Lomachenko defeats Ortiz in New York

Undefeated lightweight Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (16-1-1, 8 KOs) nearly ruined former three-division world champion Vasiliy “Loma” Lomachenko’s (17-2, 11 KOs) return to the ring Saturday night before a crowd of 4,586 inside the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Ortiz gave the favorite Loma 25:1 all sorts of early problems with his speed and mobility.

The former champion quickly had noticeable bruises under his right eye. After six rounds, Ortiz was gaining two points on one card and the other two were tied. However, after that, two of the judges had Lomachenko sweeping the final six rounds and all three had Loma pulling away to win 115-113, 116-112, 117-111.

“I’m happy. I’m happy to get back in the ring and make this a great show. Thank you to my fans for the support,” Lomachenko said afterward. “Do you know what motivated me? Four belts! … Look, I’m ready. I’m ready for any option.”

Undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney was in attendance. “I don’t think it was the best performance,” Haney said, “but I know if Loma and I fought, we’d see a better version that night. Congratulations, and hopefully we can do it.”

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum stated, “The fight to do in the lightweight division is Haney vs. Lomachenko, and we will do our best to achieve the undisputed championship showdown that every fight fan wants to see. They are the best lightweight in the world and it would be a fantastic battle.”

In the co-headliner, WBO #3 featherweight Robeisy Ramirez (11-1, 7 KOs), a two-volume Olympic gold medalist, stopped late backup Jose Matias Romero (26-3, 9 KOs) in the ninth round. Ramirez knocked Romero down in the first round, then sailed for seven working rounds before reeling Romero and getting the referee’s stop in the ninth round. The time was 2:20. Ramirez can now face #1 Isaac Dogboe for the WBO belt when reigning champion Emanuel Navarrete climbs to 130.

Undefeated 2020 Olympic super heavyweight silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (4-0, 4 KOs) scored a third-round KO against Ahmed Hefny (13-3, 5 KOs). Torrez knocked down Hefny in rounds one and two, then got the stoppage after another crash in round three. The time was 2:32.

Undefeated 2020 Olympic silver medalist Duke Ragan (8-0, 1 KO) made an eight-round unanimous decision against Luis Lebron (18-5-1, 11 KOs) in a welterweight jr bout. Regan survived the buzz in the seventh round to win with scores of 77-75, 78-74, 79-73.

Undefeated middleweight Nico Ali Walsh (7-0, 5 KOs), grandson of the all-time great Muhammad Ali, had to work harder than expected to make a unanimous six-round decision over little-known Billy Wagner (5-3, 1 KOs). The scores were 58-56, 58-56, 59-55.

Undefeated 2020 Olympic welterweight Tiger Johnson (6-0, 4 KOs) was six against Esteban Garcia (15-2, 7 KOs). Scores were 60-54 3x for Tiger.

Undefeated 2020 Olympic middleweight Troy Isley (8-0, 4 KOs) defeated Quincy Lavallais (14-4-1, 9 KOs) in eight rounds with scores of 79-73, 80-72, 80-72.

Undefeated lightweight Abdullah Mason (5-0, 4 KOs) stopped previously undefeated Angel Barrera (4-1, 0 KOs). Mason knocked Barrera down twice in the third round and got the referee’s stop in: 21 of the fourth round.

Undefeated lightweight jr Haven Brady Jr (8-0, 4 KOs) outscored Eric Mondragon (7-1-1, 4 KOs) in eight rounds with scores of 78-74, 79-73, 79-73.