PHOENIX (Aug. 22, 2018) – Ray Beltran is returning home to defend his title and Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe is looking to bring some lightning and thunder to the desert.

Beltran will defend the WBO lightweight title against former 130-pound champion José Pedraza, Dogboe will make the first defense of his WBO 122-pound world title against Hidenori Otake, and Mayer will face off against Edina Kiss in a six-round special attraction.

Beltran-Pedraza, Dogboe-Otake will be televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The entire undercard will stream on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m ET.

On Wednesday, many of the fighters from Saturday’s 11-fight card worked out for the media at Michael Carbajal’s 9th Street Gym. This is what they had to say.

Ray Beltran

On life as a world champion: “Things have changed a little bit, the way people talk to me and act around me. For me, I still feel like I’m a contender. I’m still the underdog.”

“I think fighting Jose Pedraza and defending my world title near my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, is a dream come true. Defending my title against a Puerto Rican, with the rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico, there’s nothing better than that.”

On fighting in Arizona: “You know how I am. I try to fight and put on a good show and try to make my fans happy. It’s going to be a great fight!”

José Pedraza

On the significance of becoming a two-weight world champion: “It would mean a lot to me because not everyone gets the opportunity to become a world champion. Even fewer boxers become two-division world champions. I am going to take full advantage of this opportunity.”

On staying active in 2018 with three fights: “I like to be more active. I can see the difference. I am more focused. I see that now I’m more mature as a fighter.”

On fighting pressure fighters like Beltran: “A pressure fighter is a perfect style for me because I am more of a boxer. The pressure Beltran puts on a fighter is different because he knows how to cut the ring off very well. He’s going to be tough, but I know we’re going to be victorious.”

Isaac Dogboe

On life as a world champion: “I give praise to the man upstairs, God of creation. We thank him for everything that has happened to Team Dogboe. Being a world champion is great.”

On the reception he received in his native Ghana after winning the title: “The whole nation came out to meet me at the airport. It was amazing.”

On joining the rich history of Ghanaian world champions: “I am very humbled. Boxing in Ghana isn’t as regarded as it is over here. We’ve been able to revive boxing over there. They are loving it. We are changing the perspective of the sport. It is great.”

On Hidenori Otake: “Otake is very strong, physically strong. He has a great record. You can’t underestimate Otake. We’re not underestimating him at all. He’s someone we have our eyes on, and we’re making sure, come Saturday, we are going to take him out.”

On the lack of trash talk compared to before the Jessie Magdaleno fight: “Otake is a gentleman. He’s so humble, and when two humble warriors come together, it’s mutual respect. And that’s how we’re taking it.”

Hidenori Otake

On Isaac Dogboe: “He is a good pressure fighter and a strong fighter. I’m going to use his pressure and his power against him.”

On the recent success of Japanese fighters: “Japanese boxers have been fighting very well recently, and I am looking to do the same. It’s great for Japanese boxing when we come to America and do very well.”

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Undefeated Ghanaian boxer, Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe, put himself in readiness for a world title shot in Las Vegas after beating Javier Chacon to defend his WBO International Junior Featherweight belt last Saturday night at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.

Dogboe proved too strong for the former world title contender after stopping the Argentine in the sixth round via a Technical Knockout in front of a packed crowd, including former President Jerry John Rawlings and boxing legend Azumah Nelson.

With the victory well cemented, World Boxing Organization (WBO) representative in Ghana and a former Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) chief, Samir Captan, says he expects Dogboe to mount the ring to challenge for a world title fight by the end of this year or early next year.

He told the Graphic Sports in a post-fight interview that the time was ripe for Dogboe to storm Las Vegas to prove his talent to the world by ending the country’s search for another world title glory.

“With this performance, Dogboe will now have the opportunity to challenge for a world title later this year or early next year.

“This is the time for him to go to Las Vegas to prove his talent at the world stage and to the entire nation by ending the country’s drought,” Mr Captan said.

Argentine Chacon retired on the stool at the start of round seven having complained to his corner about an injury to his left hand after being subjected to a lot of punishment by the Ghanaian.

Dogboe attacked his opponent right from the first round as he went straight at the South American with ferocious punches with the Argentine forced to defend deep by the Ghanaian.

The 22-year-old title holder continued his swift display in round two and three after connecting several punches and leaving Chacon with no antidote but to endure the punishment.

In round four, both boxers went at each other but it was Chacon who mastered a left hook that caught Dogboe on the jaw but managed to revive himself.

A resilient Dogboe continued his dominance in the fifth and sixth rounds after pounding on Chacon by landing both left and right hooks that nearly sent Chacon to the canvas but the strong Argentine stood firm to continue.

The victory improved Dogboe’s record to an impressive (17-0, 11 KO’s), with Chacon is now at (25-4-1, 7 KO’s) after the bout.

Speaking after his impressive win on the night, Dogboe said he was ready to go to Las Vegas and follow in the footsteps of legendary Azumah Nelson by delivering a world title for the nation since that had been his focus throughout his career.

“I won but had to keep my composure to do so because Chacon is a tough and tricky boxer who can cause any upset at any given time.

“The nation wants me to walk in the shoes of legendary boxer Azumah Nelson and I am ready to challenge for a world title since that had been my focus throughout my career,” Dogboe said.

www.graphic.com.gh/sports/sports-news/dogboe-close-to-world-title-shot.html

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