By Jose Rivera and Tiffany Williams –
Saturday night at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, the main event was the 12-round lightweight Lomachenko vs. Ortiz. But the undercard was just as hot.
The undercard featured a pair of Tokyo 2020 U.S. Olympic silver medalists, heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. and featherweight Duke Ragan. Ragan and Torrez’s Olympic teammates, junior welterweight Tiger Johnson and middleweight Troy Isley were also featured in separate bouts. Rising middleweight Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of “The Greatest,” made his second career New York City appearance in a six-rounder against Montana native Billy Wagner.
In the first fight, Haven Brady Jr. was the winner by decision. In the second fight of the night, Abdullah Mason was the winner with a fourth round knockout. Troy Isley won the third fight of the night by decision. Tiger Johnson was the winner of the fourth fight of the night by decision. In the fifth fight of the night Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of all time great Muhammad Ali won by decision. In the fight of the night, Duke Ragan won by decision. In the seventh fight of the night. In the seventh fight of the night, in the third round, in just two minutes and thirty-two seconds Richard Torres Jr. won by technical knockout.
The 10-round featherweight co-main featured two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez and Jose Matias Romero. Robeisy Ramirez took this fight in the ninth round, in two minutes and twenty seconds by technical knockout.
In the main event, Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Jamaine Ortiz. Ortiz, who accepted the gutsy challenge to fight Loma, was the underdog. Loma had a slight 125-122 edge in punches landed and outlanded Ortiz better than 2-1 in jabs. Loma landed 31% of his power after landing 48% in his previous 18. Loma’s win Saturday night was his third straight since losing a fight for three world titles to Teofimo Lopez Jr. in October 2020. With Saturday night’s win, Loma is now in position step in the ring with Haney for all four world titles.
Following Saturday night’s fight, Loma said “I’m happy. I’m happy to come back in the ring and make this a great show. Thank you to my fans for the support.” Loma also said “Look, I’m ready. I’m ready for any option.”
Devin Haney following Saturday night’s fight said “I think it wasn’t the best performance, but I know if me and Loma were to fight, we’d see a better version on the night. Congratulations, and hopefully we can get it on.”
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