Jeffries set for rematch against Lina Ramirez
Hollister – Fresh off of her best training camp so far, Hollister-based boxer Kelsey Jeffries is set to get back into the ring tonight when she faces Lina Ramirez at the Seven Feathers Resort and Casino in Canyonville, Ore.
“Kelsey had such a great camp,” manager Bruce Anderson said of the training session in Vero Beach, Fla., where she worked with legendary Buddy McGirt, who has trained the likes of Antonio Tarver and Arturo Gatti and was named the Boxing Writers’ Association of America Trainer of the Year in 2002.
“In my opinion, it’s the best camp she ever had,” Anderson added. “(McGirt) had told me before that he was going to take her to another level.”
The Ali’i Warrior of the South Bay faced Ramirez in July and won a 10-round unanimous decision despite being outweighed by an estimated 10 pounds.
That win earned her the inaugural North American Boxing Federation super bantamweight title just a month after she battled Melissa Hernandez to a draw to retain the International Female Boxers Association featherweight title.
“In the first fight, I just came off that real tough draw with Hernandez. I didn’t know much about (Ramirez),” Jeffries said. “I gave her too much respect in that fight. She’s probably going to be coming into this fight real confident.
“I’ve got to bring something different. She’ll be more aggressive. It’ll probably be more of a challenge.”
But Jeffries, who most recently knocked out Stephanie Dobbs in the fourth round of their Sept. 15 bout at San Jose’s HP Pavilion to improve to 35-9-1, comes into this fight feeling like she’s at the top of her game.
“I’m pumped up because learning all the stuff I learned, I’m ready to show it,” Jeffries said. “I’m at the point in my career where things are starting to flow. It’s starting to progress.”
Jeffries is expected to be outweighed again in this fight, but Anderson said her skills are superior enough that he has high expectations.
“There’s a big size and weight differential,” Anderson said. “But Kelsey is so sharp and advanced that I wouldn’t be surprised if she stopped this girl.”
Despite the busy scheduled she’s had – its her fifth fight this year and her fourth in the past five months – Jeffries is excited about the fight and feels confident and ready.
“I feel very prepared and I’m ready to show some new stuff this fight,” Jeffries said.
Jimmy Durkin is the Hollister Free Lance sports editor. Reach him at (831) 637-5566 ext. 334 or [email protected].
