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.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Signed, Sealed… but Still Unsettled: Unanswered Questions Hang Over Fury-Joshua Ahead of Expected Ink
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 29 Jul 2026VETERAN SAVVY VS UNDEFEATED POWER: MUGICHA NAKAGAWA VS LEMUEL DE BARBO AUGUST 1 IN LA TRINIDAD
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 29 Jul 2026SKYE NICOLSON TO DEFEND WORLD TITLE AGAINST MIYO YOSHIDA ON AUG 29 IN BIRMINGHAM AS MATCHROOM AND MVP ANNOUNCE ALLIANCE
Wed, 29 Jul 2026Tickets for Martinez vs. Plantic in Los Angles, Saturday, August 29
Wed, 29 Jul 2026Grandy Twins Celebrate Milestone 18th Birthday, Set to Shine at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights" on August 14
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Sergeev and Lubkovich set for key bouts at WINLINE. IBA.PRO 20 in Naberezhnye Chelny
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Hard-hitting SEA Games bronze medalist Mark Ashley Fajardo signs with Sanman Boxing
Tue, 28 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 27 JULY 2026: Tszyu vs Spence, Return of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury Highlight Busy Week
By Eric Armit, Tue, 28 Jul 2026The Legacy Continues: Team Durán Prepares for Historic Panama-Mexico Showdown
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 28 Jul 2026NM Ric Portugalera Tops Hongkong Blitz Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 28 Jul 2026Nurghali gets second shot at Japparbergenov’s bantamweight title at International Boxing Day in Astana
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Champion's Mindset: Gustavo Trujillo Ready to Defend BKB Heavyweight Title Against Mark O'Neil at BKB 58
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Spanish boxer Eddine has been Hospitalized in Spain
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 28 Jul 2026PH football in group C, G
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 28 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM MONDAY ROUNDUP: Tszyu Outclasses Spence in Sydney as "The Truth" Retires; Heavyweight Drama in Pattaya and Jeddah
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Mon, 27 Jul 2026