Philippines, 01 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Press Conference Notes: Robeisy Ramirez Ready to Defend Featherweight Crown against Rafael Espinoza

PhilBoxing.com




Ramirez-Espinoza and Xander Zayas-Jorge Fortea will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ Saturday beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. (Dec. 7, 2023) — Robeisy "El Tren" Ramirez is ready to defend his world title in front of a crowd of Cuban supporters in South Florida.

Ramirez (13-1, 8 KOs) will defend his WBO featherweight crown against
unbeaten Mexican contender Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza (21-0, 18 KOs) this Saturday, Dec. 9 at Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

In the 10-round junior middleweight co-feature, Puerto Rican sensation Xander Zayas (17-0, 11 KOs) squares off against Spain’s Jorge Fortea (24-3-1, 9 KOs).

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

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions, tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com.

The ESPN+-streamed undercard (5:40 p.m. ET/2:40 p.m. PT) features the return of rising featherweight Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (9-0, 5 KOs), who will take on former world title challenger Jason Sanchez (16-4, 9 KOs) in a 10-round bout.

U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (7-0, 7 KOs) will face Curtis Harper (14-10, 9 KOs) in an eight-round heavyweight battle.

The undercard also sees the returns of Dominican Olympian Rohan Polanco (10-0, 6 KOs) and U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (10-0, 5 KOs) in separate eight-round junior welterweight bouts.

At Thursday's press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.

Robeisy Ramirez

“Aside from being very concentrated on this fight, I am also very excited and happy to be able to defend my world title in Miami, where I know my Cuban people will be in attendance. I’m excited for the show we’ll be delivering this Saturday."

“Becoming a champion has been a change for the better. This includes the training because that is what has to change the most as you always have to be prepared for a great 12-round fight.”

“I have never struggled with taller fighters. But with regard to how I will fight, I leave that to my trainer, Ismael Salas.”

Rafael Espinoza

“This is a moment that all boxers hope for. I have been wanting this opportunity ever since I first put on a pair of gloves. Now I’m here. This means everything to me.”

“I always try to use my height advantage. My body has been blessed with this height, and I don’t even struggle to make weight. Obviously, I use it to my advantage, but like all Mexicans, I like coming forward, too.”

“My 21 fights are behind me, and what I have in front of me is this important opportunity, this world title fight.”

Xander Zayas

“I am very happy that he’s coming well prepared and that he had all the preparation in the world because I want the best Jorge Fortea that night. I will give the best version of myself. In my last fight, I showed why I’m made for this. This next fight will be the same.”

“I don’t feel like there’s anything special {about him}. The speed is something that could concern me. He’s not faster or stronger than me, but he does have some good speed.”

Jorge Fortea

“This is boxing. And anything can happen. I’ve prepared very well because they notified me of this fight ahead of time. Normally, I’m not notified ahead of time. That’s why I’m very prepared.”

“My goal right now is to win this fight. It will move me up the ladder and allow me to have more fights at this level.”

Richard Torrez Jr.

“I really do enjoy just being active. This kind of reminds me of the amateur days, where we’d have five fights in like five days. So sometimes it feels a little slow almost. But this is an amazing opportunity to be here to showcase all the training that we’ve been doing.”

“We’re prepared for the rounds. If the opportunity comes to have a knockout, I’m not going to pass it up. I go out there to showcase what I’ve been able to do, and if a punch lands, a punch lands.”

Bruce Carrington

“I’m really focused on this fight. But I also want to stay as consistent as I am. I love being inside the ring. This is my fifth fight this year. I want to give the fans more of me and more of what they want to see in 2024.”

“It’s really important for me to really put on a show for everyone so we can enjoy the holidays.”

Saturday, December 9

ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

Robeisy Ramirez vs. Rafael Espinoza, 12 rounds, Ramirez's WBO Featherweight World Title

Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Fortea, 10 rounds, junior middleweight

ESPN+ (5:40 p.m. ET/2:40 p.m. PT)

Bruce Carrington vs. Jason Sanchez, 10 rounds, featherweight

Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Curtis Harper, 8 rounds, heavyweight

Jahi Tucker vs. Francisco Daniel Veron, 8 rounds, junior middleweight

Rohan Polanco vs. Keith Hunter, 8 rounds, junior welterweight

Tiger Johnson vs. Jimmer Espinosa, 8 rounds, junior welterweight

Damian Knyba vs. Michael Coffie, 8 rounds, heavyweight




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri and John Jerish Velarde struck gold and bronze
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Would OKC Still Win the West If Dallas Had Not Traded Doncic?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 27 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.