SANDY RYAN has the opportunity to fulfill her fairytale rise to the top of the welterweight division in Orlando, Florida. However, her toughest challenge yet awaits just a few miles away from Disneyland.
This Saturday, the 30-year-old from Derby will face Jessica McCaskill to determine the best 147lb fighter in the world. Both women have experienced a rollercoaster 18 months leading up to this moment.
In February of last year, Ryan suffered her first career defeat, losing a split decision to Erica Farias in Nottingham. However, she made a comeback in their rematch five months later. Since then, Ryan has earned two more victories, leading her to this clash with McCaskill.
McCaskill, on the other hand, is rebuilding herself after the third defeat of her career in her last bout against a different British opponent, Chantelle Cameron. Cameron won a comfortable unanimous decision in Abu Dhabi, claiming all the belts at light-welterweight. McCaskill has decided to move back to welterweight and is a narrow favorite to reclaim her past success.
Despite McCaskill’s favoritism, Ryan, with a record of 6-1(2), can take encouragement from McCaskill’s loss to Cameron. McCaskill failed to utilize her power and spent much of the fight chasing shadows. Now, the question is how McCaskill will recover from that humbling defeat against an improving fighter like Ryan. It seems likely that either McCaskill will win by stoppage or Ryan will secure the victory on points.
“I have a lot of respect for her and what she has achieved,” Ryan said. “But this is my time now.”
In the main event at the Caribe Royal, 25-year-old Richardson Hitchins will face his first 12-round fight against the experienced Jose Zepeda. Hitchins, a highly regarded prospect from New York, has had a flawless career since turning professional after his early exit in the 2016 Olympics. Matchroom sees him as a future star, and a victory against Zepeda would be a clear statement of his potential.
However, Zepeda, a southpaw from California, has a long and impressive resume with 40 fights, including matches against Regis Prograis, Ivan Baranchyk, and Jose Carlos Ramirez. Zepeda is known for exciting fights and will try to disrupt Hitchins’ rhythm. If successful, Zepeda could win on points or even secure a late stoppage.
In an undercard fight at middleweight, Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams will take on Steve Rolls in a 10-round bout. Williams, with a record of 14-0 (10), has been a prominent face of Matchroom USA. Despite expectations for a matchup with Felix Cash, Williams now faces Rolls, who has two losses and a year-long hiatus from competition. Williams, a skilled boxer-puncher, should win by decision.
Additionally, there will be a 10-round contest between undefeated Cuban Orestes Velazquez and Mohamed Soumaoro, known as ‘The Black Buffalo,’ who has suffered two consecutive losses. Matchroom’s undefeated duo Khalil Coe and Jeovanny Estela will also have eight-round bouts against Kenmon Evans and Luis Caraballo Ramos, respectively. The first women’s fight of the night will feature Jasmine Artiga, with a record of 10-0-1 (5), against Haley Pasion in an eight-round bout.
THE VERDICT – Another display of brave matchmaking from Team Ryan.