By Vince Dwriter: Former three-division champion Vasiliy “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KOs) is ready to return to the ring, and his goal is to become the undisputed lightweight world champion.
Before Lomachenko can think about strap season, he must focus on the fall season and his fight in New York on October 29 at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
With Devin Haney and George Kambosos Jr having their rematch on October 15, the plan is for Lomachenko to return to the ring on October 29 and then fight the winner of Haney-Kambosos 2 in 2023. The road to the undisputed crown lies has set in motion, but Lomachenko’s opponent hopes to derail Loma’s path to titles.
Jamaine Ortiz (16-0, 8 KOs) is an undefeated lightweight contender from Worcester, Massachusetts. Her most notable win came in May 2022 when she earned a unanimous decision win over former WBO junior lightweight champion Jamel Herring.
Ortiz was able to get the win by giving different looks, using the jab, landing effective combinations and getting past Herring. After getting the biggest win of his career from him, Ortiz admitted that he is a fighter who is learning on the job.
“I still have a lot of work to do. I’m just growing up and going at the rate I’m going. I have to learn fast, and I have to improve things a bit. I’m not afraid of challenges, and I’m here to prove that I’m the best for myself, no one else.”
The 26-year-old boxer is a confident fighter who is not afraid of risks. He is a hungry fighter who believes in himself and strives to put his name in the conversation of the main contender. With his scheduled fight against Lomachenko, he is putting his undefeated record on the line, but a win would equate to huge rewards as it would change the trajectory of his boxing career.
If Jamaine Ortiz is learning on the job, then on October 29 he will take a quantum leap from Boxing 101 to the advanced masterclass when he shares the ring with Vasiliy Lomachenko.
Ortiz is a technical fighter who is naturally right-handed, but is able to routinely switch from orthodox to southpaw. He is athletic, has a good jab, moves well around the ring and is capable of disrupting the pace of a fight by throwing punches in groups.
Most fight fans look at the boxing calendar and classify this fight as a tune-up for Lomachenko, but Ortiz sees the fight as something he was really looking forward to.
Ortiz wants to face the best competition throughout his boxing journey as he strives to achieve his ultimate goal.
“I am excited for this fight. Vasiliy Lomachenko is a great fighter, but I am here to win. Once I win this fight, I will be looking for a world title shot. This is a dream come true.”
Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz is a motivated fighter who is taking a big step forward in her class. On October 29, she will knowingly enter the ring as a major underdog, but she is also aware of the fact that if she can find a way to pull off the upset, it would be a life-changing victory.
Ortiz isn’t feeling overwhelmed at the moment due to the fact that he trained with Lomachenko last year when Lomachenko was preparing to fight Richard Commey.
Skill-wise, Ortiz has the potential to make the Lomachenko fight competitive, but the question arises when you contemplate whether Ortiz has enough to win the fight.
With that being said, you have to consider the fact that in the sport of boxing, anything can happen. Vasiliy Lomachenko intends to win this fight and move on to fight for the undisputed lightweight crown, but Jamaine Ortiz is committed to ruining those plans.
Ortiz has the power of belief on his side, and that, combined with his boxing skills, could possibly see history repeat. The last time a hungry and extremely determined fighter fought at the Hulu Theater, Teofimo Lopez lost his title. Is there another annoying Hulu Theater on the horizon?
