By Norm Frauenheim
SAN DIEGO — Jesus Ramos’ bid to take the interim out of his middleweight title is suddenly on hold because of suspected food poisoning that forced him off a PBC card Saturday at Pechanga Arena.
Ramos got sick Thursday night, was hospitalized and released early Friday. His fight against unbeaten Kazak Meiirim Nursultanov was canceled before a ceremonial weigh-in at high noon on Friday.
According to the PBC and DAZN promotional team, the fight will be rescheduled. However, there were no details about when and where.,
Ramos, a fighter from Casa Grande in central Arizona, did extensive interviews during a news conference Thursday. He talked about an opportunity to win the World Boxing Council’s version of the 160-pound title held by Carlos Adames. Earlier in the week, the WBC ordered Adames to fight the Ramos-Nursultanov winner. Ramos was a solid favorite.
However there has been persistent speculation that Adames would move up in weight to super middle. Had he done that and Ramos fulfilled expectations with a victory, the WBC was expected to strip Adames of the belt and give it to Ramos, who was recently honored in Casa Grande with a key to the city. His fans were expected to make the trip to San Diego.
Without Ramos, the card was left with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz at junior welter in another fight for an interim title against Nestor Bravo. Both made weight, Bravo at 139.2 pounds and the popular Cruz at 139.0 Both engaged in a noisy face-off after stepping off the scale.
“I hope he’s coming tomorrow with the same kind of energy,” said Cruz, a Mexico City fighter.
