Written By Terrell Groggins
“Photography by Award Winning Photojournalist Terrell Groggins ”
After a 19 month layoff O'Quinn (14-0-1, 8 KO) returns to the ring as a bantamweight to fight a scrappy Saul Sanchez(16-1, 9 KO) in a ten round bout. The next edition of ShoBox: The New Generation this friday September 24th with a Salita Promotions triple feature from the great state of Oklahoma.
O'Quinn, a Detroit naite last fought in Jan. 2020 pre covid pandemic, where he point dominated Oscar Vasquez. I wasn't there to document in person due to family issues, but it was a solid win for Rico.
Interviewing Ja'Rico during training camp he stated that he does not know too much about Sanchez but he does know his head coach, Rico pointed out that he's been beating Jo Jo Diaz's fighters since the amateurs.
This is a pivotal fight for Ja'Rico stepping into the bantamweight class. It's the biggest fight of his career, and now on the biggest stage. Sanchez feels the same way, as a fighter whose been activly fighting over the course of the last two years.
If there is any added pressure on Jarico O’Quinn before this main event bout, he's not showing it. In the ring during training camp I witness Rico being very sharp, this was a couple weeks ago while filming he said " No one will outwork me" His eyes and focus said everything to back up what he was saying verbally. Rico has looked like a veteran since early in his career.
There's the talk about beating all of Sanchez coaches fighters in the amateurs but O'Quinn is not by any means taking Saul for granted. He knows what type of fighter he is, he's ready for the pressure. The sparring that I witness shows me that he's prepared.
O’Quinn is hoping to excel and breakthrough in 2021. There's big things coming for this Detroit naitive, more televised dates and bigger situations on bigger stages. First task is digging deep, and taking care of business this friday September 24th.
“I shot a mini documentary titled “ Humble Beginnings” that focuses on O’Quinn during training camp, he talks about his work ethic, upbringing, and his focus as to why he became a boxer. View below ”
If you're not familiar with Ja'Rico you can check out his last fight vs Oscar here