The fight between former WBA junior middleweight champion Israel Medimov and former WBC interim 154-lb champion Serhii Bohachuk will take place in 29 days next month on December 21 in a 12-rounder at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
Potential fight of the night contender
Madrimov-Bohachuk will meet in the co-feature spot on the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk 2 card. There is a good chance that Madrimov and Bohachuk could steal the show from the main event. It wouldn’t be that hard to do because the previous Fury-Usyk clash earlier this year on May 18 wasn’t that entertaining.
It’s impressive that Medimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs) and Bohchuk (24-2, 23 KOs) are willing to fight so hard after losing their previous bouts. Both are in a position where they can’t afford to lose again right now if they want to remain viable options for other big fights.
Medimov is considered by many to win on December 21 due to a recent 12-round unanimous decision loss to Terence Crawford on August 3 in Los Angeles. ‘Little GGG’ Medimov lost by scores of 115-113, 116-112 and 115-113.
Bohachuk lost a 12-round majority decision to Vergil Ortiz Jr. on Aug. 10 in Las Vegas. The scores were 113-113, 114-112 and 114-112.
Madrimov-Bohachuk is taking a big risk.
“These guys are taking a big risk by jumping back into another big fight,” Chris Algieri told Probox TV about the Dec. 21 bout between Israel Medimov and Serhii Bohchuk.
Considering the bleak alternative they’ll face, it’s not such a big threat. If Medymov and Bohchuk aren’t ready to take on this risky matchup, it may be a long time before they get another big fight. Neither guy is popular in America, and they’ll need to beat some solid contenders like Erickson Lubin, Charles Conwell, and Tim Tszew to get a crack at a title.
Two losses back to back, which are really hard to come back from. As long as these guys perform and put on a good show, I think we’ll see both guys around,” Algieri said. “This division is deep, but these guys are great, and when you’re at 154 pounds Talking about them, they belong in this top five group.”
Medimov disappointed some fans by failing to fight aggressively in the championship rounds against the 37-year-old Crawford. Despite having the size, strength, youth and experience advantage over Crawford at 154, Medimov didn’t let up, going nine through twelve over the final four rounds.
“Maybe it’s because they’re Eastern European. Maybe it’s because a guy like Medimov is fast-tracking because of his amateur background. Bohchuk took on Brandon Adams earlier in his career, Algeri said.
“They both have to fight back, especially for Bohchuk. ‘I have to go after him now, or I have to hang him.’ How is this happening? Turki Al-Sheikh is taking out money to give these people a chance and a big platform.
Without the money Bohchuk and Madrymov are getting, they might have chosen to play it safe against a weaker opponent rather than take on this risky matchup. On paper, they both look brave taking on this fight, but fans don’t realize they’re getting paid well. The Fury-Usyk 2 undercard is flawed, so it needs to include at least one good fight.
“I like the change we’re seeing that you don’t have to have an O to be on one of these big cards,” Algieri said.
“I’m ready for Medimov. He’s still carrying himself like a champion. He lost by one ball. [to Terence Crawford]. I’m sure he believes he’s won this fight. I rate Medremov as the best man in the division behind Crawford.
