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Jalil Hackett will face Jose Roman in a rematch for the WBA Continental North America Welterweight title on Saturday March 15 at Caribe Royale in Orlando, live worldwide on DAZN, as further additions to the undercard are made where Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams headlines against Patrice Volny, Edgar Berlanga returns to action and Team USA Olympic medalist Omari Jones makes his professional debut.
Roman and Hackett met in Puerto Rico in December, where Roman edged Hackett our via a razor-thin split decision to take the title. Roman (14-1 6 KOs) hosted Hackett (9-1 7 KOs) at home in their first meeting and now the Puerto Rican steps through the ropes in America for the fifth time in his career for the rematch, as 21 year old starlet Hackett looks to gain immediate revenge and claim his title back.
“Camp has been amazing for this fight and I’m more ready than ever,” said Roman. “They made a big mistake thinking I was an ‘average fighter’. I was a multi National Champion that represented Puerto Rico all over the world, and I was only one fight away from being an Olympian in 2016! The first time was not a stroke of luck and on March 15, I will prove I am the better fighter. I look forward to bigger and better opportunities with God’s blessings when I beat him again.”
“On March 15, I not only regain my belt but I reestablish myself as one of the best young boxers in the sport,” said Hackett.
Another title fight added to the card sees Jamaine Ortiz defend his WBA Continental USA Super-Lightweight title against Yomar Alamo. Ortiz (18-2-1 9 KOs) landed the strap at Caribe Royale in November with an impressive fourth round stoppage win over Cristian Mino, his first fight back in action after taking on Teofimo Lopez for the WBO World title in Las Vegas in February. Puerto Rico’s Alamo (22-3-1 13 KOs) continues to test fighters at 140lbs, and will add Ortiz to the CV that features recent battles with IBF king Richardson Hitchins, and the man he beat to win the title, Liam Paro.
“I’m thrilled to be kicking off my 2025 fight journey against Yomar Alamo, who is a dangerous fighter,” said Ortiz. “It’s always an honor to step into the ring, and I couldn’t be more excited to showcase my skills for my fans on DAZN.
“The Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando will be lit on fight night, and I’m ready to bring the heat. This year, I’m focused and hungry for success, and March 15 is just the beginning of what’s to come!”
“This is a great opportunity for my career,” said Alamo. “Ortiz is a great fighter. We’re prepared for whatever he brings. This will be a great victory for me. It’s Magic time!”
Further additions to the card announced today sees Puerto Rican teen talent Carlos De Leon (3-0 2 KOs) fight in the paid ranks for the fourth time over four rounds at Super-Featherweight, and ‘Pretty Boy’ Pedro Valdez (8-0 7 KOs) meet Mauro Maximiliano Godoy (37-10-1 18 KOs) over eight rounds at Welterweight.
Those undercard additions add to a big night in the Sunshine State, where Middleweight contender ‘Ammo’ Williams looks to continue his quest to get back into the mix for major battles. Williams (17-1 12 KOs) bounced back with a 12th KO win in the paid ranks in Philadelphia in November after a brave showing against hotly-tipped Briton Hamzah Sheeraz in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in June.
‘Ammo’ is handily ranked at #6 with the WBC, #7 with the WBA and #9 with the IBF, and the Texan southpaw will be looking for an impressive victory to take a big step towards securing more massive fights at 160lbs.
Volny (19-1 13 KOs) will have other ideas though, and the Canadian will be full of confidence as he enters the bout on the back of a KO win over fellow countryman and former World title challenger Steven Butler in June in his Montreal hometown.
Jones added a bronze medal from the Paris 2024 games to the silver medal he won at the 2021 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, and after a glittering amateur career, the Orlando starlet, who graduated from Valencia College in Orlando with an Associate Degree in General Studies with business focus in December, is excited to be making his pro debut right on his own doorstep, and Italian Alessio Mastronunzio (14-5 4 KOs) will be the first man to test Jones in the pro ring.
Berlanga (22-1 17 KOs) is back and the Puerto Rican-New Yorker will be looking to build on his spirited display against pound-for-pound legend Canelo Alvarez as he takes on Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz (20-0-1 16 KOs). ‘The Chosen One’ went the distance with the Mexican superstar in Las Vegas in September and the 27 year old will be eager to move into position to get a second shot at World title honors, and can reclaim the WBO NABO Super-Middleweight title he previously held over ten rounds against his fellow Puerto Rican.
