Initially, junior middleweights Vergil Ortiz and Tim Tszyu were due to collide on last weekend’s big show in Los Angeles headlined by Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov. However, the cut Tszyu suffered in his loss to Sebastian Fundora hadn’t sufficiently heeled, and he wasn’t medically cleared.

In walked Serhii Bohachuk, who will instead face Ortiz, in what looks like an equally fan-friendly fire-fight between two attack-minded punchers at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, on Saturday.

The Golden Boy Promotions event will be broadcast on DAZN and will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT.

Bohachuk (24-1, 23 knockouts), rated at No. 5 by The Ring at junior middleweight, was a solid amateur who competed in the World Series of Boxing before turning professional in 2017. The Ukrainian won his first 18 fights, all inside the distance with nobody lasting past the sixth round when ahead on the scorecards he was upset by Brandon Adams (TKO 8).

After five wins stopping trial horses Aaron Coley (KO 2) and Nathaniel Gallimore (KO 6), he stepped up and proved too physically strong for Brian Mendoza (UD 12).

Ortiz (21-0, 21 KOs), who is currently unranked by The Ring at 154-pounds, turned professional at 140 pounds back in the summer of 2016. The aggressive power-puncher was bursting at the seams and by the time he reached contender status was up at welterweight where he beat former junior welterweight title challenge Antonio Orozco (KO 6), former 140-pound titleholder Maurice Hooker (KO 7) and impressively bludgeoned of former welterweight title challenger Egidijus Kavaliauskas (TKO 8).

However, the 26-year-old Texan saw a fight with Michael McKinson moved back several months due to rhabdomyolysis. After receiving the all-clear, Ortiz returned and overcame a slow start to stop the Brit in nine rounds. Various issues saw an ill-fated fight with WBA 147-pound ruler Eimantas Stanionis fall apart on three occasions. He jumped up to 154-pounds and snapped a 17-month hiatus to score two first round stoppages since returning earlier this year.

Two factors will likely play a sizable part in who emerges victorious. Who is physically stronger and can put the other on the backfoot? Also, both are heavy-handed, so whoever takes the other’s power better will hold a significant advantage. It could be one and done or a savage war of attrition. The threat of the knockout will be there from the opening bell until the fight reaches its conclusion. Bohachuk is naturally the bigger man and brings confidence into this fight after besting Mendoza last time out. Meanwhile, Ortiz has won both his bouts at 154-pounds in a round this year, however, he has yet to face someone who returns fire.

Online gambling group William Hill lists Ortiz as a 1/3 (-300) favorite, while Bohachuk is priced at 9/4 (+225); the draw is 16/1 (+1600).

Here’s how the experts see it:

THE RING 

ANSON WAINWRIGHT: ORTIZ TKO 6

“I view this as close to a 50/50 fight. The one thing I think we will get is action and lots of it. Both guys are very offensive as illustrated by their combined record of 45-1 (44 knockouts). Ortiz has had two fights this year since returning at junior middleweight but is still relatively untested at the new weight. Meanwhile, Bohachuk is a more known commodity and coming off the best performance of his career. I do think Ortiz is a better all-around fighter and that will see him prevail in an exciting fight where both may be hurt and down. Ortiz will stop Bohachuk somewhere around the halfway mark. Ortiz TKO 6.”

LEE GROVES: ORTIZ TKO 9

“On paper, this is a very attractive fight because both are offensive-minded predators with a willingness to give and take. But while both are well equipped in terms of giving, Ortiz is in a better place in terms of the other side of the equation because (1) he is the better fighter on defense and (2) because Bohachuk’s only loss was by KO to Brandon Adams. Also, while Bohachuk has the height and reach to enforce a long-range game, he’ll probably surrender those advantages because he operates best as a grinding volume-punching infighter. He might try to box for a while, but once he gets hit with a hard shot, his instinct will be to trade with Ortiz. When that happens, it’ll only become a matter of time before Ortiz takes him out.”

DIEGO MORILLA: ORTIZ UD

“No one knows how far will Ortiz be able to take his boxing career at this point. His health issues are well-known, and they have led to a few well-reported problems. But as long as he is in good health and well-trained, he has the skills and the desire to beat anyone in the division. I do expect a tough fight, but Ortiz’s skills should be enough to carry him to victory this time.”

MARTIN MULCAHY: ORTIZ TKO

“Vergil Ortiz enters the fight as the big favorite, but we have to remember he has only seen two rounds of action in the last four years! Serhii Bohachuk, like Ortiz, has a KO percentage in the mid 90 percent, so I doubt this encounter reaches the half-way point. The obvious difference between the two is that Bohachuk has lost one fight via stoppage, while Ortiz remains perfect and has looked near perfect in his last couple appearances. I don’t hold out hope that Bohachuk wins, but at least gives Ortiz some quality rounds and actually tests Ortiz’s chin with that power. Unlike most Ukrainian’s Bohachuk was not an elite amateur on the International level, and none of his pro victories make me believe he can outbox Ortiz over long stretches. If I were to wager it would be Ortiz in under four rounds, while his corner probably prefer it goes past six to get Ortiz ready for elite opposition in his next outing.”

MICHAEL MONTERO: ORTIZ UD

“This is such a great match up. After some health issues that briefly stalled his career, Vergil Ortiz has looked rejuvenated since moving up to 154-pounds. After his lone defeat a few years ago, Serhii Bohachuk has won six in a row. In terms of resume, Ortiz has faced the better opposition. In terms of size, Bohachuk is taller, longer and naturally stronger. Ultimately, the result of this fight will come down to styles. I think both fighters will start tentatively, but things will pick up in the middle rounds. I see a distance fight here, and I like Ortiz to carry the late rounds and win a tight unanimous decision.”

Vergil Ortiz (right) proved he’s ready for the top welterweights with his eighth-round stoppage of battle-tested puncher Mean Machine. Photo by Kevin Estrada / Golden Boy Promotions

NORM FRAUENHEIM: ORTIZ TKO 7

“The best bet is a stoppage. But who scores it? That’s anybody’s guess. Guess here: Ortiz. He’s 21-0, all by KO. He’s perfect. Expect him to add to his unblemished record, if only because Serhii Bohachuk’s only blemish is a loss by stoppage, an eighth-round TKO in March 2021. Bohachuk, who has 23 victories by stoppage on his own record, might have one advantage: He’s done what Ortiz has not. He’s gone the distance, winning a unanimous decision over Brian Mendoza. If he can take Ortiz into the late rounds, he beats him. But Ortiz has the power to eliminate that possibility, at some point before the eighth.”

BOXING INSIDERS

DUKE MCKENZIE (FORMER THREE-DIVISION TITLEHOLDER/TV ANALYST): ORTIZ MD

“It’s not too often that we find a world title fight with two genuine knockout artists. Both Ortiz and Bohachuk carry genuine KO power but I like Ortiz for this one. I feel he works at a higher work rate, holds his shape better and there is snap on his punches. I don’t think there will be a KO. I see this going to a points decision in favor of Ortiz by 12-majority decision.”

TOM GRAY (FORMER MANAGING EDITOR FOR THE RING): ORTIZ TKO 11

“What a fight this is! Bohachuk is an excellent offensive force who excels at mid-to-close range. If he’s allowed to work at that distance, he’s almost certain to obliterate whoever is in front of him. However, I rate Ortiz highly and I think he comes through his toughest test. He’s been very unlucky with his health and inactivity, but he’ll rise to the occasion and break Bohachuk down. Both fighters have tremendous hitting power, but Ortiz is the more well-rounded and polished of the two.”

STEVE KIM (THE 3 KNOCKDOWN RULE): ORTIZ PTS

“This should be a very entertaining bout, regardless of who wins. These two have combined for 45 wins and 44 KOs. Most of the tangibles favor Ortiz, especially when it comes to speed and one-punch power. The question is: how will he look at 154 (his last two bouts were not at that weight). The key for Bohachuk is to get out of the early rounds as clean as possible and then come on late. I think this is a real fight. I will tab Ortiz by a smidge, here, in a close decision.”

SERGIO MORA (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/ COMMENTATOR): ORTIZ TKO 7

“These two are so evenly matched that the fight will most likely come down to who can take a better punch. I see both getting rocked, maybe even dropped in an incredible shootout! Ortiz Jr TKO 7.”

Serhii Bohachuk (right) pounds Brian Mendoza (Photo by Ryan Hafey/PBC)

RICH MAROTTA (COMMENTATOR): ORTIZ KO 5

“I hate to be ‘Captain Obvious’, but If nothing else, this should be an explosive fight. One look at their KO records tells you that. I like Vergil Ortiz to win because of a rather simple equation. I don’t think he will allow Serhii Bohachuk to fight his fight. Bohachuk, in my estimation, needs to be coming forward, while keeping distance and shooting out those 1-2s, punctuated by those terrific right crosses. He picks up momentum and is a good front-runner. Ortiz is not going to let him do that. Vergil will be relentless, he will pressure, and get the style of the fight in his favor. I envision a KO win for Ortiz in about 5 rounds.”

JOE ROTONDA (MATCHMAKER, MAIN EVENTS): BOHACHUK

“Great fight by two monster punchers, both fighters waste very little time in getting rid of their opponents. There are a lot of unanswered questions regarding Vergil Ortiz coming into this bout. How will he handle the extra weight against an elite fighter? He really hasn’t been tested at this weight yet. He has also only fought two rounds in the previous two years, that right there is the biggest factor in my opinion. Bohachuk has managed to stay active and get some important rounds under his belt, including a recent win over the always tough Brian Mendoza. I am going to side with Serhii Bohachuk on this one, I think he pulls off what many will call an upset win.”

ROBERTO DIAZ (MATCHMAKER): ORTIZ KO 7

“The King has arrived. Vergil Ortiz has been patiently waiting and like the real champions, he lets his fists do the talking. Bohachuk is a tremendous fighter and will do everything he can to retain his title. Unfortunately for him, it won’t be enough. Vergil is the real deal and has been for a long time. The world has yet to see the true talent and only focus on his power, however Vergil can box if he needs to. This will be a coming out party and he will hear the famous words … ‘AND NEW! ‘”

CAMILLE ESTEPHAN (PROMOTER, EYE OF THE TIGER): ORTIZ TKO 8

“These two fighters are destruction specialists. I don’t see this going the distance. Between the two of them they have 44 KOs in 45 fights. I believe Ortiz packs the more powerful and precise punch. Bohachuk is a dangerous counter-puncher. Great fireworks in this fight. I see Ortiz coming out on top stopping Bohachuk in the eighth round.”

KALLE SAUERLAND (PROMOTER, WASSERMAN): ORTIZ TKO 

“I like Ortiz by late stoppage in a great fight.”

JOLENE MIZZONE (MANAGER): ORTIZ TKO 9

“I just think in this fight Ortiz is going to be too much for Bohachuk, they both faced the right type of guys coming up, but I must give the edge to Ortiz as far as better competition. The concern with Ortiz is he hasn’t had many rounds in the past year, so he needs to be in tip-top shape for this one since Bohachuk isn’t going to go down without a fight.”

BOB SANTOS (TRAINER): ORTIZ PTS

“This is a very difficult fight to pick. I’m leaning towards Ortiz, slightly. It’s really a pick ’em fight. Ortiz on points and I’m not saying that with a lot of confidence. This is going to reveal how good Ortiz really is and where he’s at.”

TONY SIMS (TRAINER): ORTIZ TKO 

“Bohachuk is a tough fighter. I had Conor Benn and George Liddard spar him when we were in L.A. earlier in the year. But I think Ortiz is a special fighter and expect Ortiz to win by stoppage halfway through the fight.”

WAYNE MCCULLOUGH (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/ TRAINER): ORTIZ KO 4

“The fight is either going to be over quickly or end up being a toe-to-toe slugfest for 12-rounds. Bohachuk likes to come forward and throws a good volume of different punches to both head and body. He needs to be able to stay close to Ortiz and trade – as they can both punch. If he does this, he has a chance of winning. Ortiz has a good guard protecting himself with his hands from any wild shots. He puts his combos together nicely and likes to throw the left hook to the body. If he throws this shot to the body of Bohachuk, he could knock him out in the fourth round continuing his 100 percent knockout streak. ”

Final Tally: Ortiz 18-1

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected].

Follow @AnsonWainwright