NEW YORK -- Vasiliy Lomachenko rallied from a slow start to outpoint Jamaine Ortiz Saturday night at Madison Square Garden's Hulu Theater.
The unanimous decision win sets Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs) up for a potential meeting next year with undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney.
Ortiz (16-1-1, 8 KOs), fresh off an upset win over former junior lightweight titlist Jamel Herring on May 21, controlled the first half of the 135-pound contest behind his jab and size advantage. But Lomachenko rose to the occasion and took over the fight late to secure the win.
The judges scored it 115-113, 116-112, and 117-111. LegendzTV had it 116-112 for Lomachenko, who was coming off a 10-month layoff.
Lomachenko, a dual Olympic gold medalist and former three-division world champion, was initially slated to face Haney in June. However, he withdrew after he, along with unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, joined a Ukrainian defense battalion at the commencement of the ongoing war with Russia.
In his place, Haney struck a deal for two fights with then-undisputed champion George Kambosos in Australia and easily outpointed him in both fights. However, Haney (29-0, 15 KOs), 23, based in Las Vegas, was not impressed with Lomachenko's display.
"I think it wasn't the best performance," said Haney. "I hope we can get it on.
"Lomachenko, though, assured him that he's up for the challenge.
"I will be ready," he stated.
Ortiz used his superior size advantage from the opening bell, doubling and tripling up on his jab to keep the shorter Lomachenko at bay.
They continued to fight for real estate, and when Lomachenko got aggressive, Ortiz would counter him with a right hand to the body.
But when the bell rang for round seven, Ortiz was noticeably slower, and Lomachenko stepped on the throttle. He landed a myriad of sharp right hooks and sweeping left hands that marked up Ortiz's face. Lomachenko won the final six rounds on two of three scorecards to steal the win.
"I thought I won the fight," Ortiz said. "The decision is what it is. I thought this was gonna be my night."
It appeared to be for the first six rounds, but once Ortiz’s tank began to erode, Lomachenko, known for stepping it up late, mounted the kind of rally that so few have accomplished in any form of sports.
But if we're being honest, Lomachenko likely won't be able to duplicate this version of a come-from-behind victory against Haney, who has the best jab in boxing and sports both a sizeable height and reach advantage.
On Saturday, Lomachenko did just enough to win. While he has earned a chip at the negotiating table, he'll have to accentuate his performance if he expects to contend with Haney and accomplish his goal of becoming undisputed champion.
"The fight to make in the lightweight division is Haney vs. Lomachenko, and we will do everything we can to make the undisputed championship showdown that all fight fans want to see," Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said. "They are the world's premier lightweights, and it would be a fantastic battle."
