Serhii Bohachuk looks to scupper Israil Madrimov’s showdown against Vergil Ortiz Jr when they lock horns in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 21.
It was announced on Monday that a Riyadh Season show, headlined by the eagerly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, will take place on February 22.
Elsewhere on the stacked card, IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, who comes off a stunning fifth-round stoppage victory over Anthony Joshua, looks to defend his strap against seasoned operator Joseph Parker.
But, perhaps the most surprising matchup to take place early next year is between Ortiz and Madrimov, who will be back in action just over two months before they square off.
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Serhii Bohachuk is baffled by the announcement of Israil Madrimov vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr
Ortiz was initially set to face Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis in February, until the IBF welterweight champion ruled himself out of their mouthwatering contest.
Instead, the WBC interim super welterweight titlist, who comes off a highly contentious majority decision victory over Bohachuk, will face former world champion Madrimov on the same date.
The 26-year-old was floored twice in his last outing, with Bohachuk producing a career-best performance in their pulsating 12-round dustup.
Madrimov, meanwhile, comes off a scintillating display against pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford, suffering his first professional defeat in a fight that many believe he deserved to win.
In order to face Ortiz, though, the formidable Kazakh must first overcome the versatile skillset of Bohachuk when they collide on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2.
And so, with Madrimov’s following assignment being announced ahead of their encounter, Bohachuk remains somewhat bemused by his upcoming opponent’s decision.
“For me it’s like [they’re] joking,” Bohachuk told FightHype. “It’s impossible because it’s boxing – one fight can change your career. You can’t [plan ahead of your next fight].
“Before Crawford-Madrimov, and before me [against] Ortiz, people were saying after [both fights] we make Ortiz-Crawford. Now, where is Ortiz-Crawford? You can’t plan for the future.
“Every fight can change your career.”
Will Vergil Ortiz Jr vs. Israil Madrimov still take place?
At one stage, it appeared as though Ortiz could face unbeaten super welterweight prospect Xander Zayas, who claims that he had agreed to the fight.
Even so, Ortiz’s father has mentioned on social media that four possible opponents, including Zayas, were presented to them.
And so, if Bohachuk is able to defeat Madrimov, then perhaps one of the four alternative fighters could be drafted in as a late replacement, keeping Ortiz on the Riyadh Season card.