Boxing
Why Rafferty vs. Essuman could explode into a fight night classic
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Jack Rafferty could have taken a tune-up fight for his welterweight debut.
Instead, he’s testing himself immediately by clashing with veteran Ekow Essuman tonight at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England, and live on DAZN PPV. The bout will serve as the co-main event to the Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois headliner for Wardley’s WBO heavyweight world title.
The undefeated Rafferty (26-0-1, 17 KOs) enters this welterweight tilt coming off a hard-fought majority draw in a super lightweight tilt with Mark Chamberlain in August. Meanwhile, Essuman (22-2, 8 KOs) last suffered an 11th-round TKO loss to Jack Catterall in November.
Will Rafferty position himself toward bigger fights at welterweight with a statement win over Essuman? Or will Essuman rely on his ring savvy to turn back that projection with emphasis? I have analyzed the Keys to Victory for both fighters in a bout that could be as action-packed as the main event.
Big fight claims
Watch: Wardley and Dubois tell each other what they plan to do to the other
Jack Rafferty’s Keys to Victory
Apply steady pressure behind the jab
Jack Rafferty does a shrewd job of using subtle movements and feints to apply steady pressure behind the jab. If he is able to find an early home with the stick against Ekow Essuman, Rafferty will be dictating the terms of this fight — a good space to be when starting in a new division.
Establish body attack
Watch Rafferty work and he does an excellent job varying his punch palette to the body. Sometimes it’s a simple stab jab.
Other times, Rafferty is loading up with lefts and rights to the midsection or launching uppercuts to the liver up to the sternum. Regardless of how the shot selection is deployed, Rafferty’s body work is pounding and should be used to debilitate Essuman.
Queensberry
Whip hook around the guard
As long as Rafferty has his pressure behind the jab and body attack firing, he ought to whip a hook around Essuman’s guard.
If Rafferty can keep the shot compact, the ‘Demolition Man’ might have just the wrecking tool to end Essuman’s night early and roar ahead at 147 pounds.
Ekow Essuman’s Keys to Victory
Make early deposits to the body
Ekow Essuman effectively bangs the body too. Doing this against Jack Rafferty might reap a two-pronged paydirt for the British welterweight.
Early deposits to the body could empower Essuman to land something more significant upstairs. A proven body attack early can also go long ways to negating some of Rafferty’s pressure and forward fighting as the bout goes on.
Pick spots for flurries
Go back and watch Rafferty vs. Mark Chamberlain and the latter was able to dig back into the fight by and large with timed flurries.
As Rafferty stalks ahead, Essuman must pick spots for bursts that stand up to his fellow Brit’s pressure.
Essuman regularly does this anyway, so it is already part of his ring repertoire.
Mark Scates/SNS Group via Getty Images
Time Rafferty in traffic
In addition to Essuman picking select sequences to pounce, the 37-year-old veteran would be aided by timing Rafferty in traffic and unloading a sharp right counterpunch.
Essuman particularly throws his right cross with some stellar slashing action, making it a must to use in the pocket as a counter to a pressing Rafferty.
Watch Wardley vs. Dubois only on DAZN
The WBO world heavyweight title is on the line for Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois tonight, May 9, only on DAZN PPV. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with the Usyk vs Verhoeven (May 23), Fury vs. Hall (June 13), and Zayas vs. Ennis (June 27) PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
