The WBC has put Serhii Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) back in as number 1 at junior middleweight. Promoter Tom Loeffler pushed the case and won the appeal after Jaron “Boots” Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs) announced a move to 154 but hadn’t actually fought there.
That decision means Bohachuk is once again in line for a crack at champion Sebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs). But before that happens, he’s got to deal with some old business — a September 13 rematch with Brandon Adams on the Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford undercard. Adams stopped him back in 2021, and plenty of fans still haven’t forgotten it.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just paperwork. Bohachuk’s whole career is riding on what happens next. Loeffler argued that guys already fighting at 154 should be ahead of names only talking about it, and the WBC agreed.
The sanctioning body even pointed to the Ali Act in its statement:
“The WBC’s Ratings Appeals Committee received and resolved the appeal in compliance with the provisions of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act…”
That sounds nice, but at the end of the day, none of it will matter if Bohachuk can’t flip the result against Adams. Lose again and the no 1 spot goes straight in the bin.
Fundora’s Side of It
Fundora, the “Towering Inferno,” is a nightmare frame for 154. Six-foot-six, throws in bunches, southpaw — but his chin doesn’t always back him up. Mendoza exposed him with that brutal stoppage in 2023. To his credit, he came back and beat Jesus Ramos Jr., but it didn’t exactly erase the doubts.
A fight with Bohachuk is the classic mix: size and volume against relentless pressure and knockout power. Bohachuk has 23 stoppages in 24 wins — he’s not coming to box pretty, he’s coming to break you down. On paper, someone gets hurt.
As for Ennis, he’s now focused on 154 and maybe 160. The kid’s a star in the making, no question. But the WBC is right — you don’t become number 1 in a division you’ve never fought in. For now, Bohachuk’s the one holding the ticket.
My Take: Credit to the WBC here. They usually get hammered for dodgy rankings, but this time they made the fair call. Bohachuk has been active, patient, and consistent. Ennis will get his chance, but he’s got to earn it at the weight first.
The real drama is September 13. If Bohachuk beats Adams, Fundora-Bohachuk is a fan-friendly scrap: height and awkward angles versus pressure and power. If Adams pulls it off again, Bohachuk’s number 1 tag gets ripped up overnight.
Simple as that.
Last Updated on 08/26/2025
Read the full article here