Jaimes vs Abdullah – February 14: A Test of Skill, Heart, and Determination

Boxing has always been a sport where the underdog has a chance to defy expectations. That’s what makes it so exciting—you never really know what’s going to happen once the bell rings. And Jaimes vs Abdullah is the perfect example of that dynamic, as Manuel Jaimes walks into his next fight with the belief that he can shock the world.

On February 14, Jaimes will step into the ring against one of boxing’s brightest young stars, Abdullah Mason, on the undercard of the Denys Berinchyk vs. Keyshawn Davis event. For Mason, it’s another step in what many expect to be a future championship run. For Jaimes, it’s a shot at proving that he belongs among the best in the lightweight division—and that he’s more than just another name on Mason’s record.

Familiar Territory: Fighting the Favorite

Jaimes isn’t new to this underdog role. He’s been in tough fights before, going back to his amateur days when he fought Otha Jones III, one of the top young fighters of that time. That 2016 fight in Reno, Nevada, was a tough, competitive battle. Jaimes didn’t get the win, but he earned the respect of the fans—many of whom thought he had done enough to get his hand raised.

Now, nearly a decade later, Jaimes finds himself in a similar spot: facing a highly skilled, fast-handed fighter that the boxing world expects to win. But that doesn’t shake his confidence one bit.

“I’ve been in the ring with high-level fighters before,” Jaimes said in an interview. “Mason has that speed, that quickness. He’s talented, no doubt. But I know what I bring to the table, too.”

At 24 years old, Jaimes comes into this fight with a 16-2-1 record (11 KOs). His last fight was the biggest of his career—a tough loss to former junior welterweight champion Rolando Romero on the undercard of the Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga pay-per-view in September. That fight took place at 140 pounds (junior welterweight), which wasn’t Jaimes’ ideal weight class. Now that he’s back at lightweight (135 pounds)—where he’s had most of his success—he believes he’ll be sharper, stronger, and more comfortable.

A Real Training Camp, A Real Shot

One of the biggest advantages Jaimes has this time? A full training camp.

For a lot of fighters, short-notice fights can be a real problem. It means less time to prepare, less time to adjust game plans, and often, stepping into the ring without being in peak shape. But for this fight, Jaimes got the time he needed to train properly, and he took full advantage of it.

“I’m feeling great because I actually had a full camp,” Jaimes said. “No easing into it, no short notice. Just straight to work.”

Jaimes has been grinding in Stockton, California, training with Steve Salas at his home gym while also spending time at Robert Garcia’s gym in Riverside. For those who follow boxing, Garcia’s gym is known for producing elite fighters, and Jaimes believes working in that environment has helped him elevate his game.

“Training there, you’re surrounded by killers,” he said. “Everyone in that gym is trying to get better, trying to push each other. That kind of environment forces you to level up.”

The Fight That Almost Happened Sooner

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Jaimes was in talks to fight Mason. A while back, there was an offer for them to fight—but at that time, it was just going to be a six-rounder.

“I was just thinking about that the other day,” Jaimes said. “We got offered this fight before, but it wasn’t the right time. Now? Now it’s a bigger fight, and I’m glad we’re doing it on this kind of stage.”

And he’s right. Mason has built a reputation as one of the sport’s most dangerous young fighters. At just 20 years old, the Cleveland native has already racked up a 16-0 record with 14 knockouts, showcasing an exciting mix of power, speed, and composure. Many see him as a future champion, and this fight is just another step toward that goal.

But Jaimes sees something different—he sees an opportunity.

Exposing a Weakness?

For all of Mason’s dominance, he showed some vulnerabilities in his last fight against Yohan Vazquez in November. Mason got knocked down twice in the first round before recovering and ultimately stopping Vazquez to continue his knockout streak.

For Jaimes, seeing that fight only boosted his confidence.

“I already thought I could beat him,” Jaimes said. “But after seeing that fight? After seeing him go down twice? That just confirmed it for me. He’s human. He’s got flaws. And I’m going to test them.”

Of course, Mason’s ability to get up and win the fight also speaks volumes about his toughness. Many fighters would have crumbled under that kind of early adversity. Instead, Mason found a way to come back stronger.

But Jaimes isn’t looking for moral victories—he’s looking for THE victory.

Source: Again the underdog, Manuel Jaimes aims to upset Abdullah Mason

“I Know People See Me as the Underdog”

Jaimes knows how the boxing world views this fight. The narrative is clear: Mason is the young star, and Jaimes is the guy standing in his way. But that’s exactly the kind of challenge that fuels him.

“I know people see me as the underdog, and that’s fine,” he said. “I’ve been in this position before. It doesn’t bother me. At the end of the day, it’s just two fighters in the ring. He’s going to have to prove he’s better than me.”

The question is, can Jaimes do what no one else has done? Can he hand Mason his first loss?

A Career-Changing Moment

This fight is more than just another step in Jaimes’ career—it’s the step that could take him to the next level. Beating Mason would instantly change his status in the lightweight division. It would put him in the conversation for bigger fights, bigger paydays, and potentially, a title shot down the line.

On the other hand, a loss—especially a decisive one—would likely send him back to the drawing board.

That’s what makes this such a high-stakes fight.

Mason is expected to win. The oddsmakers, the analysts, the fans—they all expect him to walk away with another victory. But Jaimes doesn’t care about expectations. He only cares about winning.

“When the bell rings, all the talk goes out the window,” Jaimes said. “It’s just me and him in there. And I’m coming to win.”

With fight night just around the corner, the boxing world is waiting to see if the underdog can once again defy the odds.

Will Mason prove he’s the real deal? Or will Jaimes pull off one of the biggest upsets of the year?

We’ll find out on February 14.

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