ISRAIL Madrimov’s subsequent few months are already mapped out and the previous WBA super-welterweight champion will not be hanging round. Madrimov will meet WBC Interim 154-pound title holder Vergil Ortiz Jr on February 22 in Riyadh.
That’s supplied he will get previous an preliminary check, additionally in Riyadh, on December 21. That December conflict, in only a few weeks’ time as a part of the Usyk-Fury rematch undercard, isn’t any small activity, as he faces the person Ortiz took the belt off within the first place: Serhii Bohachuk.
If Madrimov can defeat Bohachuk after which containers Ortiz, as formally scheduled, then inside a timeframe of barely seven months he may have entertained Terence Crawford, Bohachuk and Ortiz in a spectacular span. Making it to Ortiz is one factor, however fairly how a lot Madrimov may have left within the tank by that time (round two months later to the day) stays to be seen.
All-action Bohachuk is a heavy-handed strain fighter who doesn’t know step off and again down. When Ortiz dethroned him, the Texas twister needed to dig deep, negotiate his well beyond two journeys to the canvas in rounds one and eight and battle his strategy to a choice victory consisting of a 113-113 scorecard plus two 114-112 choices in his favour. Madrimov has been warned.
The Uzbek former king has now stepped in when others dallied and dawdled. Ortiz was initially slated to field Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis earlier than the Philadelphian as a substitute engaged in an prolonged interval of introspection round maintaining his IBF welterweight belt for Christmas.
Undefeated Puerto Rican Xander Zayas additionally threw his hat into the ring as a doable future Ortiz opponent. There must be loads of choices for any prepared and in a position our bodies earlier than and after February 22. Madrimov can be prepared, however whether or not he’s nonetheless in a position to ship after such a punishing run stays to be seen.
