Avila Perspective, Chap. 291: Vergil Ortiz and Serhii Bohachuk Hate Decisions

Avila Perspective, Chap. 291: Vergil Ortiz and Serhii Bohachuk Hate Decisions

These dudes don’t like judges.

In a combined 46 pro fights involving Serhii Bohachuk and Vergil Ortiz Jr., only one ended in a decision.

It’s safe to say these dudes are prejudiced against judges.

“This fight might end in the first or second round,” said Oscar De La Hoya who knows a thing or two about these type of conflicts.

When Ukraine’s Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) defends the interim WBC super welterweight title against Texas slugger Ortiz (21-0, 21 KOs) at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, Aug. 10, in a match streamed on DAZN.

Don’t expect a 12-round fight. Keep your eyes glued to the action.

We’re in an era in boxing that fighters seek to protect their records and rarely face off against dangerous opponents.

Fights like these don’t come often. They’re rare.

The first time I ever saw a match like this took place at the Inglewood Forum when Carlos Zarate (45-0, 45 KOs) fought Alfonso Zamora (29-0, 29 KOs) on April 23, 1977. I was a starving student at UCLA but I spent my rent money buying a ticket for the fight. It was chaotic and one of the most memorable sports moments I ever saw. And I was at the Kirk Gibson homer in game 1 of the 1988 World Series.

People still ask me about that fight.

Mexico’s Zarate was in another fight like that the following year when he fought Puerto Rico’s great Wilfredo Gomez. Combined they had 73 knockouts in 74 fights. That ended in Gomez stopping Zarate in the fifth. One knockdown came after the bell.

Mexicans were mad and didn’t get their revenge until Salvador Sanchez met Gomez in 1981 in Las Vegas. The late great Mexican fighter ended Gomez’s knockout streak at 32 knockouts. Sanchez had only 30 knockouts in 40 fights but scored knockout number 31 that night at Caesars Palace.

There have been others, but not many at the elite level.

Bohachuk has only heard the final bell once and that was his last fight when he defeated Brian Mendoza by unanimous decision for the title. But that fighter had never been stopped despite fighting Tim Tszyu, Sebastian Fundora and Jeison Rosario.

Ortiz has never heard the final bell. It’s foreign to his ears.

The Texas slugger zeroes in for the kill like a laser-guided cruise missile. He finds a weakness and hammers away until the opponent is unable to continue.

Both are skilled assassins and at one time shared the same trainer Manny Robles and same gym. They also sparred several times.

“Sparring is sparring,” says Bohachuk. “Fights are different.”

Ortiz makes no predictions.

“Weve sparred before. I don’t think there’s going to be a feeling-out round,” said Ortiz.

Few if any predict anything but a knockout.

Despite their prejudices toward decisions, don’t expect the judges to complain about Bohachuk and Ortiz. They love knockouts too.

Other Bouts

Charles Conwell was recently signed by Golden Boy and they might have uncovered a rare gem. He’s one of those fighters under the radar that could quickly race to a world title match.

Conwell (19-0, 14 KOs) faces Khiary Gray (18-6, 13 KOs) in a super welterweight fight set for 10 rounds.

Future Hall of Fame candidate Cecilia Braekhus (37-2-1, 9 KOs) meets Maricela Cornejo (19-6, 7 KOs) in a 10-round fight for the interim WBC super welterweight title. Both are friends but when scheduled opponent Ema Kozin was unable to obtain a visa, Cornejo quickly consented to the fight despite recently fighting three weeks ago. It’s the third time Cornejo saved a female fight from not happening.

Gabriela Fundora (13-0, 9 KOs) defends the IBF flyweight title against Daniela Asenjo (16-3-3) of Chile.

Fights to Watch (all times Pacific)

Sat., Aug 10, DAZN, 5:00: Serhii Bohachuk (24-1) vs. Vergil Ortiz (23-0)

Sat., Aug. 10, ESPN, 7:00: Luis “Venado” Lopez (30-2) vs. Angelo Leo (24-1)

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE