Vasyl Lomachenko Claims a Hard-fought UD Over Jamaine Ortiz!
In a pivotal lightweight matchup, three-division world champion Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (17-2, 11KOs) and unbeaten contender Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (16-1-1, 8KOs) locked horns.
This bout would mark the first of the year for Lomachenko. The former unified champion hadn’t fought since his one-sided win over former IBF lightweight champion Richard Commey last December. Between then and now, the Ukrainian fighter has been heavily occupied with his country’s ongoing war with Russia. The forced break from his career would cost him an opportunity to face then-unified lightweight champion George Kambosos. Ranked #1 (WBO), #3 (IBF), #1 (WBC) and #4 (WBA), a win would put Hi-Tech on course to face undisputed champion Devin Haney.
While full of confidence, Ortiz enters this fight as a significant underdog. His previous fight, against former WBO junior lightweight champion Jamel Herring, is the biggest win of his career. In that bout, he proved that he was indeed ready for the next level. With that, the opportunity to face Lomachenko came knocking. Ranked #12 (WBO) and #8 (WBC), Ortiz was out to nurture his case for a future world title opportunity.
THE UNDERDOG COMES OUT SHARP!
Jamaine Ortiz came out extremely sharp, utilizing his jab and firing off quick combinations to the head and body. In particular, it was a quick left hook to the head and a right hook to the body of Hi-Tech, who didn’t provide much fire in return. Ortiz kept his momentum going in round number two as he bruised Lomachenko’s left eye with a left hook.
In round four, The Technician really tried to make a statement as he let his hands go. He ripped hard shots to the head and body as the two engaged in a phonebooth battle. Lomachenko was able to build some momentum in round five with some nice straight left hands that snapped the head of Ortiz back!
Going into the middle rounds, Ortiz consistently take the fight to Lomachenko. Hi-Tech appeared to be somewhat bewildered by the speed and power of his younger adversary. However, the former unified lightweight champion would build and keep momentum from rounds nine through twelve with thudding body shots and hard combinations up top.
Vasyl Lomachenko was declared the winner by unanimous decision after a truly close and competitive fight. Both men had swelling under their left eyes after twelve hard-fought rounds. The scores were 115-113, 116-112, and 117-111.
With the win, a showdown with undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney appears to be next. As for Ortiz, he proved that he’s a worthy and legitimate contender moving forward. It’ll be interesting to see who he locks horns with in his next fight.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
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