Jesse Espinas and Jay-R Raquinel in Exhibition Matches in Russia, Having Great Time, Even Meeting Roy Jones Jr.
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 12 Jul 2024
Espinas (L) and Alegria (R) pose with Roy Jones (C).
Filipino fighters Jesse Espinas and Jay-R Raquinel could not have a better time in beautiful Russia, enjoying the awesome experience that will last in their memories for a life time.
The Pinoys have been hired to perform in exhibition matches today, July 12, at the newly built IBA Boxing Stadium in Serpukhov, Moscow Oblast, Russia, a part of an IBA boxing show, comprised of three exhibition matches, and three professional fights, two of them WBA world title fights.
Raquinel and Espinas are being assisted in their corners during their exhibition matches by experienced young coaches Marvin Alegria and Brico Santig.
L-R: Jesse Espinas, Jay-R Raquinel, Promoters Brico Santig and Liu Gang enjoy their time in Russia.
The world-ranked Raquinel (WBC #5, IBF #11) of Cauayan, Negros Occidental - with a good pro record of 16-2-1, 13 KO's - will open the Russian 6-bout show with an eight-round exhibition clash against 27-year-old Kazakhstan pro boxer Samat Zhetitayev (6-1, 4 KO's).
During the weigh-in ceremony, Raquinel came-in at 53.3 kilos, while Zhetitayev tipped the scaled at 53.9 Kgs.
ESPINAS EXCITED ABOUT HIS EXHIBITION IN RUSSIA
Meanwhile Southpaw Jesse Espinas (21-7, 12 KO's) is scheduled in the third match of the evening, a Flyweight exhibition fight against Russian boxer former Amateur standout Vasily Egorov.
Egorov, 31, has never fought has a pro, but as an amateur has won medals in the European Circuit and Amateur World Championships.
Espinas made exactly 50 kilos. Egorov recorded 50.4.
ITINERARY
Thursday Espinas and Raquinel enjoyed the views of Serpukhov, attended the weigh-in ceremony, enjoyed Russian food, their hospitality, and met legendary Hall-of-Famer, former multi-division world champion Roy Jones Jr.
Jay-R Raquinel poses with Roy Jones Jr.
These days could not be more fun for the two Pinoy southpaws, doing what they love, meeting cool people, expediting the rich Russian culture.... while getting getting paid for it. How about that?
Today, Friday July 12, Espinas and Raquinel will perform their required exhibitions, and after that, they will able to watch two entertaining world title fights:
One is the rumble for the vacant WBA Bridgerweight World Title Fight between World-Ranked Chinese tough man Zhang Zhaoxin (16-2-1, 7 KO's) against 27-year-old Russian Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (3-0, 2 KO's).
The Russian Gadzhimagomedov does not have many fights as a pro, but he is a Silver Medalist in the 2020 Olympics. Who will win to become the new world champion?
The second world title fight that Espinas and Raquinel will watch is one for the vacant WBA Interim Super Featherweight Belt between undefeated young gun Russian southpaw Albert Batyrgaziev (10-0, 7 KO's), fighting heavy-bearded dangerous veteran Jono "King Kong" Carroll (24-2-1, 7 KO's) of Ireland.
On Saturday, our boys will take their 14-hour flight Moscow to Manila. This is all good for Jesse Espinas and Jay-R Raquinel. Really good. Enjoy the Awesome Time!!
Photos by Philboxing.com, the Filipino Boxing Portal.
The author of this story is veteran boxing writer Carlos Costa from Panama. Carlos has many lived for years in Cebu, loving the blessed country, being the loving father of two Filipino children. Carlos can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and Whatsapp +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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