Ortiz Jr vs Bohachuk Predictions: Vergil steps up in class

Unbeaten prospect Vergil Ortiz Jr. walks into his toughest test this Saturday, August 10, as he faces Serhii Bohachuk. The latter’s WBC interim super welterweight title will be on the line at the Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The bout will be broadcast live on the DAZN platform.

Here are my Ortiz Jr. vs Bohachuk predictions as one of boxing’s rising stars rides out.

Ortiz was supposed to face former WBO champion Tim Tsyzu this month, but the Australian pulled out with an injury. Happily, rather than fill the gap with a compliant walk-over, Ortiz’s team have matched him with another quality fighter. 

After going 21-0 with 21 knockouts, now is the time for Ortiz to move up in class. The 26-year-old has beaten the gatekeepers. Men like Maurice Hooker, Thomas Dulorme and Samuel Vargas whose names appear on the record of every rising star around this weight. Ortiz has beaten slightly more ambitious fare too, like ex-title challenger Egidijus Kavaliauskas and British trier Michael McKinson.

Having moved up through the levels, the only step left is that giant leap into world class. WBC interim kingpin Bohachuk qualifies, having won that title from Brian Mendoza. He is ranked as the fourth-best super welterweight in the world by The Ring. Ortiz could have taken a soft-touch after the Tsyzu fight fell through. Instead he is taking on the best boxer he has ever faced.

Like Ortiz, Bohachuk is best-known for his extraordinary punch power. The Ukrainian has knocked out 23 of his 24 victims, with only the world-class Mendoza extending him. Bohachuk’s sole loss came at the gifted fists of Brandon Thompson, who won season five of The Contender and challenged Jermall Charlo for his WBC middleweight title.

Bohachuk has racked up six wins since then, gatecrashing the world rankings and netting himself the interim title. Now ‘El Flaco’ goes into the biggest fight of his life against Texas’ unbeaten hero, Ortiz.

This one looks set to be a firefight. Bohachuk is a picture of European orthodoxy, coming in with the typical high guard and powerful jab. He uses this common template to uncork uncommon power, swatting opponents aside with rapier precision.

Ortiz pairs lightning hand-speed with his crunching shots. A right straight is lethally wielded while, once on the inside, the 26-year-old unleashes hooks to head and body. More durable opponents have seen him unleash the entire textbook of punches upon them before they fall. But usually, it takes one or two well-selected pugilistic weapons for Ortiz to get his quarry out of there.

These styles look made-to-order for a thrilling fight. Both men favour a front-foot offensive and each have the power to back up that strategy. This means war.

Ortiz Jr. vs Bohachuk Fight Odds

Ortiz Jr. is a 1/3 favourite to score the win here. Bohachuk is priced as a 13/5 underdog. A draw between these two elite super welterweights is available at 16/1.

Ortiz vs Bohachuk Full Card

Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Serhii Bohachuk; For Bohachuk’s interim WBC world super welterweight title Charles Conwell vs. Khiary Gray; Super welterweight 

Kenneth Sims Jr. vs. Jair Valtierra; Super lightweight 

Gabriela Fundora vs. Daniela Ansenjo; For Fundora’s IBF women’s world flyweight title 

Joel Iriarte vs. TBA; Welterweight 

Maricela Cornejo vs. Cecelia Braekhus; WBA women’s interim super welterweight

Eric Priest vs. Luka Lozo; Middleweight 

Johnny Canas vs. TBA; Lightweight 

Jordan Fuentes vs. James Mulder; Super bantamweight 

Figo Gonzalez vs. Jose Gonzalez; Bantamweight Jennah Creason vs. Kelsey Wickstrum; Women’s welterweight

Ortiz vs Bohachuk Prediction

This one is going to be a serious spectacle while it lasts. I am expecting power punches aplenty. These men know no other way.

A firefight favours Ortiz I feel. He is rangy and that will be vital to keep Bohachuk off him. If the Texan can keep it at range and land that lethal right straight, I feel he can take this one inside the distance. 

My pick is Ortiz to win by knockout at 5/6. This is a big step up for him, but I feel like the challenger is ready.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.