Vasyl Lomachenko and Jamaine Ortiz (16-0-1, 8 KOs), and two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez & Jose Matias Romero discussed their respective fights on Thursday for this Saturday’s card on ESPN at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KOs) is back from defending his country from the invasion. He needs a victory to keep his hope alive for a fight against undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney in early 2023.
Ortiz is arguably the best opponent that Lomachenko has fought in many years, and he’s not someone that he can afford to overlook.
The 26-year-old Jermaine beat former WBO super featherweight champion Jamel Herring last May, sending the 36-year-old into retirement.
“I just wanted to bring a bit of sports attention to our country. And Saturday, which is Sunday morning in Ukraine, I want the people to change their minds towards good emotions,” said Lomachenko.
It would help create interest in Saturday’s card if Devin Haney would confirm that he plans on defending against Lomachenko next, but so far, he’s not uttered a peep about taking that fight.
It appears to some that Haney doesn’t fancy the idea of facing Lomachenko and possibly losing. If Haney chooses not to take the fight, he’ll vacate and move up to 140, leaving his four 135-lb belts fragmented.
Lomachenko would then likely battle #2 Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz for the vacant WBC lightweight title.
“This fight means everything to me. This is something I’ve manifested into my life, eventually fighting Lomachenko,” said Ortiz.
“I think the opponent in front of you brings out the type of fighter you are. I think Lomachenko is going to bring out the best Jamaine Ortiz. The fighter that everybody around me knows. You’re going to see the real ‘Technician’ on Saturday night.”
In the chief support bout, the talented featherweight contender Robeisy Ramirez (10-1, 6 KOs) will be looking to win his 11th consecutive victory over replacement opponent Jose Matias Romero (26-2, 9 KOs).
Robeisy wants a world title shot in 2023, but it remains to be seen if Top Rank will be able to get him one. He’s not mandatory for any of the champions, so it’s possible that Robeisy will need to keep winning until he can get a title shot, likely in 2024.
Romero’s only defeats have come against Michel Rivera and Isaac Cruz.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Vasiliy Lomachenko speaks during the press conference ahead of his October 29 lightweight fight with Jamaine Ortiz, at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Vasiliy Lomachenko (L) and Jamaine Ortiz (R) pose during the press conference prior to their October 29 lightweight fight at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Vasiliy Lomachenko (L) and Jamaine Ortiz (R) face-off during the press conference prior to their October 29 lightweight fight at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: (L-R) Duke Ragan, Troy Isley, Mark Shunock, Richard Torrez Jr and Tiger Johnson attend the press conference at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Tiger Johnson speaks during the press conference ahead of his October 29 welterweight fight with Esteban Garcia, at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Robeisy Ramirez speaks during the press conference ahead of his October 29 featherweight fight with Jose Matias Romero, at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Robeisy Ramirez (L) and Jose Matias Romero (R) pose during the press conference prior to their October 29 featherweight fight at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Robeisy Ramirez (L) and Jose Matias Romero (R) face-off during the press conference prior to their October 29 featherweight fight at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Richard Torrez Jr laughs during the press conference ahead of his October 29 heavyweight fight with Ahmed Hefny, at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Jose Matias Romero speaks during the press conference ahead of his October 29 featherweight fight with Robeisy Ramirez, at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Duke Ragan speaks during the press conference ahead of his October 29 featherweight fight with Luis Lebron, at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)