After almost a 12 months out of motion that noticed him take up arms in protection of his native Ukraine, Vasiliy Lomachenko returned to the ring on Saturday night time. It was not simple, however Lomachenko managed to face up to a gutsy problem from Jamaine Ortiz to doubtlessly earn a shot at Devin Haney and the undisputed light-weight championship.
Ortiz entered the combat as an enormous underdog however got here out robust, profiting from Lomachenko’s tendency to begin fights slowly. At the purpose the place Lomachenko usually begins to amp up his offensive manufacturing, Ortiz nonetheless largely managed the tempo of the combat, holding Lomachenko from absolutely getting snug.
Ortiz’s strong gameplan, one that will have been knowledgeable by weeks spent as Lomachenko’s sparring accomplice up to now, confirmed up within the punch stats the place Lomachenko landed energy punches at a far decrease clip and was hit extra usually than all through his storied profession.
However, Ortiz’s high-output all through the combat compromised him within the late rounds as Lomachenko was capable of take the combat over late as Ortiz appeared to fatigue. In addition, a number of exhausting proper palms from Lomachenko left Ortiz’s left eye swollen.
After 12 shut rounds of motion, Lomachenko took the combat on all three official scorecards by scores of 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111.
The win was the third straight for Lomachenko after dropping a combat for 3 world titles to Teofimo Lopez Jr. in October 2020.
It was anticipated {that a} win would place Lomachenko to battle Haney for all 4 world titles. Haney was in attendance for the combat and each males had been within the ring following the bout, with Lomachenko once more saying he would comply with any phrases to land the combat.
“Look, I’m prepared,” Lomachenko mentioned. “I advised you earlier than I’m prepared for any choice.”
Haney, who went to Australia to win the belts from George Kambosos after which needed to return to Australia for the rematch, has repeatedly mentioned that he would solely take fights that he felt made sense on the negotiating desk.
“That’s what I like to listen to,” Haney mentioned. “I took the danger and went over to Australia twice. … We’ll see the way it goes within the negotiating.”
