The fight in Nevada’s Michelob Ultra Arena has class stamped on it. But such sterling performances often extract a price, mostly from the duelists. The unbeaten phenom, Vergil Ortiz Jr., met his third opponent of the year in Serhii Bohachuk. The fight was for the Ukrainian’s interim light middleweight title. Given his 100% KO record, one might have expected the Grand Prairie-born Ortiz Jr. to scale through the fight with relative ease. And how wrong he and his team were proved. As the rounds progressed, it became clear: Bohachuk came to fight.

Given the toll such a pursuit takes on the body, it is often better to get a medical checkup done to rule out any dangers caused by internal injuries, especially those to the head. Both Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Serhii Bohachuk left for the hospital for a review. Their conspicuous absence at the post-fight press conference didn’t go unnoticed by the members of the media. Finally, it took Ortiz Jr’s, trainer Robert Garcia, and Bohachuk’s promoter Tom Loeffler to shed some light on the two boxers’ whereabouts.

Safety First: Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Serhii Bohachuk and the Medical Protocols

“Vergil is fine, but, uh the the Nevada commission told us that it’s best for him to go get checked in the hospital,” said Robert Garcia while speaking with the reporters. He further explained that under the commission-mandated precaution, the medical staff took the new light middleweight Interim title holder to the ambulance. But, otherwise, Ortiz Jr. felt fine and was able to walk on his own.

Considering how the fight eventually evolved, the procedure was a standard requirement, Garcia added. On the other hand, it appears that Team Bohachuk has yet to reconcile with the final decision. Like many fans, they perhaps felt that with the two knockdowns that he scored, the Ukrainian boxer had done enough to claim a legitimate victory. But sadly, as it happened, things didn’t turn out the way they wanted.

However, the team is still going to celebrate a victory, said Serhii Bohachuk’s promoter, Tom Loeffler. “In our hearts and Serhii knows that he is a champion,” he stressed. According to him, the now-former light middleweight champion wanted to be present at the press conference. However, he had to change the plan. Given the state athletic commission’s mandatory stipulations regarding boxers undergoing medical reviews, Bohachuk too had to follow Ortiz Jr.’s suit and proceed for a checkup. “But the commission mandated that he go get the precautionary CT scan,” added Loeffler.

All those who felt the fight would be a walk in the park for Vergil Ortiz Jr. were taken in by a huge surprise. Unlike other underdogs, who might have been overwhelmed fighting a known knockout artist like Ortiz Jr., Serhii Bohachuk was hardly shaken, determined not to give the challenger undue respect.

Let’s go to war!

What followed were 12 rounds of grueling tests. Sitting on the edge of their seats, fans saw both boxers in the middle of the ring. Ortiz Jr. found answers in body shots. But Bohachuk pushed through nonetheless. The Ukrainian, in turn, made effective use of his jabs to keep the American boxer at a distance. Then, when he found an opening, ‘El Flaco’ tried connecting with straight rights. But the Grand Prairie-born fighter proved an elusive target. Making use of his lateral and head movements, Ortiz Jr. managed to stave off an unimaginable upset.

But still, Serhii Bohachuk found his mark in the first and eighth rounds, sending Vergil Ortiz Jr. down to the canvas. In the first round, after receiving a straight right, Ortiz Jr. went down. He got up quickly, and referee Harvey Dock treated it as a slip. The decision, however, was overruled. In the eighth round, Bohachuk’s left hook again saw Ortiz Jr. touch the canvas. This time, Dock came with a count.

But thereafter, the Texan turned the tables on the Ukrainian. Going full-blast, Vergil Ortiz Jr. started applying pressure. Perhaps that’s when he turned the game in his favor. The WBC’s new interim light middleweight has called out Terence Crawford. Many fans would be eagerly watching out, keeping their fingers crossed, hoping the dream match-up makes it to the ring for good.

What are your thoughts on the Vergil Ortiz Jr.-Serhii Bohachuk clash? Do you also feel that the Ukrainian fighter did enough to deserve a win?