Top Rank Promotions, Robeisy Ramirez Vs. Rafael Espinoza Headliner. Jahi Tucker Battles NO#5 Ranked Francisco Veron
By “The Context”
Charles F. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines Florida, It may be the final month of the year but boxing never stops as Top Rank Boxing end of the year fight card host two time Olympian Robeisy Ramirez ( 13-1, 8 KOs), he defends his WBO featherweight championship against Rafael Espinoza ( 21-0, 18 KOs).
On paper, this headliner presents a lopsided gap in experience comparing champion-to-challenger appraisal, but make no mistake about Ramirez disbursement of former champion Isaac Dogboe and his recent halting of Satoshi Shimizu in five rounds, Ramirez is a beast, has shown to be a crowd pleaser who pushes the action and methodically dismantle his adversaries.
Come Saturday night, Espinoza looks to dethrone the tenacious Cuban super star. Espinoza wearing a five fight knock out streak with an early closer in his last fight ticking down a second round closure shutting Ally Mwerangi lights out. Yes, two things for certain is fight fans should expect dynamite clash in the main event and if I’m a betting man Ramirez should be victorious when the smoke clears. Moving forward, the undercard is hosting some exciting names rising through the ranks under the Top Rank Banner.
Names like Jahi Tucker, Xander Zayas ,Bruce Carrington, Rohan Polanco, Delante Johnson, Damian Knyba, and Richard Torres. All of these names with be future risers to look out for in 2024.
Speaking of future stars, the (10-1, 5 KOs) Tucker return giving us the boxing intrigue we yearn for watching young stars on the rise. With only 20 amateur bouts, Tucker professional debut started at the youthful age of 17. Some fighters acclimate fasters than others, so it’s logical to say that recording a high number of amateur experience doesn’t always guarantee a fighter ascension in the sport. Tucker was still in high school when he decided to pursue boxing as a professional. Him finding a gym wasn’t an issue, his team selected to settle in at Suffolk Pal Brentwood as his nesting place for training moving forward. They haven’t looked back.
Coming full circle, Tucker has been signed to the flagship of boxing Top Rank promotions since day one. (Media Marketing Agent) Shalom Jones, a team member of Tucker would successfully communicate with prominent manager J-Prince in facilitating Tucker entry to the boxing universe asking “Who is Jahi Tucker?”
Much of what Tucker use too reminisce about competing on the big stage is now a reality. His first fight would be in the mecca of Las Vegas, MGM Grand ending with a first round stoppage. He continued to reel off victories drawing attention as a sly, elusive but tenacious boxer inside the ropes. He would continue to tally up wins under the bright lights of ESPN broadcasting with viral clips displaying his technical prowess.
JAHI TUCKER Vs NIKOLOZ SEKNIASHVILLI
April 1st, 2023, Tucker registered an unblemished record with nine consecutive wins up to said date. His opponent Sekniashvilli, was said to be a sparring partner of rising star Zayas which led to frenzy of media debates. Think about Sekniashvilli, a boxer who previously competed as high as 177lbs, set to contend Tucker first fight transferring from 147lbs up to 154lbs. It didn’t take long for a verbosity of chatter doubting Tucker chances to beat the massive Sekniashvilli, a challenge Tucker would soon welcomed with 10oz gloves.
FIGHT OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE
Tucker, opening round tested Sekniashvilli power early landing a stiff left hook leaving him temporarily buzzed as Sekniashvilli tried to finish, Tucker quickly recovered and went to work. Sekniashvilli, single window of opportunity expired as Tucker changed gears with vicious intent as he commenced to battering the larger opposition on the inside, igniting a head-to-head war center-square igniting the fans in attendance. Looking back in hindsight, there was probably a game plan to start, but it was clear both fighters tossed it in the bin and went to war. Their gamesmanship drew the battle lines, Tucker work rate wouldn’t be denied as he chipped away the armor of the larger Sekniashvilli in exchanges that emoted cheers from the crowd for more violence. Tucker continued his rampage, demonstrating astute boxing IQ, with a mean competitive appetite to break Seknaishvilli will with a vengance. Tucker would dominate the remaining seven rounds earning his 10th professional win to the delight of Tulsa Oklahoma fans.
JAHI TUCKER VS NICKLAUS FLAZ
Flaz was next on the schedule to challenge Tucker in his 11th professional bout. A tough, crafty Puerto Rican boxer hosting (10-2, 7KOs) ledger. Right from the start, the pace was different or should one assume a lower level of intensity from Tucker. He selected to box Flaz at distance with a reduced volume of punches from his usual up-tempo. As rounds ticked the night, the exchanges were closely contested from both sides. Hearing the final bell to the judges scorecard, they rendered a decision in favor of Flaz. Tucker recorded the first lose of his career but he didn’t complain and walked away in positive spirits reflecting on what he could have did better. Later, I reached out to his team member Shalom Jones about the performance, he informed me that Tucker had been nursing a hand injury.
JAHI TUCKER VS FRANCISCO VERON
Charles F. Dodge City Center is next on the itinerary for Tucker return following his first defeat back in July, 2023. The calendared date is December 9th for a scheduled 8th round showcase. Tucker will compete in his 12th professional contest versus another tough opposition. Veron (13-0 10 KOs) is an undefeated boxer moving down in weight to challenge Tucker. A 2020 Olympian who is currently a top five (WBA) ranked 160lb middleweight set to split the ropes in his first fight at 154lbs. Veron comes in the bigger fighter for Tucker who’s demonstrated the ability to compete against sizeable opponents in the past, so the common denominator will be execution. Veron weighs in as another solid test for Tucker, he’s fought a pair of ten-rounders, but come Saturday night will be Veron first eight round fight in his professional career. The table is set as Tucker seeks to bounce back from his single defeat and shake up the super welterweight division once again. This bout has fight of the night thriller written all over it.
If a prediction is warranted, then I’m picking Tucker via decision in his return. I expect an educational approach to his fight strategy, utilizes his superb agility, showoff his hand speed, stay active off the jab and delegate his curriculum as the better all around boxer.