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World War III At Mandalay Bay
By Igor Frank
Photos: William Trillo
Las Vegas- Super Welterweight knock-out artists Serhii
Bohachuk from Vinitza, Ukraine and Vergil Ortiz from
Grand Prairie, Texas waged a 12 round war of attrition
that is destined to remain in history books for years to
come. And when the final bell rang with the delirious
crowd on their feet, Vergil Ortiz (22-0, 21KO’s) was
announced a majority decision winner. Max Deluca scored
the fight 113-113 while the other judges scored the
fight 114-112 for Ortiz.
The nonstop action and sheer savagery of the fight left
me breathless, questioning what it is I like about the
sport. The truth is, that in spite of being an astute
observer of Sweet Science for many decades, I love the
pure violence. Prior to this contest we reminisced about
past memorable battles that took place at Mandalay Bay,
one of them being the fight of the decade between Diego
Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo. Saturday nights brawl
was on that level. Although it lacked a dramatic ending,
it produced controversy, something that boxing fans
love. Serhii Bohachuk scored two official knock downs in
a closely contested battle and still lost the fight. His
promoter Tom Loeffler was livid: “Look at his face ,” he
exclaimed pointing at Vergil Ortiz, “and two knockdowns,
and they still took it from him!”
Both combatants were taken to a hospital as a
precautionary measure. This was mandated by Nevada State
athletic commission.
As Vergil Ortiz predicted there would be no feeling out
round. They went at it from the opening bell, toe to
toe, punch for punch. Ortiz found himself on the canvas
in the middle of the very first stanza, but referee
Harvey Dock ruled it a slip. It was later reviewed and
called a knockdown because the Ukrainian monster landed
a right hand on the temple of Vergil Ortiz .
They could have fought the first four rounds in a phone
booth. It was beautiful and brutal, and while Ortiz had
much success landing his hooks to the body, Bohachuk was
firing, straight right hands and was giving as good as
he was getting.
In the eighth, Ortiz slipped on the sign of the canvas,
and this time referee called that a knockdown in spite
of Vergil’s protests. It only inspired Texas banger to
up the aggression if it was even possible. The last four
rounds were awe inspiring. Ortiz won both championship
rounds on all three judges’ scorecards and sealed his
victory.
This has been what we have been fighting for since I was
five years old,” said Vergil Ortiz, Jr. “Straight from
school, go to the gym, do my homework and get straight
to work. When I went pro, it was all day business – 24/7
boxing and it has finally paid off. The first knockdown,
I didn’t feel like it was a true knockdown, I felt like
I hit his shoe, but the second one really was one. I
feel like I did enough to win this fight. I proved
everyone wrong. Everyone was saying that I’m washed,
that I can’t fight at 154, or that I can’t go the
distance. All of that fueled me. I am the best in the
world now.”
His opponent saw it differently.
People saw this fight today, and the real boxing fans
who watched this fight know what happened tonight,” said
Serhii Bohachuk. “I am feeling great. I knocked him down
twice. I want to support my country, Ukraine, I want to
say thank you to all the fans for all the support.”
Talks about Ortiz facing Bud Crawford began even before
this fight, but in my view this bout deserves a rematch.
Undercard Results from Mandalay Bay
Conwell vs. Gray
Super welter contender Charles Conwell(20-0,15 KO’s)
from Cleveland ,Ohio continued his winning ways with a
devastating left hook to the body of his opponent Khiary
Gray (1-7,13 KO’s) who went down like a sack of
potatoes. The referee waved off the contest at 2:38 of
second round.
“I think the casual fans will know me now because I have
been doing what I have been doing showing that these
guys don’t belong in the ring with me,” said Charles
Conwell. “I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy fight
for him the moment that he signed up for it. I feel like
the 154-lb is my division, we’re coming after the bigger
fights.Give me all the big names.”
Sims Jr. vs. Romero
Super-lightweight prospect from Chicago , Simms Jr
(21-2-1, 8 KO’s) seemed to have every advantage in the
ring against his late replacement opponent from
Colombia, Jonathan Romero(35-5,19 KO’s),Still , it took
five rounds of continuous assault to prove it Romero’s
corner asked referee to stop the fight in between rounds
five and six.
“I felt like I was making my professional debut again,”
said Kenneth Sims Jr. “It was great to be in the ring
again after so long – sparring is sparring, and to be
inside a real fight was something I was really happy
about and I felt great in being able to get my groove
back and catch my distance with my gloves laced up
again. I am paying attention to the division, and there
are some incredible fights for me at super lightweight –
Jose Ramirez, Arnold Barboza, etc…. I’ll be watching!”
Fundora vs. Asenjo
While Gabriella Fundora attacked her opponent in the
ring a bloody fist fight broke out outside in the
stands. And while the street fight ended in a knock out
and the loser getting carried out on the stretcher, IBF
flyweight champion Fundora (14-0,6 KO’s) had to settle
for a decision. Gabriella Fundora dominated her
opponent, Daniela Asenjo from the opening bell. All
three judges scored the fight 100-90. “Undisputed is
next for me, said Gabriella Fundora:” I want to break
the record for the youngest undisputed champion.”
Irarte vs. Ortiz
In the opening bout televised by DAZN Highly touted
Welterweight Prospect from Bakersfield, California, Joel
Iriarte (4-0,4 KO’s) Wasted little time to destroy his
opponent Miguel Ortiz (3-2,1 KO). Referee waved off the
fight at 2:15 of the very first stanza following two
fisted assault which resulted in defenseless Ortiz being
trapped against the ropes.
Braekhus vs. Cornejo
In the main event of the preliminary bouts the first
lady of Boxing Cecillia Braekhus (38-2-1,9 KO’s)
returned to her winning ways with a hard-fought
unanimous decision over Maricela Cornejo. Left hook
knock down in the fifth stanza, sealed the deal for the
former champion. All three judges scored the fight
96-93.
“It feels amazing to get the belt back,” said Cecilia
Braekhus. “She is a tough fighter and has faced the best
in the divisions she has fought in. I knew I had to show
no fear and even though she is powerful, I am powerful
too. I am going to party in Las Vegas until tomorrow
morning with my new belt and fly home to Norway to
celebrate there because this is a huge win for the
Norwegian people. And once the dust settles, I will
figure out the best plan forward with Tom Loeffler and
Johnathan Banks.”
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