Former three-weight world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KOs) and undefeated Jamaine Ortiz (16-0-1, 8 KOs) renewed acquaintances Thursday in New York City. The one-time sparring partners will clash in the 12-round lightweight main event Saturday evening at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. This fight could propel the winner to a shot at undisputed champion Devin “The Dream” Haney.
Lomachenko returns after serving a stint in a territorial defense battalion in his native Ukraine, a decision that delayed his boxing career for 10 months. Ortiz authored a career-best victory over former world champion Jamel Herring in May.
Vasiliy Lomachenko: “I feel great. I feel good. I can’t wait to come back Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. I think it’s a special place for me. I’ve had a lot of fights there. So, it’s a lucky place for me…sparring [against Ortiz] is different from competition because our conditioning is not at 100 percent, so Saturday night will be a very interesting fight. I’m focused on my job. I’m focused on my boxing. You can’t stop thinking about your country. It’s always on your mind. But now I’m focused, and I need to be focused because I’m an athlete. After the fight, I’ll go back to Ukraine and support my country.”
Jamaine Ortiz: “I think the opponent in front of you brings out the type of fighter you are. I think Lomachenko is going to bring out the best Jamaine Ortiz. The fighter that everybody around me knows. You’re going to see the real ‘Technician’ on Saturday night.”
Loma sparring partner getting a shot at Loma?
no, not Holmes /Ali..
Ukraine Nazis ? Just fight Lomo. Klitchko is a scam corrupt pos. Do not ruin your legacy hooked to bullshit politics theft..
Kurtis, I don’t understand can you elaborate more . We don’t want to be upset for the wrong reasons.
What do you mean? If you mention the word Nazi and make hints, you are obliged to give a solid explanation at the same time.
Hater
Hurry up Loma, you are on the last railway wagon and if for some how someone removes the coupling, that could be the end. Sad that such magnificent fighter lost his biggest fight and maybe there will be no more big fights for him, because the race is after Haney and Haney himself knows what could happen to his precious hardware if he dares to face Lomachenko, because he is not the brainless Kambosos or Jo Jo Diaz
After moving up and the surgeries I think we have another not-as-sharp-as-before Loma.
But still, he´s Loma. What´s left is not bad.
If Loma is going to beat Haney he must perform at his best. Haneys style and reach are both ill-suited for Loma. No easy fight.
But first Ortiz. Best wishes.
Barucho; was Salido and Teo brainless as well? Haney is no Luke Campbell, Anthony Crolla, or Richard Commey. Zockerbit; revving up the excuses I see for once Haney beats Loma, now that he has all the belts. While Loma’s story makes good theatre about defending his country and all. While skillful, he is vastly overrated and at 16-2 in the paid ranks, and IMO does not have the resume to make the hall, even if he were to defeat Haney, but he may get in because he has the complexion for the protection. #95-1 in the amateurs don’t get you in the Hall. Age is not on his side and Haney, Shakur, and Tank beat him now and “pre-injuries”, “pre-war”, and “pre ageism”. Facts!
Always rooting for Lomachenko he’s one of the best amateur/pro boxer ever..