Vasyl Lomachenko returned with a win last night, inflicting the first loss on Jamaine Ortiz’s record in New York.
‘Loma’ would pick up a unanimous decision, with scorecards reading 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111, but Ortiz gave him a harder time than what the scorecards suggested.
In a fight that Lomachenko was supposed to win, Ortiz looked the better man in the early rounds, as his intense work rate and heavy punches would bewilder the Ukrainian. Ortiz also possessed a three-and-a-half-inch reach advantage, which he would use in his favour.
‘Loma’ knew he had to increase his work rate, and did so as the bout progressed, as he began to land shots that were carrying weight.
Ortiz was sharp and agile throughout, but his inexperience began to show as he slowed down in later rounds, giving ‘Loma’ an advantage as they entered the later rounds.
The Ukrainian finished strongly, as he surged forward on his front foot and start reminding fans why he is so popular, as he threw combinations in bunches and kept a high pace up to the final bell.
.@VasylLomachenko showed heart, skill, and everything in between tonight. @BoostMobile x #LomaOrtizpic.twitter.com/huS8IqotFN
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 30, 2022
Following the bout, Lomachenko heaped praise on Ortiz, but his attention soon turned to the man entering the ring, undisputed lightweight champion, Devin Haney, who is coming off a victory over George Kambosos Jr.
The Ukrainian has expressed his desire to become world champion again, and Haney would be happy to oblige, as Haney said:
“I think it wasn’t the best performance, but I know if me and Loma were to fight, we’d see a better version on the night. Congratulations, and hopefully we can get it on.”
Haney vs Lomachenko would be an incredible bout and we hope it comes to fruition, but Ortiz should also be applauded for his wonderful performance last night in New York.