Lomachenko squeaks by Ortiz, sets up possible undisputed bout with Haney

Vasiliy Lomachenko pulled off unanimous decision victory over Jamaine Ortiz in a fight that was expected to be tough Saturday night at New York's Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The victory sets up a potential meeting between Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs) and undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney.

Ortiz (16-1-1, 8 KOs) controlled the first half of the 135-pound bout behind his jab and ring generalship, but Lomachenko rallied to clip him on the cards to hand him his first loss as a pro.

The judges scored it 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111. FightNights.com scored it 116-112 for Lomachenko.

The 34-year-old, a dual Olympic gold medalist and former three-division world champion, was coming off a 10-month layoff. Lomachenko previously agreed to fight Haney this summer but was forced to withdraw to fight after electing to remain in his native Ukraine to fight against Russia in the ongoing invasion.

Instead, Haney signed a deal for two fights against then-undisputed champion George Kambosos in Australia, and easily outpointed him twice to win and retain all four lightweight belts.

In Lomachenko's place, Haney struck a deal for two fights with Kambosos in Melbourne and emerged with all four lightweight titles. The 23-year-old Haney, who was ringside for Lomachenko's win over Ortiz, was not that impressed with the performance

"I think it wasn't the best performance," he stated. "I hope we can get it on."

"I will be ready," Lomachenko responded.

According to Compubox, Lomachenko landed 125 of 571 punches (22 percent) and Ortiz connected on 122 of 607 punches (20 percent).

For the first six rounds, it appeared Ortiz was on his way to scoring another upset victory. The 26-year-old Massachusetts native scored an upset decision win over former junior lightweight titlist Jamel Herring in May, which led to him scoring the Lomachenko bout.

But when the second half of the fight kicked into gear, Ortiz began to slow down, allowing Lomachenko to mount a rally.

Lomachenko lit up Ortiz with quick combinations, sharp right hooks, and sweeping lefts. He won the final six rounds on two of three scorecards to steal the win away from Ortiz, who felt he was wronged.

"I thought I won the fight," he said. "Decision is what it is. I thought this was gonna be my night."

Lomachenko, however, admitted that he needs to be more active in 2023. The win was his first since a 12-round unanimous decision win over Richard Commey last December.

If Lomachenko expects to contend with Haney, who has one of the best jabs in boxing, he'll have to step it up. On Saturday, he did just enough to win. That won't get the job done against Haney.

"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."