Israil Madrimov will face Serhii Bohachuk this month in a 12-round fight on December 21st, then make a quick comeback 63 days later to face Vergil Ortiz Jr. to challenge for his WBC interim junior middleweight title on February 22. Both fights are in Riyadh.
Running The Gauntlet
If former WBA 154-lb champion ‘Little GGG’ Madrimov (10-1, 7 KOs) makes it through those two fights, he will face Terence Crawford, Bohachuk and Ortiz Jr. encountered in successive battles. This is a classic definition of running the gauntlet.
Going through a 12-round war with Bohachuk will be tough enough for Madrimov without getting a cut or getting hit. But to return two months later to face slugger Vergil Ortiz Jr. challenging for his WBC interim 154-pound title will be a physical feat. But if anyone can do it, Madrimov can. He had ear 350+ amateur fights and was used to fighting often.
Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs) is a tough fighter, who many felt was robbed in his last fight against Vergil Ortiz Jr. on August 10 in Las Vegas. He lost a 12-round majority decision to Ortiz Jr, and it was considered a very controversial decision.
Lessons from Crawford
For Madrimov to defeat Bohachuk, he needs to let his hands go a lot more than he did in his narrow 12-round unanimous decision loss to Terence Crawford on August 3rd. Madrimov used too much emotion, showed too much respect to the 36-year-old Crawford and gave the fight away by not throwing enough.
Crawford vs Madrimov pushes stats
Terence: 95 of 433 for 22%
Madrimov: 84 of 275 for 31%.
‘Little GGG’ is only average 22.9 strokes per round thrown at Crawford, and it’s not enough to defeat a fighter of his class. He can’t afford to do that against Bohachuk or Ortiz Jr. This is a miserable punch output.
The punches Madrimov did throw were single shot right hands, which landed effectively, but there was no follow through. Madrimov had the strength, youth, size and technical skill advantage over Crawford, but didn’t throw enough. If he fights Bohachuk like that, he’ll get worn out because this guy throws a lot of punches and he’s got heavy hands.
The fact that Vergil Jr. choosing not to give Bohachuk a rematch is the highest form of respect, showing that he didn’t want a second helping of the punishment the Ukrainian talent dished out to him.
What if Madrimov falls?
There is no word on who His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has on standby in case ‘Little GGG’ Madrimov suffers an injury or is too beaten up from the Bohachuk fight on December 21st to face Vergil Ortiz Jr on February 22nd. It will be disappointing for the supporters if Madrimov has to be replaced by Xander Zayas for the Vergil Jr. battle.
Far less entertaining to watch, Zayas (20-0, 12 KOs) is considered a hype job created by Top Rank, who have matched him against fluff opposition his entire career. If Madrimov can’t fight Ortiz, hopefully a better replacement opponent is chosen, someone like Erislandy Lara or Erickson Lubin.
One of the best cards ever on February 22nd in Riyadh
#BigTime#Riyadh Season pic.twitter.com/4jQEowMXvD
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) December 2, 2024
