ISRAIL Madrimov’s next few months are already set, and the former WBA super-welterweight champion isn’t hanging around. Madrimov will meet interim WBC 154-pound titleholder Vergil Ortiz Jr. on February 22 in Riyadh.
That is subject to passing the initial test, also in Riyadh, on December 21. That December clash, in just a few weeks, as part of the Usyk-Fury rematch, is no small task, as he faces the man Ortiz stripped of his belt in the first place: Serhii Bohachuk.
If Madrymov manages to beat Bohachuk and then box Ortiz, as officially predicted, then he will entertain Terence Crawford, Bohachuk and Ortiz in a spectacular span within barely seven months. Getting to Ortiz is one thing, but how much Madrimov will have left in the tank until that point (roughly two months later to the day) remains to be seen.
All-action Bohachuk is a tough fighter who doesn’t know how to step back and step back. When Ortiz dethroned him, the Texas Tornado had to dig deep, negotiate his way to the canvas twice in the first and eighth rounds and fight for a decision victory consisting of a 113-113 scoreboard plus two 114 offers -112 in his favour. Madrimov was warned.
The former king of Uzbekistan now intervened when others were having fun and having fun. Ortiz was originally scheduled to box Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis before the Philadelphian instead entered an extended period of introspection over retaining his IBF light heavyweight belt at Christmas.
Unbeaten Puerto Rican Xander Zayas has also thrown his hat into the ring as a possible future opponent for Ortiz. There should be plenty of options for any willing and able body before and after February 22nd. Madrimov will be willing, but it remains to be seen whether he will still be able to produce results after such a punishment.