Saturday night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma could see the coronation of a special fighter, as double Olympic champion Robeisy Ramirez vies for his first world title, with the vacant WBO featherweight title on the line against the respected Isaac Dogboe, a former world champion at super bantamweight.
Top Rank promote Ramirez vs Dogboe with the bill broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK and ESPN+ in the USA.
Cuba’s Ramirez (11-1, 7 KOs) struck gold in 2012 and 2016, but then defected from his homeland in order to turn professional.
Much was expected ahead of his professional debut in 2019, but the southpaw was stunned on his opening contest, as the unheralded Adan Gonzalez dropped him and then took a four round split decision.
After three straight wins, Ramirez would be better prepared for a Gonzalez rematch, and he won all six rounds of their sequel.
2022 saw a real breakout for the 29-year-old, as he halted Eric Donovan, Abraham Nova and Jose Matias Romero in some style to climb the ranks and earn his title shot.
He now faces the tough Dogboe (24-2, 15 KOs) for the belt vacated by WBO super featherweight champion, Emanuel Navarrete.
Born in Ghana, but of British nationality, ‘Royal Storm’ was upgraded to full WBO super bantamweight champion in 2018, and made two successful defences before losing a duo of thrillers against the aforementioned Navarrete, one by decision, and the second by final round stoppage.
A move up in weight followed, and the 28-year-old has won four straight since, his last a split decision win against Joet Gonzalez that earned him the WBO International strap and his shot at the vacant world belt.
Prediction: Ramirez really does look a special talent, much in the mould of fellow double Olympic champion Vasiliy Lomachenko, and I think he will excel against Dogboe, who is a tough nut to crack. Ramirez can become world champion spectacularly with a late stoppage win.
Gonzalez faces Vivas
The previously mentioned Joet Gonzalez (25-3, 15 KOs) returns from defeat to Dogboe here, and the Californian former two-time world title challenger should take his featherweight ten rounder against Enrique Vivas (22-2, 11 KOs) on the scorecards.
Remaining Undercard
In eight round action, Jahi Tucker (9-0, 5 KOs) should stay unbeaten with a points win at welterweight against Nikoloz Sekhniashvili (8-1, 6 KOs), and at super lightweight, Delante Johnson (7-0, 5 KOs) may have to settle for the same against Alfonso Olvera (12-7-3, 4 KOs).
Also at super lightweight, Rohan Polanco (8-0, 5 KOs) can win early against Ricardo Quiroz (12-1, 6 KOs) in their six rounder, and Dante Benjamin (5-0, 3 KOs) should also take a stoppage victory against Jasper McCargo (4-3-2, 2 KOs), also over six at light heavyweight.
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Emiliano Vargas (3-0, 2 KOs) should win his four rounder at lightweight against Edgar Uvalle (2-3-2, 2 KOs) on points.
At heavyweight, Jeremiah Milton (8-0, 6 KOs) can continue his unbeaten streak with a stoppage victory over big-punching Brazilian Fabio Maldonado (29-6, 28 KOs), whilst at lightweight, Abdullah Mason (6-0, 5 KOs) should make it seven straight wins inside the distance against Erick Garcia Benitez (4-3, 1 KO).
