Boxing
'Have you seen the best yet?' - Jack Rafferty eyes career-high turn against Ekow Essuman
Wardley vs. Dubois: Only on DAZN PPV - Saturday
Jack Rafferty raises an eyebrow when it is put to him that his imminent bout might steal some headline thunder in Manchester.
"I mean, listen," he says, and cracks a grin. "What a fight to be in. It's not like I'm breaking myself in slowly at 147 pounds, is it?"
The former British super-lightweight champion has a point. Few would want Ekow Essuman for their debut at welterweight too.
But then, Rafferty does not see himself like other fighters. The ex-Lonsdale Belt champion's relaxed confidence belies his graft.
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It will be put to the test this weekend when the pair meet beneath Fabio Wardley's heavyweight defence against Daniel Dubois.
For the 'Demolition Man', decorated at domestic level but seeking the next step up, it is more than a Manchester homecoming.
At the Co-op Live, he intends to lay down a gauntlet, even as he offers plenty of respect for a season opponent inside the ring.
"He's the engine," he says of his opponent. "I believe I've got what he's got but better, though he's going to say that about himself.
He pauses. "Have you seen the best Jack Rafferty yet? I don't believe so. What I do believe is that will be on Saturday night."
'We're only human at the end of the day!'
Rafferty has been able to enjoy a lengthy camp, with over two months of preparation for the next chapter in a stoired career thus far.
It comes after one of his longest absences from the ring, albeit after a busy 2025 where he fought twice in the space of eight weeks.
"We're only human at the end of the day," he says when asked about the lengthy gap. Then he grins. "And I got married in September."
Has the time away done him good? He nods. "I needed to give my body a rest. We're not robots. I'v got a couple of niggles healed up.
"I've had plenty of time to get fit, do the camp and the sessions . At a high level, you've got to be ready for the phone call all year round."
That said, Rafferty has not been far away from the gym at any given moment, given how critical he admits it remains to his mental health.
"I find it crazy sometimes," he confesses. "I'll fight on a Saturday, and then when I wake up on a Sunday, I wonder what I do now.
"There's more issues not doing it. You've got to have a couple of days off, but being in the gym, being in the sessions, that keeps me well.
"There's a fine line between doing enough and doing too much. You've got to listen to your body, and do what you need to do when."
'An oppprtunity that couldn't be refused!'
Rafferty was one of Britain's most dangerous operators at super-lightweight. A move to welterweight has felt on the cards for some time.
But the timing is fascinating, particularly as a crowded scene of both domestic and international contenders jockey for place on the board.
The star admits he has an eye on his long-term future, even if he acknowledges victory offers obvious springboard benefits to success.
"I think it was the right time to move up, for myself and my longevity in the sport," he muses. "It was an opportunity that couldn't be refused.
Leigh Dawney / Queensberry
"What a fight to be in though. After this, you want to push for a world title shot. This is a fight that pushes the winner towards better things."
Essuman arrives on the back of a late loss to Jack Catterall, but Rafferty still believes his foe has "been on a good run" even before then.
Nevertheless, the stakes both above and below them carry significant reprecussions for their hopes of a future featuring major belts.
Rafferty is aware of what could transpire though if he comes out on top. "To be honest, if I win this fight, doors will open, and push me up."
He glances to one side, then nods. "I want to push onto bigger and better things. I think that path, that story will unfold once I win this fight."
Watch Wardley vs. Dubois only on DAZN
The WBO world heavyweight title is on the line for Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois on May 9, only on DAZN PPV. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Usyk vs Verhoeven (May 23), with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
