Two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez will face former WBO junior featherweight champion Isaac Dogboe on April 1 in Tulsa, live on ESPN+. Both fighters are looking to make a statement and prove themselves as contenders in the 126-pound division. But who has the edge in this matchup? Let’s break down the strengths and weaknesses of both fighters and see who wins.
Robeisy Ramirez
Ramirez is one of the most decorated amateur boxers of all time, having won gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, as well as multiple world and continental titles. He turned pro in 2019 and has since compiled a record of 11-1 with 7 knockouts. His only loss came in his debut, when he was upset by Adan Gonzales via split decision. He has since avenged that defeat and scored impressive wins over veterans like Felix Caraballo and Ryan Lee Allen.
Ramirez is a southpaw with excellent skills, speed, footwork and ring IQ. He can box from the outside or fight on the inside, depending on the situation. He has a sharp jab, a powerful left hand and a variety of combinations. He also has good defense and reflexes, making him hard to hit cleanly. He is not a one-punch knockout artist, but he can hurt his opponents with accumulation and precision.
Isaac Dogboe
Dogboe is a former world champion who captured the WBO junior featherweight title in 2018 by knocking out Jessie Magdaleno in a thrilling fight. He defended his belt once against Hidenori Otake before losing it to Emanuel Navarrete in a one-sided beatdown. He then lost the rematch to Navarrete by TKO in 2019. He bounced back with two wins over Chris Avalos and Adam Lopez in 2020.
Dogboe is an aggressive fighter who likes to come forward and throw punches in bunches. He has good power, especially in his right hand and left hook. He also has a solid chin and a lot of heart, as he showed in his fights with Magdaleno and Navarrete. He is not afraid to trade and go for the knockout. However, he also tends to neglect his defense and leave himself open for counters. He can be outboxed by more skilled and taller fighters who can keep him at bay with their reach and movement.
Prediction
Ramirez has the edge in experience, technique and versatility, while Dogboe has the edge in power, aggression and durability. Both fighters are hungry and motivated to prove themselves as elite featherweights.
The key factors in this fight will be distance and pace. If Ramirez can keep Dogboe at the end of his jab and use his angles and footwork to avoid his pressure, he can outbox him and win on points or even stop him late. If Dogboe can close the distance and force Ramirez into a brawl, he can overwhelm him with his volume and power and hurt him or knock him out.
I think Ramirez will be able to control the fight with his superior skills and intelligence. He will use his jab to keep Dogboe at bay, land his left hand when he sees an opening, and tie him up when he gets too close. He will also move laterally and change levels to confuse Dogboe and make him miss. Dogboe will have his moments when he lands some big shots, but he will also take a lot of punishment in return. Ramirez will win by unanimous decision or late TKO.
