Isaac Dogboe’s golden moment as he fights Robeisy Ramirez for WBO title Saturday
Isaac Dogboe has always looked forward to this day, worked his way back to the top after major setbacks, and now another world title beckons on Saturday as he prepares to take on a dangerous opponent, Robeisy Ramirez, in a WBO featherweight championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the United States.
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Dogboe has the finest opportunity again to hold a world title but in a new division, after losing his WBO super bantamweight title five years ago to Emanuel Navarrete.
The strong-hearted Ghanaian picked himself up after consecutive losses to Navarrete which jolted his career. But he reorganised himself and fought his way back into world title contention. After one year break and soul-searching, Dogboe changed his technical team on his return to the ring by opting to train under two top trainers, Barry Hunter and Patrice Harris, in Washington D.C.
The move meant the former world titlist ditched his father and longtime trainer, Paul Dogboe, to improve upon his craft -- a change that had seen him win all four comeback fights under his American trainers.
Dogboe has spent many weeks in the US preparing for his date with destiny and he is in great spirits ahead of Saturday’s world championship bout with Ramirez – a two-time Olympic gold medallist who is making his debut at that stage of his career.
At 28 years, the Ghanaian needs the victory to make a strong statement about the importance of self-belief, motivation, reorganisation, and hard work. He knows too well that have been down and almost out, he must work beyond his limit on Saturday to become a world champion again, almost five years after he first tasted world title glory by dethroning Jessie Magdaleno at the Liacouras Centre in Philadelphia, USA.
Defeating Ramirez, who is three years older and has racked up 11 consecutive victories since losing his pro debut in 2019, would not come easy for Dogboe, but the Ghanaian goes into the bout well-prepared and hungry for another taste of world title glory and silence his doubters on Saturday.
Dogboe (24-2, 15 KOs) is not oblivious to the enormity of the task ahead but remains confident he would defy all odds to become a two-time world champion. He has what it takes to achieve that has been in a similar situation against Magdaleno in 2018.
“Nearly five years ago, I became the WBO junior featherweight champion of the world, to the shock of many people. On April 1, I will be crowned a two-time, two-division champion,” Dogboe told RingTV.
“Ramirez is a good fighter, and I commend him for his achievements. I’ve waited patiently for this opportunity, and I want to thank Bob Arum and the Top Rank family for being good to me over the years. My team and I are preparing for this life-changing opportunity. God Bless all the boxing fans and boxing enthusiasts for their continuous support.”
Dogboe fought back to where he is currently with four consecutive victories including majority decisions over Adam Lopez and Christopher Diaz. He earned a shot at the interim title with last July’s split decision over Joet Gonzalez, a toe-to-toe battle in Hinckley, Minnesota.
Ramirez (11-1, 7 KOs) also worked his way to become one of the division’s top contenders despite losing his pro debut in August 2019.
The Cuban fighter had his breakthrough last year, beating tough opponents such as Eric Donovan, Abraham Nova, and Jose Matias Romero.
In his last six fights, Ramirez has recorded five stoppage wins and is considered one of the greatest boxers ever to emerge from the famed Cuban amateur system which has produced numerous fighting greats.
He also has his eyes firmly set on winning his world title and in doing so wants to deny Dogboe his place in boxing history.
“On April 1, I will enter the ring with the hunger that has brought me here and the hunger that comes with knowing that there is still much to achieve. This is just the beginning for Robeisy ‘El Tren’ Ramírez,” he told Ring TV.
“I have been boxing for more than 20 years and have been a fighter every step of the way.
“Even after winning my second Olympic gold medal, I endured hardships. I embraced the challenges ahead of me and know that my greatest tests and most significant accomplishments in boxing are still ahead of me.”