We previously mentioned that Vasyl Lomachenko has returned to the United States in preparation for his return to the ring in October, and we named a few potential opponents for him. One of those fighters is now all but confirmed, according to Mike Coppinger, who reports that Lomachenko and Jamaine Ortiz have agreed to terms for a late October fight.
Lomachenko and other high-profile Ukrainian boxers, including Oleksander Usyk, have returned to their hometown to help with territorial defense. The fighters are back, and Vasyl Lomachenko appears to be the next. October is still many months away, so Lomachenko might start a training camp and be ready for a fight by then.
“Late October” would imply either October 22 or October 29, the month’s final two Saturdays. The winner, who is expected to be Lomachenko, will be in line to face undisputed lightweight champion, Devin Haney, next year.
Return of Vasyl Lomachenko and Jamaine Ortiz
The 34-year-old Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KO) last fought in December, his boxing year delayed by the Ukrainian conflict. But, like his buddy and old Olympic teammate Oleksandr Usyk, who faces Anthony Joshua this Saturday in Saudi Arabia, Lomachenko has been encouraged and is doing so.
Ortiz (16-0-1, 8 KO) is a 26-year-old fighter from Massachusetts who is coming off a career-best and largest win against former 130-pound titleholder Jamel Herring on May 21. He also defeated Nahir Albright in February, capping off a solid year that included an eight-round tie with Joseph Adorno in 2021, a bout in which Ortiz boxed effectively at times but was dropped twice and forced to settle for a draw.
The Undefeated Record
Even compared to the Herring fight, this is a major step up for Ortiz, but it’s also a huge opportunity for him. He’s not a blue-chip prospect, and the view at Top Rank is that he’s probably as prepared as he’s going to get for this type of fight, which is a lovely way of saying they obviously don’t mind risking his undefeated record, which is another beautiful way of saying other things.
Coppinger also adds that in the co-feature, Robeisy Ramirez (10-1, 6 KO) will meet Jessie Magdaleno (29-1, 18 KO), which is a very strong matchup, and I don’t think you can argue with this as the top two of an ESPN card.
Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (16-2, 11KOs) will fight rising lightweight contender Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz in his comeback fight (16-0-1, 8KOs). The bout will take place on an undetermined date in October, which was previously stated as the target month for Lomachenko’s return.
LOMA FIGHTS WITH TITLE IMPLICATIONS
This is a crucial fight for both guys. However, this is especially true for Lomachenko, who is aiming to defeat undisputed lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (28-0, 15KOs) in 2023. Lomachenko will seek to extend his winning streak against Ortiz, an undefeated fighter coming off the biggest win of his career.
This fight will be crucial in judging Lomachenko’s mental fortitude as he brings the War on Ukraine into the ring with him. Ortiz boasts the same smooth boxing abilities as Haney, but with greater power and a willingness to mix it up on the inside. Ortiz will have the height edge against Lomachenko (5’7″), but it won’t be a massive size gap like when Loma faced the 5’11” Masayoshi Nakatani last June.
Lomachenko will be fighting for the first time in 2022 after defeating Richard Commey in a 12-round decision last December. Lomachenko won his second straight fight after losing his championships against Teofimo Lopez in a surprise 12 round decision in October 2020. Loma entered the bout with a ruptured right rotator cuff, which he subsequently had repaired.
A RISKY FIGHT FOR LOMACHENKO?
When you look at Ortiz, you see a talented young boxer with excellent boxing abilities and speed. He’s a sniper with superb timing and countering abilities, known as The Technician. He can also fight from a southpaw or an orthodox posture. Is he, however, truly prepared to face a fighter as brilliant and seasoned as Lomachenko? The majority will almost certainly reply no, and they may be correct.
However, with Lomachenko being 26 years old and coming off the greatest win of his career against a previous world champion, as well as carrying the weight of the War on Ukraine on his shoulders, it will be intriguing to watch if he rises to the occasion or wilts under the burden.
The location and date of the Lomachenko vs. Ortiz fight
On Tuesday, Lomachenko landed at Los Angeles International Airport to begin preparations for his October warm-up bout against the undefeated Ortiz (16-0-1, 8 KOs). The site and date of the Lomachenko vs. Ortiz bout have yet to be determined, but Top Rank should make an announcement shortly.
Fighting the unbeaten #7 WBC, #12 WBO Ortiz is a difficult tune-up bout, as he’s perhaps more talented than anybody Lomachenko has lately faced aside from Teofimo Lopez. Ortiz, 26, of Worcester, Massachusetts, is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision victory against former super featherweight champion Jamel Herring last May. Ortiz completely outmatched Herring, forcing him into retirement after the win.
Also read
- How did Syrian actress Antoinette Najib die? Cause of death Explained
- How did DAP founder Chen Man Hin die? Cause of death Explained
“Sources tell ESPN that Vasiliy Lomachenko and Jamaine Ortiz have reached an agreement for a lightweight bout in late October,” stated Mike Coppinger. “No venue for the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN main event has been decided, according to sources.”
In reaction to the current invasion, Lomachenko has been busy protecting his homeland, Ukraine, against Russia. Loma joined the territory defense brigade and has been keeping busy until deciding to return to the ring to prepare for a battle with Haney. Ortiz, a six-year pro, could be an ideal opponent for Lomachenko as he prepares for a championship opportunity against undefeated Haney next year (28-0, 15 KOs).
Follow us on Twitter
