’t say what his plans would be if he lost to “Bam” Rodriguez and got knocked out. That’s the real question: Will he still want to continue his career if he gets beaten up badly and made to look antique? Estrada didn’t look good in his last fight against “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and Argi Cortes two years ago.
Estrada’s performances in both of those fights were far from the level that would have allowed him to win Saturday against Bam. He also cannot count on the judges to give him a questionable decision, as they did in his last two fights against Chocolatito and Argi.
Both of these guys beat Estrada in the eyes of many fans, but fell victim to controversial decisions. Bam is too popular for the judges to give him the compact end of the stick.
Rodriguez’s rising star
“You have already established yourself as a great competitor in this sport regardless of weight. Some would say that a win on Saturday would put you over the top with Inoue, Usyk Crawford and all the rest,” Eddie Hearn said during Thursday’s match last press conferencetalking about Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, who will face WBC super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada on Saturday night.
“These are the fights you want and these are the challenges you want. You’re ready for a wild night in Phoenix,” Hearn said.
“I may not show it, but this was the fight I was looking forward to the most in my entire career.
Feargal McCrory Belittles Lamont Roach’s Homecoming Glory; Washington DC Weights
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Jesse Rodriguez – Large Fight Preview and Predictions
On This Day: Thomas Hearns Flattens Roberto Duran
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