Omari Jones Headlines Friday’s ‘Rising Stars’ Card in Orlando

Omari Jones takes center stage Friday evening ahead of his homecoming headline bout against Northern California veteran Alan Sanchez at the Caribe Royale in Orlando.

Jones (7-0, 4 KOs) was the only Olympic bronze medalist for Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games. He is also often confused with another Bay Area boxer, Amari Jones, whose name is nearly identical to his own. Both are very good fighters who compete in different weight classes and have different styles.

Jones, a welterweight, is on pace to win Prospect of the Year honors, for those who care about that sort of thing. This will be his fourth fight in 2026, with two against unbeaten opponents and the other two against veterans. A good contrast for a fast-rising contender.

Let’s look at what is at play for this fight and card:

2026 Isn’t The Year of Power

Jones stopped his first four opponents. That is great. This year, he has gone to a decision each time, with some questioning his power. That seems a little naive, as Jones is a patient tactician who shows composure for a young fighter. That said, Jones is 23, and young people hear the rumblings. Jones has looked every bit a top prospect to my eyes, but when people question his power, your identity as a fighter can sometimes change.

Watching this fight, a key thing to look for is Jones fighting similar to how he has had success while improving on it, rather than just standing in front of his foe to prove a point.

Sanchez Is Better Than You Think

Yes, Sanchez is an older fighter and hasn’t fought since facing Nicklaus Flaz. Still, in 2022, he defeated unbeaten Saul Bustos, who is not the same caliber as Jones but is a good fighter. Sanchez holds a win over Pablo Cesar Cano, a tough puncher from the previous era. At this point, all the physical advantages are against Sanchez, but he is a tough dude who isn’t going to rely on toughness alone. He has craft and the ability to box. So, Sanchez should force Jones to earn it on fight night.

Where Is The Ronny Alvarez hype?

Alvarez was being touted as one of the best Cuban prospects. My guy, Carlos Linares, sang his praises. Now, we are almost done with 2026, and he will be in his third fight of the year. His momentum has all but slowed. The super middleweight slugger enters on a three-fight knockout streak, but concerns are now being raised about whether he is undersized for the weight class. If anyone needs to go viral for the right reasons, it is Alvarez, who is slipping into obscurity this year as boxing focuses only on the top of the card.

Donte Layne, New York’s Next Guy? 

Layne has the attitude and bravado that New York City loves, and you guessed it, he is a New Yorker. With a record of 8-0 (7 KOs), Layne developed nicely on OTX Boxing cards early in his career and now just needs a helpful push to the main card. His talent shone in the amateurs, but this fight will mark his first bout of the year. Though I don’t expect this fight to last long, Layne’s career could be impactful and long-lasting.

Is Jordan Orozco Foreal? 

With a 17-0 record (17 KOs) in the bantamweight division, I am initially intrigued. Then you look at the record. Only one undefeated fighter and a couple of solid veterans. He faces Yusniel Abrahante, promoted by Bobby Harrison’s BiYu Promotions, in what feels like an old ShoBox-type fight. Orozco has a good record, but cynics want to see more at a higher level, and Abrahante might be the opposite of Orozco, a little better than his record suggests.

The one thing to note: Abrahante has only one knockout on his record, and against a power-puncher who has stopped everyone, that might be a troubling sign. More than likely, Orozco will show him no respect.

Lucas Ketelle

Lucas Ketelle is a boxing writer and podcaster who has appeared on various platforms throughout his career.

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