The recent fight between WBC interim junior middleweight champion Vergil Ortiz and WBA champ Terence Crawford has sparked controversy in the boxing world. Promoter Oscar De La Hoya has confirmed that he plans to push for a unification fight between the two champions after Ortiz’s twelve-round majority decision win over Serhii Bohachuk. Despite the victory, there are questions surrounding the outcome of the fight.
During the fight, Vergil Ortiz was dropped twice by Bohachuk in rounds one and eight. While there are arguments that these knockdowns were the result of slips, they still counted against Ortiz. The judges’ decision to award Ortiz the win, despite appearing to have lost several rounds, has raised eyebrows within the boxing community. It is clear that these knockdowns played a significant role in the outcome of the fight.
De La Hoya has defended Ortiz’s victory, stating that he believes Vergil won the fight. He emphasized that Ortiz was the one pressing the fight throughout the night, despite facing a tough opponent in Bohachuk. While De La Hoya’s loyalty to Ortiz is commendable, it is important to acknowledge the impact of the knockdowns on the final decision.
It is fair to say that Vergil Ortiz may have received a gift from the judges based on his marketability rather than his performance in the ring. The decision to award him the victory over Bohachuk has drawn comparisons to other controversial boxing matches, such as Devin Haney vs. Vasily Lomachenko. It is crucial for the integrity of the sport that decisions are based on performance rather than popularity.
Despite the controversy surrounding his win, Vergil Ortiz now faces the decision of whether to fight Terence Crawford next for a unification bout. De La Hoya has expressed his support for this matchup, signaling his intention to make it happen. The boxing world eagerly anticipates the outcome of this potential clash of champions.
The victory of Vergil Ortiz over Serhii Bohachuk has sparked debate within the boxing community. While his win may have been clouded by controversy, Ortiz now stands on the verge of a unification bout with Terence Crawford. Only time will tell if Ortiz can prove himself as a true champion in the ring.