By Robert Segal: Vasyl Lomachenko – Jamaine ‘The Technician’ Ortiz and Robeisy Ramirez – Jose Matias Romero all weighed in successfully on Friday for their Saturday bouts, October 29th, on ESPN+ at Madison Square Garden in New York.
(Photo credit: Mikey Williams – Top Rank via Getty Images)
‘The Matrix’ Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KOs) weighed in at 134.6 lbs, and his talented opponent ‘The Technician’ Ortiz (16-0-1, 8 KOs), fresh off his victory over former WBO super middleweight champion Jamel Herring, weighed in at 134 lbs.
What was interesting about the weigh-in was that Lomachenko looked like he was already fully rehydrated. There was no difference in size between how Lomachenko looked earlier this week and how he did today.
That’s a sign that Loma is fighting at his true weight and not one of those fighters that drain down 15 to 20 lbs to make weight in a division not suited to their body frame.
Ortiz looked thin but not drained how undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney appeared at the weigh-in for his recent successful title defense against George Kambosos Jr on October 15th in Melbourne, Australia.
In the chief support weights, the two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez (10-1, 6 KOs) from Cuba weighed in at 125.6 lbs, while his opponent Jose Matias Romero (26-2, 9 KOs) in their scheduled 10 round bout.
Robeisy is also a highly technical fighter with abilities that most fighters could only wish to have. In his debut three years ago, he was upset by Adam Gonzales by a questionable four round split decision.
It was a fight that Robeisy started too slowly, allowing Gonzales to take the rounds on activity. In their rematch in 2020, Robeisy dominated Gonzales, winning a wide six round unanimous decision to avenge his loss.
After ten fights, Robeisy is ready to challenge for a world title soon. He’s hoping he can get a title shot soon against one of the champions, but it might require him to go the mandatory route to get a chance.
Undercard weights:
- Robeisy Ramirez 125.6 lbs vs. Jose Matias Romero 127.4 lbs
- Richard Torrez Jr. 229.4 lbs vs. Ahmed Hefny 218 lbs
- Duke Ragan 128 lbs vs. Luis Lebron 128 lbs
- Nico Ali Walsh 159 lbs vs. Billy Wagner 159 lbs
- Tiger Johnson 141.4 lbs vs. Esteban Garcia 139.2 lbs
- Troy Isley 159 lbs vs. Quincy Lavallais 157.4 lbs
- Abdullah Mason 135.6 lbs vs. Angel Barrera 135 lbs
- Haven Brady Jr. 131 lbs vs. Eric Mondragon 130.6 lbs
“You typically don’t get a card like this with so many up-and-comers,” said Andre Ward to Top Rank Boxing about Saturday’s card on ESPN+. “These are tomorrow’s champions.
“We also have the return of Vasyl Lomachenko, and we also have the march of Robeisy Ramirez and continuing to stake his claim as not just a great but maybe being a great pro one day.”
“Look, I’m just glad Lomachenko is back. Returning back from war. I’m just waiting to see what he has left and see if he can accomplish his goal, and that’s the undisputed championship of the world.”
“As you can see, I’m joined by a lot of world championships, a lot of wins here. Guys, we’ve got a stacked card on the way tomorrow night. There are clear A-sides and B-sides, but a lot of interesting match-ups.
“Look at all the gold and silver medals on this. Everywhere you look, it’s an Olympian with gold medals and silver medals. Everywhere you look up and down the card,” said Kellerman.