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.
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.
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.
Press Release | Robeisy Ramirez To Face Jose Matias Romero on Card
Rising featherweight contender Robeisy "El Tren" Ramirez will fight Argentina's Jose Matias Romero in a 10-round showdown Saturday, Oct. 29 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Romero replaces former world champion Jessie Magdaleno, who was forced to withdraw from the bout with a hand injury.
Ramirez-Matias will serve as the co-feature to the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Jamaine Ortiz lightweight main event, streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
"The opponent does not matter. I will put on a show October 29 in New York City," Ramirez said. "I have the utmost respect for Romero, who took the fight on short notice. But once we get in that ring, I am coming full steam ahead at him for the win. 'El Tren' will not be derailed."
Ramirez (10-1, 6 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, is coming off a sensational one-punch knockout over Abraham Nova and is closing in on a world title opportunity. Romero (26-2, 9 KOs) has won two fights since back-to-back decision defeats to top lightweights Michel Rivera and Isaac Cruz. He's now at his natural weight and hopes to stun Ramirez under the Garden lights.
Vasily Lomachenko will be back in action on October 29th for a fight against unbeaten lightweight contender Jamaine Ortiz in a tune-up to prepare him to challenge undisputed 135-lb champion Devin Haney in the first quarter of 2023.
Loma vs Ortiz will be live on ESPN+, fight fans outside the US can watch the entire fight card live on FITETV:
Fighting the unbeaten #7 WBC, #12 WBO Ortiz is a tough tune-up fight, as he’s arguably more talented than anyone Lomachenko has faced recently aside from Teofimo Lopez.
The 26-year-old Worcester, Massachusetts native Ortiz is coming off an upset 10-round unanimous decision win over former super featherweight champion Jamel Herring last May. Ortiz totally outclassed Herring, sending him into retirement with the victory.
Lomachenko has been busy defending his country Ukraine against Russia in response to the recent invasion. Loma joined up with the territorial defense battalion and has been busy until deciding to return to the ring to prepare for a fight against Haney.
The six-year professional Ortiz should be an excellent opponent for Lomachenko to get ready for a title shot next year against unbeaten Haney (28-0, 15 KOs).
Ortiz has the slick boxing skills that Haney possesses, but with more power and a willingness to mix it up on the inside.
At 5’8″, Ortiz will have the height advantage against the 5’7″ Lomachenko, but it’s not a huge size difference like when Loma fought the 5’11” Masayoshi Nakatani last year in June.
This will be Lomachenko’s first fight in 2022 since defeating Richard Commey by a 12-round decision last December.
Lomachenko looked excellent in winning his second consecutive fight since losing his titles to Teofimo Lopez by an upset 12 round decision in October 2020. Loma took the fight with Teofimo with a torn right rotator cuff, which he’s since had surgery to repair.
All efforts by Lomachenko to get a rematch with Teofimo have since failed, as the New Yorker isn’t interested.
Stobbo wrote: ↑25 Oct 2022, 12:53
Can't summon much enthusiasm for this really.
Loma cherry picking here.
I find that Ali Walsh a bit irritating as well.
This is not a cherry pick. You don't know the meaning of the term. Who else is he supposed to fight?
handsofstone wrote: ↑27 Oct 2022, 17:12
Lomachenko fight week always a calendar highlight, as long as he takes Ortiz seriously, he can't afford a Lopez type performance
You get to see all his training videos.
I seen the one underwater.. he has some big gloves on and he’s punching.
handsofstone wrote: ↑27 Oct 2022, 17:12
Lomachenko fight week always a calendar highlight, as long as he takes Ortiz seriously, he can't afford a Lopez type performance
You get to see all his training videos.
I seen the one underwater.. he has some big gloves on and he’s punching.
There won’t be another Loma.
I enjoyed his skating aswell.
A total one off, push comes to shove my fav fighter to watch ever, shame he never got the really big fights like Mikey or Tank but even against the likes of Commey and Ortiz I'm all in, he just needs a bit more urgency sometimes and to get guys out of there and let the ref worry about their safety but anytime he's in the ring showcasing his skills is a highlight
I too really like to watch Loma , but regards Haney it would not suprise me if he moves up ,, he rematched Kambosas , but heh why not he had good reasons , he was contracted too a rematch and he would of picked up a reasonable payday for an easy nights work , however ,, looking at him at the weigh in and throughout the fight i was amazed he could make the weight , he really is getting bigger , its time to move up .
There's always hope. But not a big puncher, has reasonable skills.
I think he's a safe opponent but was told on here I didn't know the meaning of cherry picking.
I stand to be proven wrong of course.
