Middleweight Title Fight Canceled; Super Welterweight Sizzler Announced by Golden Boy

Middleweight Title Fight Canceled; Super Welterweight Sizzler Announced by Gold

Big news today.

World middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly was forced to withdraw from his title defense against Andrei Mikhailovich tomorrow in Las Vegas. Alimkhanuly, the IBF and WBO belt-holder, feinted last night and was transported to a local hospital where it was discovered that he was severely dehydrated and unfit to fight. The lightweight scrap featuring Raymond Muratalla and Tevin Farmer has been elevated to the main event.

Meanwhile, a sizzling super welterweight clash between interim WBC titlist Serhii Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) and knockout specialist Vergil Ortiz Jr. (21-0, 21 KOs) was announced by Golden Boy Promotions on Thursday. It will take place on August, 10 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Expect a knockout and nothing else when they meet next month.

Ukraine’s Bohachuk grabbed the title with a unanimous decision win over Brian Mendoza last March in Las Vegas. It was a surprise to many who knew very little about the fighter known as “El Flaco.”

Until March 30, Bohachuk had never heard the final bell. All of his victories and one loss were via knockout. He disdains judgements. But against Mendoza, who had knocked out current WBO and WBC super welterweight titlist Sebastian Fundora, the lanky Ukrainian slugger out-battled the American fighter to win by unanimous decision.

It’s the only time Bohachuk was not involved in a knockout.

Ortiz, the lanky Texan from Grand Prairie, has never participated in a pro fight that ended in a decision. Every contest he entered has ended with someone going to sleep. He is extremely prejudiced against judgements.

Both Ortiz and Bohachuk are familiar with each other. At one time both were trained by Manny Robles and sparred more than a few times.

“Sparring is different. It’s not the same,” said Bohachuk, adding that he wants to win this for his embattled country Ukraine.

Lately, Ukrainian fighters have enjoyed winning streaks in world title fights with Oleksandr Usyk, Vasyl Lomachenko and Denys Berinchyk emerging victorious. Will Bohachuk become the next world champion?

“I can’t wait to give Ukraine an opportunity to show a lot of pride. It’s going to be a war,” Bohachuk said.

Ortiz, always calm and collected, seemed relieved that a world title fight had finally arrived for him.

“Come August 10, you know it’s going to be a good fight. I don’t think guys understand this is going to be a war,” emphasized Ortiz adding that he also signed a new contract with Golden Boy Promotions. “I am so grateful.”

Oscar De La Hoya, CEO of Golden Boy, likens this match to those in the vibrant 1990s when battles between fierce warriors were common.

“These guys have 45 fights between them. They have ended 43 of them by knockout. This is a guaranteed, action-packed barnburner that fans are not going to want to miss,” said De La Hoya. “Don’t blink.”

Tom Loeffler, head of 360 Promotions that backs Bohachuk, said this fight exemplifies why people love boxing.

“You know, there’s been a lot of criticisms on boxing, like, what’s wrong with boxing, but this fight here, is going to show, what’s right with boxing,” Loeffler said.

Tickets are now on sale. It will also be streamed by DAZN.

Photo credit: Al Applerose

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