Serhii Bohachuk’s promoter, Tom Loeffler, voiced his dissatisfaction with his fighter losing the WBC interim junior middleweight title in a contentious 12-round majority decision against Vergil Ortiz Jr. Loeffler believed that the judges’ scoring was unjust, arguing that Bohachuk’s two knockdowns should have secured him the victory, particularly given his status as the champion.
Knockdowns Not Enough
Despite scoring two knockdowns, Bohachuk ultimately lost on the scorecards, with two judges favoring Ortiz by a narrow margin. Loeffler emphasized the importance of knockdowns in close fights and expressed disappointment that it did not sway the decision in Bohachuk’s favor.
The 12th round of the bout raised eyebrows, with all three judges awarding it to Vergil Ortiz Jr. Loeffler highlighted Bohachuk’s dominance in that round, pointing out his opponent’s visible fatigue and injuries. The decision to halt the fight momentarily for Ortiz’s damaged tape benefited him, allowing him to recuperate and finish the fight stronger.
Given the controversial nature of the decision, there has been speculation about a potential rematch between Bohachuk and Ortiz. Loeffler suggested that pursuing a rematch with the support of the WBC could be a viable option to address the scoring discrepancies in their initial encounter.
The fallout from the WBC interim junior middleweight title fight between Serhii Bohachuk and Vergil Ortiz Jr. has stirred debate within the boxing community. Tom Loeffler’s criticism of the judges’ decision sheds light on the subjective nature of scoring in professional boxing, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness in determining the outcome of fights. Whether a rematch materializes remains to be seen, but the controversy surrounding this bout is sure to linger in the minds of fans and pundits alike.