Tonight at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, California, in a fight televised live on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes (10 PM ET/7 PM PT), Jayson Velez (22-0-1, 16 KOs), aka La Maravilla, the rising star from Caguas, Puerto Rico, fights Daniel “Huracan” Ramirez (11-2 5 KOs), from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, in a fight scheduled for 10 rounds.
The 27-year-old Velez, who is ranked #9 at featherweight by the WBA, turned pro 2007. His US debut was in 2009 on the undercard of his mentor, Puerto Rico’s favorite son Miguel Cotto. Since arriving US soil, La Maravilla has racked up 14 straight wins, with over 60% of those wins coming by way of early stoppage. His most recent fight, against IBF World featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich, ended in a split decision draw.
After the draw with Gradovich, Velez cleaned house and joined forces with Freddie Roach.
I spoke with the Velez earlier this week and asked about that fight.
“I think that things played out the way they were meant to,” he said. “I know now that I need to be more focused. I trained with Freddie earlier in the year, but because he was a little busy working with Manny I decided to go back to Puerto Rico and finish up training with my strength and conditioning coach, Abeile Muerlo. Gradovich was awkward in the way that he moved. Ramirez is an aggressive fighter that I know will come forward. He is not afraid to brawl.”
I asked Velez about his strategy against Ramirez.
“My strategy for Thursday is to stay focused and make sure to fight the way I want to. I want to have control over the ring. What happened in the past is in the past. Now it is time to move forward and continue to work on getting closer to becoming a world champion. I would like to fight for a belt. The division is full of great fighters. Lomanchenko is a great fighter and someone I would like to fight. I am not afraid of anyone.”
That fearlessness is matched by the steadfast resolve that is part of every fighter’s arsenal.
“As a fighter I have to be prepared to fight anyone and treat every fight like it is a championship fight. I am humble and persistent, because I know who I am and I am grateful for every opportunity. But I also never quit and aim to reach my goals every time. I am a complete boxer. I can do anything and can adjust to any style. At this level no fight is easy and I cannot underestimate any fighter. I am fighting in my first main event in California on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes and I am excited about the opportunity to show the fans who Jayson Velez is.”
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
