Two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez (11-1, 7 KOs) and former junior featherweight world champion Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe (24-2, 15 KOs) are set to collide this Saturday for the vacant WBO featherweight world title at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
In the co-feature, two-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez (25-3, 15 KOs) will take on Mexico’s Jose Enrique Vivas (22-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight tilt.
CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 30: Joet Gonzalez (L) and Jose Enrique Vivas (R) pose during the press conference prior to their April 1 featherweight fight at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on March 30, 2023 in Catoosa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
Undercard fighters include Tulsa-born heavyweight prospect Jeremiah Milton (8-0, 6 KOs), lightweight sensation Emiliano Fernando Vargas (3-0, 2 KOs), U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (7-0, 5 KOs), and a high-stakes junior middleweight bout between Jahi Tucker (9-0, 5 KOs) and Nikoloz Sekhniashvili (8-1, 6 KOs).
Ramirez-Dogboe headlines a stacked card streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Holden Productions, tickets starting at $49.50 are on sale now and available to purchase at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.
At Thursday’s press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.
CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 30: Robeisy Ramirez (L) and Isaac Dogboe (R) pose during the press conference prior to their April 1 WBO featherweight championship fight at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on March 30, 2023 in Catoosa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
Robeisy Ramirez
“This title opportunity means everything. We are ready. I’ve come to fight the best. And now we are here. When I say that I’m ready, it’s because I’ve passed through the process. It’s all about the process. Life shows you that if you don’t pass through the process, things can happen. So, the opportunity has come at the right moment. I am ready.
“This camp has been totally different. We did lots of new things with my strength and conditioning coach. But we are ready for this fight, and for the fights that happen after.
CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 30: Robeisy Ramirez speaks during the press conference ahead of his April 1 WBO featherweight championship fight with Isaac Dogboe, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on March 30, 2023 in Catoosa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
“{Trainer} Ismael Salas is a strategist. He is an excellent teacher. He has many world champions, and he has been doing this for many years. Salas has given me the confidence, the knowledge and dexterity to bring out the best of me in the ring. Working with him has been the best thing that has happened to my career.”
Isaac Dogboe:
“I feel great. They say that the third time’s a charm. The first time was great. The second time wasn’t all that great. But I feel great about this trip.
CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 30: Isaac Dogboe poses during the press conference ahead of his April 1 WBO featherweight championship fight with Robeisy Ramirez, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on March 30, 2023 in Catoosa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
“I’m always hopeful. If I say I’m going to do something, I’m always going to show up. I thank God for giving me that mental fortitude. That’s why everything that has transpired in my boxing career has happened.
“I have a second chance now. I know that Robeisy is tough. He is a good fighter. But I know that we will come out with the victory on April 1.”
Joet Gonzalez:
“I’m always in the gym working really hard. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the win that night against Isaac Dogboe. The judges believed that Isaac won it. Now he’s in his position, and I’m in my position.
CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 30: Joet Gonzalez (L) and Jose Enrique Vivas (R) face-off during the press conference prior to their April 1 featherweight fight at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on March 30, 2023 in Catoosa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
“I expect another tough fight. I think people know the type of fighter I am. I’m here to fight the elite fighters. I’m here to be in tough fights.
“I have three losses now. I’m 29. I need this victory because I still have a lot to prove.”
Jose Enrique Vivas:
“I’m not scared of anyone. I know that he has Mexican blood like I do. When there are two Mexicans in the ring, it’s guaranteed to be a war. It will be a great show, and I will win.
“For this camp, I was in Mexico for six weeks. Then, I spent four weeks with Manny Robles and Edgar Jasso. I feel like I have gotten a lot better. I feel better than ever. I’ve been working with them for years, so I feel great.”
CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 30: Jahi Tucker (L) and Nikoloz Sekhniashvili (R) face-off during the press conference prior to their April 1 welterweight fight at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on March 30, 2023 in Catoosa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
Jahi Tucker:
“I’ve been in this game for about three years now. I’m seasoned. I’m taking my steps to be the best fighter in the world. Slowly but surely, we are going to keep climbing. Niko, you got to be on the journey. You got to take this ‘L’ from me.”
Nikoloz Sekhniashvili:
“I respect every fighter. And, of course, Jahi is a very good fighter. But I’m not going to give him a chance. I believing in showing, not telling. And I’m going to show everyone on Saturday.”
CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 30: Emiliano Vargas poses during the press conference ahead of his April 1 lightweight fight with Edgar Uvalle, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on March 30, 2023 in Catoosa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
Emiliano Fernando Vargas:
“It’s great to have the opportunity to step in there and showcase my skills. I’m blessed to do it with Top Rank. I’m ready to show the world that the legacy does continue, and I’m writing my story in the meantime.
“I’m excited. I’m ready. Another performance is coming.”
Jeremiah Milton
“It’s good to back home. It’s good to be back in my city Tulsa, Oklahoma. It’s been about eight months since I’ve been back home.
“Now I’m 8-0 and making my way up this ladder. I’m still pushing for my dream every day. It’s a special time, and I’m going to have my people here supporting me.”
Saturday, April 1
ESPN+ (7:10 p.m. ET/4:10 p.m. PT)
Robeisy Ramirez vs. Isaac Dogboe, 12 rounds, Vacant WBO Featherweight World Title
Joet Gonzalez vs. Jose Enrique Vivas, 10 rounds, Featherweight
Jahi Tucker vs. Nikoloz Sekhniashvili, 8 rounds, Junior Middleweight
Jeremiah Milton vs. Fabio Maldonado 8 rounds, Heavyweight
Tiger Johnson vs. Alfonso Olvera, 8 rounds, Junior Welterweight
Dante Benjamin Jr. vs. Jasper McCargo, 6 rounds, Light Heavyweight
Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Edgar Uvalle, 4 rounds, Lightweight
Abdullah Mason vs. Erick Garcia Benitez, 6 rounds, Lightweight
Rohan Polanco vs. Ricardo Quiroz, 6 rounds, Junior Welterweight
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