Duke Ragan, a silver medalist in the 2017 World Championships, has signed a promotional deal with Top Rank and Antonio Leonard Promotions.
Duke Ragan is going pro.
The U.S. amateur star, a silver medalist in the 2017 World Championships, has signed a promotional deal with Top Rank and Antonio Leonard Promotions.
The featherweight from Cincinnati will make his debut in a four-rounder on the Eleider Alvarez-Joe Smith Jr. card on Aug. 22 in Las Vegas. His opponent has yet to be determined.
Ragan is trained by Kay Koroma, who also works with Shakur Stevenson, Mikaela Mayer and Jarrett Hurd, among others.
“This opportunity means the world to me,” Ragan said. “Since I didn’t go to the Olympics, becoming a world champion is my next goal. My jab, counterpunching ability, and stamina are more suited to the pro game.
“When I fought with headgear, I was hurting guys but not knocking them out. You’ll see more knockouts from me as a pro.”
Said Bob Arum, Top Rank’s chairman: “Cincinnati has produced countless great fighters, and we believe Duke Ragan will be the next world champion from the ‘Queen City.’”
Ragan suffered two losses in the U.S. Olympic Trials in December but still had a path to the Tokyo Games. However, with the postponement of the Olympics until next year and his 3-year-old daughter in mind, he decided to turn pro.
“It’s finally my time to shine,” he said. “I’m proud to be from Cincinnati, and I know bringing home a world championship will put me up there with the top dogs from my city.”
Top Rank has announced that it has signed heavyweight prospect Efe Ajagba to a long-term promotional agreement.
Heavyweight prospect Efe Ajagba has a new team.
Top Rank announced on Wednesday that it has signed the undefeated 26-year-old to a long-term promotional agreement. Ajagba (13-0, 11 KOs) also has enlisted the services of manager James Prince and head trainer Kay Koroma.
Ajagba had been with Premier Boxing Champions and was trained by Ronnie Shields.
“I made this decision to become a better boxer and to advance my career,” Ajagba said in a press release. “That’s why I signed with James Prince and Top Rank.”
The 6-foot-6, 240-plus-pound Ajagba is expected to make his debut under the Top Rank banner sometime this year.
“When I return to the ring soon, you will see a new Efe Ajagba,” he said. “Kay Koroma and I are working on my head movement and defense, as I seek to become a more well-rounded fighter.”
Top Rank chairman Bob Arum is already impressed.
“Efe Ajagba is one of the most gifted young heavyweights I’ve seen in quite some time,” Arum said. “He has immense physical tools and a great work ethic. I have the utmost confidence that we’re looking at a future heavyweight champion.”
Ajagba is ranked in the Top 15 by two of the major governing organizations. It should be interesting to see if he can put himself in the conversation led by Top Rank fighter Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder as the best heavyweights in the world.
There’s no doubting Ajagba’s power, as six of his 11 knockouts have come in the first round. He also famously holds the record for the fastest win in boxing history. Curtis Harper walked out of the ring one second after the bell tolled for their August 2018 bout, leading to an instant disqualification.
Ajagba delivered a ninth-round TKO of Razvan Cojanu his last time out this past March.
Jarrett Hurd, who lost his 154-pound titles to Julian Williams in May, is scheduled to face Francisco Santana in his first fight back.
Jarrett Hurd learned against Julian Williams in his last fight that he has room to grow as a boxer. His gym work since then confirmed it.
Hurd, who lost a wide decision and his 154-pound titles to Williams in May, is scheduled to face Francisco Santana in his first fight back on the Danny Garcia-Ivan Redkach card Jan. 25 at Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn on Showtime.
Hurd had been scheduled to fight Williams in an immediate rematch but pulled out.
“This is my first time doing interviews since I fought Julian Williams,” Hurd said. “Last time I was up here I was an undefeated fighter and then I suffered my first loss. We had the rematch set up for this December, but with me going through a switch in trainers and still in the process of searching, I wasn’t in condition for it.
“It was the hardest thing possible to not take the rematch, much harder than taking it.”
Jarrett Hurd is determined to regain these belts, which he lost to Julian Williams in May. AP Photo / Patrick Semansky
Hurd (23-1, 16 KOs) decided to train for Santa (25-7-1, 12 KOs) in a secluded location, eliminating all distractions.
“I’ve been training in Colorado with Kay Koroma and getting away from everything,” he said. “We’re focused strictly on boxing. I cut the hair off, too, because I was just ready for a change. The work so far is showing me how much work I have left to do and how much room I have to grow.
“I will stay at 154-pounds and fight for my titles again. I’m not looking past Francisco Santana because he’s a great fighter. I’m working hard to get back to the old me.”
He continued: “This is the fighter who was put in front of me. He has the style that we were looking for with my having my first fight with my new trainer. I had some time out of a gym after the Williams fight but now we’re going strong toward January 25.”
Hurd had built the reputation of a physically imposing, particularly strong fighter who overwhelmed opponents with his might.
The loss to Williams, an excellent, resilient boxer, laid bare Hurd’s vulnerabilities. For once, he wasn’t able bully his opponent and didn’t have a Plan B. That allowed Williams to win convincingly.
“I would never say I overlooked Julian Williams,” Hurd said. “There’s no excuses. Julian was the better man that night. When I look back there were probably some things that could have affected me, but Julian deserved to win the fight.
“I don’t know if I’m a better fighter now, but the loss opened my eyes to some things. My new coach has really opened my eyes to some things that I need to work on. Using my jab more and my footwork specifically.”
Perhaps we’ll see the beginning of a new Hurd next month.
