Robeisy Ramirez headlines a card at Charles F. Dodge City Centre in Florida this Saturday, and he defends his WBO featherweight crown against Rafael Espinoza in the main event of a Top Rank promoted card. The Ramirez vs Espinoza bill also includes a host of talent on the undercard.
Sky Sports televise Ramirez vs Espinoza live in the UK, and ESPN host the USA broadcast.
Double-Olympic champion Ramirez (13-1, 8KOs) has been superb of late, realising his vast potential. He did start his pro career with a nightmare loss though, dropped by Adan Gonzales before losing a split decision over four rounds.
He would go on to avenge that defeat, and became WBO champion in April, taking the vacant belt with a masterful display against Isaac Dogboe. Dogboe was floored in the final round, and lost widely on the cards. Ramirez would travel to Japan for his most recent assignment, where he dazzled in a one-sided fifth round stoppage of Satoshi Shimizu in July.
Mexico’s Espinoza (21-0. 18KOs) comes next, and he arrives in Florida unbeaten, but having not boxed outside his homeland since 2015. His last five bouts have ended early, all against limited opposition, with the last victory a second round knockout of Ally Mwerangi in July.
Credit: Mikey Williams, Top Rank
Prediction: Ramirez is a special talent, and I can’t see him slipping up here. The Cuban can take a stoppage after halfway, if not, it should be a landslide points win.
Two ten round contests head a talent filled undercard.
Xander Zayas (17-0, 11KOs) takes on a ten round assignment for only the second time, as he is pitted against Jorge Fortea (24-3-1, 9KOs) at super welterweight. Zayas had his first scheduled ten rounder in September, and stopped Roberto Valenzuela Jr in five rounds, while Spaniard Fortea is probably best known for a third round knockout defeat to Anthony Fowler in March 2021. He has won three on the spin since. Zayas should win this one via stoppage.
Bruce Carrington (9-0, 5KOs) moves up to ten round level for the first time, and the featherweight should be able to take a points win against Jason Sanchez (16-4, 9KOs), who took Zelfa Barrett all twelve rounds in April.
In eight rounders, heavyweight hope Damian Knyba (12-0, 7KOs) can bank another early win, this time against Michael Polite Coffie (13-4, 10KOs), while Ricardo Torrez Jr (7-0, 7KOs) can keep up his perfect streak with a knockout win over Curtis Harper (14-10, 9KOs).
At super lightweight, Rohan Polaco (10-0, 6KOs) can outpoint Keith Hunter (15-1, 9KOs), while Delante Johnson (10-0, 5KOs) can do the same against Jimerr Espinosa (15-1, 14KOs). Super welterweight prospect Jahi Tucker (10-1, 5KOs) suffered his first defeat last time out, but he can return to winning ways with a points win against Argentina’s Francisco Daniel Veron (13-0, 10KOs).
