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Robeisy Ramirez vs. Rafael Espinoza & Xander Zayas vs.
Jorge Fortea Headline In Florida Dec. 9
Two high-stakes showdowns top the bill on a special Top Rank
on ESPN card Saturday, Dec. 9 at Charles F. Dodge City
Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
In the main event, Cuban WBO featherweight king Robeisy “El
Tren” Ramirez puts his belt on the line against unbeaten
Mexican contender Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza.
In the 10-round junior middleweight co-feature, Puerto Rican
sensation Xander Zayas squares off against Spain’s Jorge
Fortea.
Ramirez-Espinoza and Zayas-Fortea will be broadcast live on
ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m.
PT
“We are thrilled to be back in South Florida with a loaded
card featuring some incredibly talented fighters,” said Top
Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Ramirez has his hands full against
an undefeated challenger who will not be deterred by the
moment, and I know Xander Zayas wants to make a huge
statement in front of his humongous South Florida fan base.”
Ramirez (13-1, 8 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has
been on a dominant trajectory after joining forces with
trainer Ismael Salas. The 29-year-old southpaw had a
tremendous 2022 in which he stopped Irish veteran Eric
Donovan, then-unbeaten Puerto Rican Abraham Nova and
Argentine contender Jose Matias Romero. This year has been
even better for the fighting pride of Cienfuegos, Cuba, as
he soundly defeated former world champion Isaac Dogboe by
unanimous decision to capture the WBO featherweight title in
April and defended his crown on enemy turf with a
fifth-round TKO against Japanese contender Satoshi Shimizu
in July.
Ramirez said, “Miami is for many of us Cubans an important
meeting point, where Spanish is spoken, our heritage is
celebrated, and we remember our homeland daily through the
city’s vibrant culture. Ever since I turned professional, I
have wanted to fight near my people of Miami, where I also
live. That cherished moment has finally arrived. On December
9, at the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, I
hope to have the support of the Cuban community of Miami and
to see our flag waving everywhere.”
Espinoza (21-0, 18 KOs) has dedicated more than a decade to
his career in the paid ranks, all leading up to his first
opportunity at a world title. He debuted in 2013 and has
fought mostly in his native Mexico, save for two
early-career bouts in the U.S. A giant in his division at
6’1”, Espinoza will boast a seven-inch height advantage and
is coming off a five-fight knockout streak. He tallied
stoppage wins over compatriot Rafael Rosas Ramirez in March
and Tanzania’s Ally Mwerangi in July.
Espinoza said, "I am happy and grateful for what is
happening. The time has come, the opportunity of my life,
and I will not waste it. Robeisy is a great champion, and I
am glad to face someone like him. I know we will have a
great fight, and it will go down in boxing history. I am
sure of it.”
Zayas (17-0, 11 KOs) signed with Top Rank at 16 and has been
on the path to super stardom ever since his pro debut in
October 2019. In 2022, he scored eight-round decision wins
over Quincy LaVallais and Alexis Salazar, along with a
fifth-round TKO against Elias Espadas. In 2023, he notched a
10-round unanimous decision win over Ronald Cruz during
Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend in June and a fifth-round
TKO against hard-hitting Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in
September. Zayas aims to cement his candidacy for a title
shot with his third victory of the year. Fortea (24-3-1, 9
KOs) is a 13-year pro from Spain who coming off a decision
win over the previously unbeaten Ismael Flores in April. He
is riding a three-bout winning streak and is a former WBC
Latino 154-pound belt-holder.
Zayas said, “I am super motivated to close the year with one
more fight in which I will be able to continue demonstrating
the progress of my skills and maturity as a fighter, which I
have achieved thanks to the dedication and all the hard work
in the gym. The goal on December 9 is to continue showing
that I am prepared for the next step.”
The ESPN+ undercard will showcase some of Top Rank’s best
and brightest up-and-coming talents, including:
Rising featherweight Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (9-0, 5
KOs), the fighting pride of Brownsville, Brooklyn, will take
on former world title challenger Jason Sanchez (16-4, 9
KOs). Carrington will attempt to go 5-0 this year in his
first scheduled 10-rounder. Sanchez lost a unanimous
decision to then-WBO featherweight world champion Oscar
Valdez in June 2019.
Junior middleweight Jahi Tucker (10-1, 5 KOs) looks to
bounce back from his first defeat in an eight-rounder
against unbeaten Argentinian Francisco Daniel Veron (13-0,
10 KOs). Tucker overcame a tough Nikoloz Sekhniashvili in
April, but dropped a decision to Nicklaus Flaz in July.
Dominican Olympian Rohan Polanco (10-0, 6 KOs) will lock
horns against Keith Hunter (15-1, 9 KOs) in an eight-round
junior welterweight tilt. Polanco returns following his most
impressive win to date, a fifth-round destruction of
Panamanian contender Cesar Francis in July.
U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (10-0, 5 KOs) makes his fourth
appearance of 2023 in an eight-round junior welterweight
fight against Mexico’s Jimmer Espinosa (15-1, 14 KOs).
Johnson is coming off a hard-earned majority decision over
Ricardo Quiroz in September.
Undefeated heavyweight prospect Damian “Polish Hussar” Knyba
(12-0, 7 KOs), a 6-foot-7 behemoth with an 86-inch reach,
takes on Scott Alexander (17-6-2, 9 KOs) in an
eight-rounder.
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