What an evening of boxing followers had final night time, in two areas. In Las Vegas, we would simply have witnessed the 2024 Struggle of the Yr, this as Vergil Ortiz and Serhii Bohachuk engaged in an absolute slugfest over 12 thrilling rounds.
Sadly, we can also have seen probably the most controversial choice of the yr, as loads of individuals are screaming the ‘R’ phrase proper now, saying 5/1 underdog (in some locations) Bohachuk was denied a victory he earned by means of a theft.
The clamour for these two 154 pounders to run it again and do it once more, in a right away rematch, not one someplace down the highway, is big proper now. Each Bohachuk, who misplaced his WBC interim belt and is now 24-2(23), and Ortiz, who’s now 22-0(21), went to the hospital after their 12 spherical battle.
The motion was spellbinding, and the addition of immediate replay performed an element within the scoring of the combat. The flash knockdown Bohachuk scored within the opening spherical was initially missed, however immediate replay noticed that issues had been put proper. Bohachuk scored one other knockdown in spherical eight, and this, his workforce argue, ought to have made certain he bought the choice.
As an alternative, Ortiz bought the win through majority choice, the scores being 114-112, 114-114, and 113-113. Each warriors gave their all in a fantastic combat – once more a real FOTY candidate right here in August – and a rematch makes a lot sense, on all ranges. T
right here was speak earlier than final night time’s combat of Ortiz, if he gained, going right into a combat with Terence Crawford. That combat will possible have to attend now. Turki Alalshikh himself has mentioned he desires to see Ortiz and Bohachuk combat a rematch earlier than they combat anyone else.
Over in Albuquerque, New Mexico, former 122 pound champ Angelo Leo could nicely have scored the KO of the Yr, whereas on the similar time pulling off the Upset of the Yr. Leo starched defending IBF featherweight champ Luis Alberto Lopez with a depraved left hook to the top in spherical 10 of their backwards and forwards combat. The left hook dropped Lopez closely onto his again and he had no likelihood of beating the ten rely.
Now 25-1(12), Leo units himself up for some large fights. Lopez, now 30-3(17) had been speaking earlier than final night time’s combat of his need to welcome Naoya Inoue to the 126 pound ranks sooner or later, and of his confidence of with the ability to defeat “The Monster” if and when the combat befell. Now, courtesy of among the best, the sweetest left hooks you will notice this yr, these plans have vanished.
All in all, a very dramatic, thrilling, and unpredictable night time of boxing. With, in fact, some controversy thrown in for good measure.
