Jalil Hackett will have a chance to avenge his lone career defeat.
Plans are in place for the Washington D.C.-bred welterweight to run it back with Puerto Rico’s Jose Roman. The rematch is eyed for March 15 on the Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams-Patrice Volny DAZN undercard at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.
Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn, Hackett’s promoter, revealed the match in conversation with Omari Jones, a 2024 Olympic Bronze medalist whose pro debut will serve as the March 15 co-feature.
“Hackett’s rematching that guy on your card, the one he lost to in Puerto Rico,” Hearn told Jones. “He’s rematching him on your card.”
Roman (14-1, 6 KOs) pulled off one of the biggest upsets of 2024 with a split decision win over the highly touted Hackett (9-0, 7 KOs at the time) last Dec. 7 at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Judge Carlos Colon scored the bout 96-94 in favor of Hackett but was overruled by judges Gerardo Martinez and Luis Ruiz, both of whom had 96-94 for Roman.
The fight took place on the ‘Before The Bell’ portion of the undercard in support of Richardson Hitchins’ IBF 140-pound title-winning decision over Australia’s Liam Paro.
Hackett signed with Matchroom Boxing last summer. He won a ten-round decision over Peter Dobson last July 13 on the Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis-David Avanesyan undercard at Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The 21-year-old welterweight looked physically weaker headed into his bout with Roman, attributed to a tough weight cut.
Roman earned by far the biggest win of his eight-plus year career. It extended a three-fight win streak since an eight-round points loss to Cesar Francis in their Oct. 2021 battle of unbeaten prospects in Brooklyn, New York.
Jake Donovan is part of the U.S. team for The Ring. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.