BY BOXING HIT STAFF-
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has recently announced that Serhii Bohachuk will be added to the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk II card scheduled for December 21st in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While Bohachuk’s opponent has not yet been disclosed, it is anticipated that he will be facing a highly-ranked contender.
Bohachuk, a former WBC interim junior middleweight champion, suffered a twelve-round majority decision loss to Vergil Ortiz Jr. on August 10th in a closely contested battle in Las Vegas. Despite his desire for a rematch, Vergil Ortiz Jr. opted not to give Bohachuk another chance to reclaim his title.
Turki Alalshikh is known for putting together competitive match-ups on his fight cards, indicating that Bohachuk is likely to face a formidable opponent. Although Bohachuk may have deterred some of the top 15 contenders in the 154-pound division, the prospect of lucrative financial incentives from Turki could entice a highly-ranked fighter to step up and face Bohachuk. Ideally, a rematch with Vergil Ortiz Jr. would have been the preferred option, but it seems unlikely as Ortiz has his sights set on a showdown with Terence Crawford.
In the aftermath of his loss to Vergil Ortiz Jr., Bohachuk finds himself in a position to remain relevant in the boxing landscape by being included in major events such as the upcoming card featuring Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. While a rematch with Ortiz would have made sense from a competitive standpoint, it appears that Ortiz is not interested in facing Bohachuk again.
The reluctance of Vergil Ortiz Jr. to engage in a rematch with Bohachuk could be attributed to the fact that Bohachuk proved to be a resilient opponent who could withstand Ortiz’s power punches and deliver his own in return. This unwillingness to face a tough challenge is evident in Ortiz’s demeanor post-fight, where he seemed reluctant to engage in a second encounter with Bohachuk.
Paulie Malignaggi, a former boxer turned analyst, expressed his disappointment at the missed opportunity for a Ortiz-Bohachuk rematch, highlighting the significance of keeping Bohachuk active and relevant in the boxing scene. The question remains as to who Bohachuk will face next, with Malignaggi suggesting a potential matchup against Israil Madrimov, another fighter coming off a contentious loss.
As Bohachuk looks towards his next bout, the boxing community eagerly anticipates an announcement regarding his opponent. Given Turki Alalshikh’s track record of securing competitive fights for his events, it is unlikely that Bohachuk will be handed a “stay-busy” fight. Instead, he is likely to face a challenging opponent who will test his skills and resilience in the ring.
One intriguing option for Bohachuk could be a showdown against Israil Madrimov, creating a matchup between two fighters looking to bounce back from recent losses. The competitive nature of such a fight, coupled with the level of skill both fighters possess, promises an exciting encounter for boxing fans.
Serhii Bohachuk’s inclusion on the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk II card adds an element of intrigue and excitement to the event. As the boxing world awaits the announcement of Bohachuk’s opponent, the potential for a high-stakes, competitive matchup underscores the commitment to quality fights that Turki Alalshikh brings to the table.
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