Vasiliy Lomachenko and Jamaine Ortiz have agreed to a deal for a lightweight fight that's targeted for late October, sources told ESPN.
No site has been finalized for the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN main event, sources said.
Lomachenko, formerly ESPN's pound-for-pound No. 1 boxer, last competed in December, recording a unanimous decision victory over Richard Commey. He agreed to a deal for a fight against George Kambosos for four lightweight belts in June, but instead elected to remain in Ukraine when Russia invaded.
The 34-year-old even joined a territorial defense battalion, as did his good friend, heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, who meets Anthony Joshua in a rematch on Saturday.
On Tuesday, Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KOs) arrived in Los Angeles to begin training camp in pursuit of the undisputed lightweight championship. Devin Haney stepped in when Lomachenko stayed in Ukraine and went on to soundly outpoint Kambosos in Australia to capture the undisputed 135-pound championship.
Haney and Kambosos are set for an Oct. 15 rematch in Melbourne, Australia, on ESPN, and the winner could be lined up for a defense vs. Lomachenko next year.
In the meantime, Lomachenko will prepare for the potential summit meeting with a matchup against Ortiz (16-0-1, 8 KOs), who broke out with a unanimous decision victory over Jamel Herring in May that led to the former champion's retirement.
The 26-year-old from Worcester, Massachusetts, has never faced anyone close to Lomachenko's level, and even the Herring fight was a quantum leap in competition. Ortiz's lone blemish is an eight-round draw with Joseph Adorno last year.
Lomachenko, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, lost his three lightweight titles to Teofimo Lopez in 2020 and subsequently underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. He's rated No. 2 at lightweight and No. 9 in pound-for-pound rankings.
Last edited by Ruthless-RKO on 16 Sep 2022, 05:15, edited 5 times in total.
Earlier today Boxing Scene's Jake Donovan confirmed an ESPN report that former three-division champion Vasiliy Lomachenko (16-2) will return to the ring against Jamaine Ortiz (16-0-1) on an ESPN platform on October 22nd or 29th.
Lomachenko has been defending his country of Ukraine against Russia in their conflict that began several months ago. He was last in the ring in December when he outpointed former lightweight champion Richard Commey.
Boxing Scene has also learned that two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez (10-1) will take up a step up in class in a fight that may potentially land as the co-featured bout of the evening - although there is a possibility that it may head to another date. Standing across the ring from him will be former super bantamweight champion Jessie Magdaleno (29-1).
After losing his pro debut, Ramirez has reeled off 10 consecutive victories. His most impressive win came in his most recent outing against the previously unbeaten Abraham Nova (21-1). Ramirez stopped him in the 5th round of their showdown.
Magdaleno captured the WBO super bantamweight title in 2016 when he defeated Nonito Donaire via unanimous decision. He returned to action with a points victory over Edy Valencia Mercado in May after a nearly two-year ring absence. His only professional loss occurred in 2018 versus Isaac Dogboe.
I think that Lomachenko will win by UD.
Haney will also win by UD, in his 2nd bout versus Kamboses.
Loma and Haney will then face-off, probably by March of 2023.
That will be a Tremendous bout.
Could go either way. Loma will do better versus Haney than he did versus Teo.
Styles make fights. Loma and Haney will be an all out Boxing skills battle.
A Defensive Fiasco basically.
Kind of a throwback to, if Sweet Pea Whittaker vs Money Mayweather had ever happened.
Just a Very "Pure Pure" Boxing Chess Match, figuritively.
Yeah, I don't seen Haney as tough for Lomachenko. You can't outbox him, and Haney doesn't have the firepower to hurt Lomachenko. Ryan Garcia would've been a much tougher match-up.
Mexi-Box wrote: ↑20 Aug 2022, 22:07
Yeah, I don't seen Haney as tough for Lomachenko. You can't outbox him, and Haney doesn't have the firepower to hurt Lomachenko. Ryan Garcia would've been a much tougher match-up.
Lomachenko would Definitely be more cautious and mindfully fearful of Ryan Garcia.
Even though Garcia's skills are still only average at best, he Does have that FirePower in his offensive arsenal.
Loma would Not be ignorant or careless about any of that. He'd be mindful as can be.
Especially about Ryan's killer body-shots.
Loma wouldn't be quite as tentative as he was versus Teo though. Respectful yes, but not so tentative.
Against Haney, the hands will be Flying abundantly from Loma, cause like you said, Haney just doesn't have that FirePower.
He's a Pure-Boxer, and Loma can box with the Best of Boxer-Stylists.
Still, I see Loma versus Haney being A Very Even matchup, being that Haney seems to be That Good, and That Tricky.
I think that Loma would win a clear-cut decision versus the Very Limited skillset of Ryan Garcia.
He'd be Scarier for Loma, but not Scary enough, and not skilled enough.
Last edited by AngryGoon38 on 21 Aug 2022, 10:50, edited 1 time in total.
Vasiliy Lomachenko, a three-weight world champion, will make his triumphant New York City return in the 12-round main event Saturday, October 29 against undefeated contender Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
The 10-round featherweight co-feature sees two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez attempt to author a career-best win against former world champion Jessie Magdaleno.
U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs), who is coming off a 44-second knockout over Marco Antonio Canedo in August, looks to make it 4-0 in a six-round heavyweight special feature.
Lomachenko-Ortiz, Ramirez-Magdaleno, and Torrez Jr. headline a card that will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+.
Lomachenko was set to fight then-unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. earlier this year, but when Russia invaded Ukraine, he put his boxing career on hold to join a territorial defense battalion in his homeland.
“Vasiliy Lomachenko is a credit to his country and the sport of boxing,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “When his country needed him, Vasiliy did not hesitate. We are thrilled that he is safe and fighting once again at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, his home away from home. Jamaine Ortiz is a young, hungry, undefeated fighter who understands that a victory over a living legend like Loma would be life-changing.”
Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KOs) has a résumé that is unmatched in modern boxing. A two-time Olympic gold medalist for Ukraine, he had a 396-1 amateur record, won a world title in his third pro fight, and became a three-weight world champion in his 12th bout. Lomachenko unified three of the four lightweight titles before a loss to Teofimo Lopez in October 2020 derailed his quest for undisputed supremacy. Last year, he came back with one-sided victories over Masayoshi Nakatani and Richard Commey. Lomachenko is 5-0 at Madison Square Garden Entertainment’s venues, including the win over Commey and his one-sided drubbing over fellow two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux. He arrived in Southern California last month to resume his career and work towards his goal of capturing the undisputed lightweight title, which is currently held by Devin “The Dream” Haney.
Ortiz (16-0-1, 8 KOs), from Worcester, Massachusetts, enters this bout hoping to stun another former world champion on the comeback trail. He last fought May 21 in Las Vegas, wearing down Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring down the stretch to earn a 10-round unanimous decision. Ortiz is a six-year pro who plied his trade on the New England club scene. Three months before the Herring triumph, Ortiz won the NABF lightweight strap with a clear decision win over Nahir Albright. Ortiz made his Top Rank on ESPN debut in April 2021 with an eight-draw against Joseph Adorno, surviving a pair of knockdowns in one of the year’s best action battles.
Ramirez (10-1, 6 KOs), from Cienfuegos, Cuba, starred at the 2012 London Olympics alongside Lomachenko. He won the first of his gold medals, while Lomachenko dominantly captured gold medal number two. Ramirez ruled the amateur ranks for another six years before defecting from Cuba. After a stunning loss in his 2019 professional debut against Adan Gonzales, Ramirez has been flawless during a 10-fight winning streak that has seen him avenge the Gonzales loss and crack the top 15 of all four major sanctioning organizations. He authored his most notable victory to date in June at Hulu Theater at MSG, knocking out the previously undefeated Abraham Nova with a left hand in the fifth round. That one-shot knockout propelled Ramirez into the title conversation, and he hopes to get that shot before long. But, first, a former world champion stands in his way.
Magdaleno (29-1, 18 KOs) ascended to the top of the junior featherweight division in November 2016 with his decision victory over Nonito Donaire. His title reign ended at the hands of Isaac Dogboe in April 2018, but he is 4-0 since losing to Dogboe and subsequently moving up to featherweight. He shook off an extended layoff in May to shut out Edy Valencia over eight rounds. A native of Las Vegas who has showcased his talents at many of the city’s most storied venues, Magdaleno will be making his New York City debut against a recently unstoppable train.
In addition to Torrez, three of his Olympic teammates from Tokyo will see action under the lights. Tiger Johnson (5-0, 4 KOs) makes his New York City debut in a six-round junior welterweight bout, featherweight silver medalist Duke Ragan (7-0, 1 KO) steps up in his first scheduled eight-rounder, and Troy Isley (7-0, 4 KOs) tests the junior middleweight waters in an eight-rounder.
Cleveland-born lightweight sensation Abdullah Mason (4-0, 3 KOs) will fight in his first six-rounder, while junior lightweight Haven Brady Jr. (7-0, 4 KOs) makes his division debut in an eight-rounder.
The Matrix Takes Manhattan: Vasiliy Lomachenko to Face Unbeaten Contender Jamaine Ortiz in Lightweight Main Event at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden LIVE on ESPN+
Lomachenko-Ortiz and Robeisy Ramirez-Jessie Magdaleno featherweight co-feature headline an NYC fight extravaganza that will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+
Tickets starting at $56 go on sale Thursday, September 15 at 12 p.m. ET and will be available to purchase at Ticketmaster.com
Ukraine’s former pound-for-pound king, the man known as “Loma,” is back.
Vasiliy Lomachenko, a three-weight world champion, will make his triumphant New York City return in the 12-round main event Saturday, October 29 against undefeated contender Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
The 10-round featherweight co-feature sees two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez attempt to author a career-best win against former world champion Jessie Magdaleno.
U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs), who is coming off a 44-second knockout over Marco Antonio Canedo in August, looks to make it 4-0 in a six-round heavyweight special feature.
Lomachenko-Ortiz, Ramirez-Magdaleno, and Torrez Jr. headline a card that will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+. Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $56 go on sale Thursday, September 15 at 12 p.m. ET and will be available to purchase at Ticketmaster.com.
Lomachenko was set to fight then-unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. earlier this year, but when Russia invaded Ukraine, he put his boxing career on hold to join a territorial defense battalion in his homeland.
“Vasiliy Lomachenko is a credit to his country and the sport of boxing,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “When his country needed him, Vasiliy did not hesitate. We are thrilled that he is safe and fighting once again at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, his home away from home. Jamaine Ortiz is a young, hungry, undefeated fighter who understands that a victory over a living legend like Loma would be life-changing.”
Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KOs) has a résumé that is unmatched in modern boxing. A two-time Olympic gold medalist for Ukraine, he had a 396-1 amateur record, won a world title in his third pro fight, and became a three-weight world champion in his 12th bout. Lomachenko unified three of the four lightweight titles before a loss to Teofimo Lopez in October 2020 derailed his quest for undisputed supremacy. Last year, he came back with one-sided victories over Masayoshi Nakatani and Richard Commey. Lomachenko is 5-0 at Madison Square Garden Entertainment’s venues, including the win over Commey and his one-sided drubbing over fellow two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux. He arrived in Southern California last month to resume his career and work towards his goal of capturing the undisputed lightweight title, which is currently held by Devin “The Dream” Haney.
Lomachenko said, “I love my sport, and I am so glad to be back. My goal is to win the undisputed lightweight title, but I will not take Jamaine Ortiz lightly. Madison Square Garden and Hulu Theater at MSG have been special places in my career, and I look forward to making more great memories on October 29. I want to dedicate this fight to all my Ukrainian people. I wear the flag proudly every time I step in the ring.”
Ortiz (16-0-1, 8 KOs), from Worcester, Massachusetts, enters this bout hoping to stun another former world champion on the comeback trail. He last fought May 21 in Las Vegas, wearing down Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring down the stretch to earn a 10-round unanimous decision. Ortiz is a six-year pro who plied his trade on the New England club scene. Three months before the Herring triumph, Ortiz won the NABF lightweight strap with a clear decision win over Nahir Albright. Ortiz made his Top Rank on ESPN debut in April 2021 with an eight-draw against Joseph Adorno, surviving a pair of knockdowns in one of the year’s best action battles.
Ortiz said, “I’m excited about this fight. Vasiliy Lomachenko is a great fighter, but I’m here to win. Once I win this fight, I’m targeting a world title opportunity. This is a dream come true.”
Ramirez (10-1, 6 KOs), from Cienfuegos, Cuba, starred at the 2012 London Olympics alongside Lomachenko. He won the first of his gold medals, while Lomachenko dominantly captured gold medal number two. Ramirez ruled the amateur ranks for another six years before defecting from Cuba. After a stunning loss in his 2019 professional debut against Adan Gonzales, Ramirez has been flawless during a 10-fight winning streak that has seen him avenge the Gonzales loss and crack the top 15 of all four major sanctioning organizations. He authored his most notable victory to date in June at Hulu Theater at MSG, knocking out the previously undefeated Abraham Nova with a left hand in the fifth round. That one-shot knockout propelled Ramirez into the title conversation, and he hopes to get that shot before long. But, first, a former world champion stands in his way.
Ramirez said, “It is great to be back at the iconic Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. I am particularly excited to do so as co-main event of the evening that marks the return of the great Vasiliy Lomachenko, whom I admire and consider one of the greatest talents of all time. It’s rare to have two two-time Olympic gold medalists on the same card, and it is an honor for me. As far as Magdaleno is concerned, he represents an important challenge as he is an excellent boxer, a southpaw, and a former world champion.”
Magdaleno (29-1, 18 KOs) ascended to the top of the junior featherweight division in November 2016 with his decision victory over Nonito Donaire. His title reign ended at the hands of Isaac Dogboe in April 2018, but he is 4-0 since losing to Dogboe and subsequently moving up to featherweight. He shook off an extended layoff in May to shut out Edy Valencia over eight rounds. A native of Las Vegas who has showcased his talents at many of the city’s most storied venues, Magdaleno will be making his New York City debut against a recently unstoppable train.
Magdaleno said, “I am coming to shock the boxing world. I know what a victory would mean for my career. My goal is to become a two-time world champion, and Robeisy Ramirez is in my way. Just know that I am ready.”
In addition to Torrez, three of his Olympic teammates from Tokyo will see action under the lights. Tiger Johnson (5-0, 4 KOs) makes his New York City debut in a six-round junior welterweight bout, featherweight silver medalist Duke Ragan (7-0, 1 KO) steps up in his first scheduled eight-rounder, and Troy Isley (7-0, 4 KOs) tests the junior middleweight waters in an eight-rounder.
Cleveland-born lightweight sensation Abdullah Mason (4-0, 3 KOs) will fight in his first six-rounder, while junior lightweight Haven Brady Jr. (7-0, 4 KOs) makes his division debut in an eight-rounder.
Press Release | Nico Ali Walsh Added To Lomachenko-Ortiz Card
Middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of “The Greatest,” is set to make his New York City return.
Ali Walsh will fight Billy Wagner in his first scheduled six-rounder Saturday, Oct. 29 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Ali Walsh-Wagner joins the undercard of the lightweight main event between former pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko and the unbeaten Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz. In the featherweight co-feature, two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez battles former world champion Jessie Magdaleno.
The entire Lomachenko-Ortiz card will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
“I am thrilled to be back in action on another significant card. Lomachenko is one of the greats of his era,” Ali Walsh said.
“My first year as a professional has been a tremendous learning experience, and I have a great team to help me get to the next level. I respect Billy Wagner and am preparing to showcase everything I’ve learned in the gym from my incredible trainer, Kay Koroma.”
Ali Walsh (6-0, 5 KOs) made his pro debut in August 2021 with a first-round knockout and has been dominant in the paid ranks apart from one minor hiccup. Last December, he made his Madison Square Garden debut and edged Reyes Sanchez by majority decision.
Following a pair of quick knockouts to start his 2022 campaign, he fought Sanchez in an August rematch at Pechanga Arena San Diego, the same building where Muhammad Ali lost to Ken Norton via split decision in 1973. Ali Walsh cleared up any doubt, doubling over Sanchez with a left hook to the liver in the second round. Wagner (5-2, 1 KO), from Browning, Montana, has won two straight since a February 2021 knockout loss to Javier Martinez inside the MGM Grand Bubble.
Jessie Magdaleno has withdrawn from his Oct. 29 featherweight bout against Robeisy Ramirez after suffering a hand injury, his manager, Sam Katkovski, told ESPN.
A former 122-pound titleholder, Magdaleno is dealing with bone exostosis on his left hand, according to Katkovski, a condition where new bone forms on the surface of a bone. He was set to face Ramirez, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, in the ESPN chief-support bout preceding the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Jamaine Ortiz fight in New York.
"Jessie is devastated that he can't continue with the fight," Katkovski said. "He hurt his hand in sparring and tried everything to continue through. He will take some time off to recover and return to continue to become a world champion."
Magadaleno (29-1, 18 KOs) will be examined by a hand specialist and is likely to undergo surgery, Katkovski said.
Ramirez (10-1, 6 KOs) is expected to remain in the TV slot against a new opponent, according to Top Rank spokesman Evan Korn. A 28-year-old Cuban, he is coming off his most impressive win yet, a highlight-reel fifth-round KO of Abraham Nova in June.
Magdaleno, a 30-year-old from Las Vegas, suffered his lone defeat in 2018, an 11th-round KO against Isaac Dogboe in a title bout. He was set to represent the stiffest competition of Ramirez's career.
10 days before fight and Ramirez oponent is still TBA, undercard fight not announced yet. Man this card will be some stinky trash, including main event
Cent0089 wrote: ↑18 Oct 2022, 16:34
10 days before fight and Ramirez oponent is still TBA, undercard fight not announced yet. Man this card will be some stinky trash, including main event
Loma vs Ortiz will be a Stinky Trash of a bout..?
I tend to think otherwise.
It'll Certainly be a Great Prep bout for Loma, being that his next bout after this Should Very Likely be Versus Haney.
Cent0089 wrote: ↑18 Oct 2022, 16:34
10 days before fight and Ramirez oponent is still TBA, undercard fight not announced yet. Man this card will be some stinky trash, including main event
Too bad Lomachenko doesn't fight at 130. It'd beat easy to just make Ramirez/Lomachenko instead if he did. I agree trash card. Magdaleno/Ramirez made the card interesting.
Cent0089 wrote: ↑18 Oct 2022, 16:34
10 days before fight and Ramirez oponent is still TBA, undercard fight not announced yet. Man this card will be some stinky trash, including main event
Loma vs Ortiz will be a Stinky Trash of a bout..?
I tend to think otherwise.
It'll Certainly be a Great Prep bout for Loma, being that his next bout after this Should Very Likely be Versus Haney.
In 2017 i was hoping for him vs Davis fight. 5 years later and he is fighting Nakatani, Commey and Ortiz. wtf. If Lomachenko would not deliver savage beating to this Ortiz guy, or 120-108 decision, he should hang his gloves.
