Vasyl Lomachenko fights on

On October 29, 2022, from Madison Square Garden Theater, NY, NY (ESPN +), it’s Vasiliy "High-Tech" Lomachenko (Ukraine) vs. Jamaine "The Technician" Ortiz, from Puerto Rico.

Background: So, it’s High-Tech vs. The Technician... nice nicknames!

Vasiliy Lomachenko was and remains one of the best fighters in the world.  What keeps Lomachenko from emerging as one of the very best of the modern era–at least as a pro – is that he doesn’t seem to be able to climb weight divisions with the ease of other fighters. Not every boxing fan seems to hold it against him, but many point to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Sugar Ray Leonard and say: ’Nah, you have to go north through the weight classes to be considered great."

I think the Loma that beat Nicholas Walters–on that form would wipe out or easily beat all of today’s contenders from 126 to 135 pounds. I think he’s lost half a step, but given his unbelievable experience and being, overall, a very smart guy, he’s probably still about even with all of them. And yes, that includes Shakur Stevenson.

Yeah, Teofimo Lopez beat Loma fair and square. Lomachenko was injured. Many fighters are. It was a career night for Lopez, the rightful winner. I believe a healthy Lomachenko defeats "that" Lopez, but it’s irrelevant; on Lopez’ special night, he lost.

Lomachenkos’s opponent, Jamaine Ortiz, is one of these guys, I guess, that had a place in line and therefore got the fight.

Ortiz can fight! That’s the good news. The dude can box. Very quick hands, and good fundamentals. He loves to work up and down.  I think this transition, from head to body, will be key. Loma doesn’t like it to the body, but I wouldn’t say Ortiz works up and down fast enough to really hurt the Ukrainian to the stomach. Ortiz has a very significant reach advantage. This is something to watch for.

Fighters’ Grades: (Speed, Power, Defense, Reach, Age, Stamina, Experience)

Vasiliy Lomachenko: A B+ B+ B- B- B+ A Total: B+ (3.3).

Jamaine Ortiz: B+ B- B B+ B B B Total: B (3.0).

Reality Check: How much of a danger is Ortiz? A measurable one. I often sneer at amateur stars. Hell, everyone used to. All the networks praise an amateur background, but then most network pundits don’t know boxing from a bag of beans. Lomachenko is obviously an exception. His amateur days were meaningful.

He had 396 amateur fights and is 34. He’s been injured and he’s had surgery. It could all go overnight, or, his skillset may remain intact. I’m shocked that, now that he’s past his physical peak, he still looks about the same. Amazing stuff.

It’s the reach and body attack of Ortiz that should worry High Tech fans the most. Loma is a small person. No matter how great his skills are, he can’t chop four inches off an opponent’s reach. He also hates bodyshots—in the amateurs, fantastic body-snatchers are not that common. Regardless, it’s a chink in his armor.

That aside, he’s still Vasiliy Lomachenko, one of the most skilled fighters in a generation. Only Lopez negated his angles and the round he didn’t – he very nearly was stopped.

If Lomachenko cruises to a decision, he ought to plan the concluding part of his career. Knowing Loma’s heart, he’ll only want the toughest, most meaningful fights against champions. If he crushes and knocks out the capable Ortiz and looks like the 2018 version – watch out fellow fighters–no matter your last name.

If Ortiz scores the upset, the curtain comes down on High Tech’s career.

Fight And Prediction: Vasiliy Lomachenko by clear UD 12, Jamaine Ortiz.