The Long, Meandering Road Finally Has Serhii Bohachuk On The Verge(il) of Greatness

Serhii Bohachuk (24-1, 23KOs) is on the verge of what could be the defining moment of his career. On August 10, he will step into the ring at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, to face the heavy-hitting, emerging superstar Vergil Ortiz (21-0, 21KOs). With both fighters combining for an eye popping 44 knockouts in 45 wins, this junior middleweight showdown for the WBC interim title promises to be a slugfest, with both fighters eager and ready to prove their mettle on the sport’s grandest stage.

Bohachuk’s journey to this pivotal moment has been anything but straightforward. Growing up in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, Bohachuk had no interest in pursuing boxing. It was only a means of self-defense against neighborhood bullies that he reluctantly picked up the sport. His amateur career was unremarkable; he wasn’t afforded the same opportunities as his countrymen, Oleksandr Usyk and Vasyl Lomachenko. Without a glittering amateur pedigree or a lineup of eager promoters, Bohachuk’s path to recognition was fraught with obstacles.

His breakthrough came in the most unexpected of places: the World Series of Boxing. As the only willing opponent for the highly regarded Cuban, Roniel Iglesias, Bohachuk stunned the boxing world by defeating the former Olympic gold medalist. This unexpected victory caught the attention of well-regarded promoter Tom Loeffler, who saw potential in the Ukrainian underdog.

Under Loeffler’s guidance, Bohachuk began to make waves in the professional circuit, knocking out every opponent in his path. His relentless style and knockout power made him a force to be reckoned with. In March 2021, Bohachuk headlined his first major televised card against Brandon Adams as part of the Ring City USA program on NBC Sports Network. Expected to continue his knockout streak, Bohachuk dominated the fight until the eighth round when Adams landed a devastating blow, sending Bohachuk to the canvas and pulling off a shocking upset.

The defeat was a significant setback, relegating Bohachuk to lower-level cards. However, his resolve remained unshaken. Loeffler kept him active, and Bohachuk embarked on a five-fight winning streak, all ending in stoppages. This allowed Bohachuk to climb his way up the WBC junior middleweight rankings, all the way to #2 and put him in line for a title opportunity. His resurgence caught the eye of Al Haymon and the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), leading to an earned, golden opportunity to fight Sebastian Fundora for the vacant WBC junior middleweight championship on the inaugural PBC on Amazon Prime PPV card, headlined by Tim Tszyu vs Keith Thurman. However, when Thurman had to withdraw from his bout with Tszyu due to a medical issue, the event was restructured, and Bohachuk was set to face Brian Mendoza for the WBC interim junior middleweight title.

Bohachuk seized this opportunity with both hands, dominating Mendoza and securing an impressive unanimous decision victory. This win not only earned him the WBC interim title but also a legion of new fans. After the fight, Bohachuk’s playful engagement with fans on social media showcased a side of his personality that endeared him even further to the boxing community.

As fate would have it, another opportunity presented itself when Tszyu was forced to pull out of a scheduled bout with Ortiz. Bohachuk immediately campaigned to replace Tszyu, and a deal was struck between his promoter and Golden Boy Promotions, setting the stage for the biggest fight of Bohachuk’s career.

Now, Bohachuk stands on the brink of greatness. On August 10, at the Michelob ULTRA Arena, live on DAZN, he will face Vergil Ortiz in a clash that promises fireworks. This is not just another fight for Bohachuk; it is the culmination of a long and meandering journey that began in the streets of Vinnytsia. No longer the boy fending off bullies, Bohachuk is ready to conquer a new bully of sorts and etch his name in Ukrainian boxing history.