HAINAN, China (Jan. 22, 2020) — Undefeated Brazilian middleweight contender Esquiva “La Pantera” Falcao will look to turn back Chinese contender Ainiwaer Yilixiati in a 10-round middleweight fight Saturday, Feb. 1 at Mission Hills Haikou in Haikou, Hainan, China. Falcao-Yilixiati will serve as the co-feature to the highly anticipated bout between WBC/WBO junior welterweight world champion Jose Ramirez and former world champion Viktor “The Iceman” Postol (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

The undercard will stream on ESPN+ beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

“We’ve promoted Falcao since the beginning of his career, and this is his opportunity to showcase his tremendous ability in front of a large audience on ESPN,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.

“2020 is the year I challenge for a world title, but my journey continues in China against a very tough opponent,” Falcao said. “This is a chance to show I can compete with all the middleweights, and at 30 years of age, I am in the prime of my career. My amateur career took me all over the world, and I can’t wait to travel to Haikou to put on a show for the Chinese people, my fans back home in Brazil and everyone watching on ESPN.”

Falcao (25-0, 17 KOs), a 2012 Olympic silver medalist, turned pro following a stellar 215-15 amateur run that also included a bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships and a gold medal in 2012 at the prestigious Cheo Aponte Tournament. He turned pro under the Top Rank banner in 2014 and is now ranked in the top 15 by three of the four major sanctioning organizations. A southpaw boxer-puncher, Falcao went 3-0 in 2019 with knockout wins over Manny Woods and Jesus Antonio Gutierrez, in addition to a decision win in Brazil against Jorge Daniel Miranda. Yilixiati (17-1, 12 KOs) has won seven in a row, including a pair of victories since moving down to the middleweight ranks.

In live action on the ESPN+ undercard stream:

• Unbeaten Chinese prospect Yongqiang Yang (13-0, 10 KOs) will face Filipino veteran Jhon “The Disaster” Gemino (21-12-1, 11 KOs) in a 12-rounder for the WBO International 130-pound belt. In July 2018, Yang knocked out the big-punching Harmonito Dela Torre in two rounds on the Manny Pacquiao-Lucas Matthysse undercard, and he most recently stopped JR Magboo in two rounds to win the WBO Global lightweight title.
   
• Rising Chinese lightweight Jianhao Diao (2-0, 2 KOs) will take on Eduardo “The Nightmare” Mancito (18-10-2, 9 KOs) in a six-rounder.
   
• Korean super middleweight prospect Sung Jae Jo (11-0, 8 KOs) will fight Zulipikaer Maimaitiali (12-2-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-rounder for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific title.

For more information, visit www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Use the hashtags #RamirezPostol and #FalcaoYilixiati to join the conversation on social media.

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(Dec. 14, 2019) — Unified junior welterweight world champion Jose Ramirez, the undefeated pride of California’s Central Valley, today announced he has signed a new multi-year deal with Top Rank. Ramirez turned pro with Top Rank after representing the United States at the 2012 London Olympics.
 
This new deal is among boxing’s most lucrative long-term promotional pacts and keeps Ramirez in the fold for Top Rank on ESPN main events for years to come.
 
“I turned pro with Top Rank, and this is where I want to be,” Ramirez said. “Thank you to Bob Arum, Todd duBoef, the entire Top Rank team and my manager, Rick Mirigian, for believing in me. While I am a unified 140-pound world champion, there is so much for me still to accomplish. I want to become undisputed champion in 2020, and I am confident that my dream will become a reality.”
 
“Top Rank developed Jose as a professional, and we are thrilled to continue our working relationship with them for the foreseeable future,” Mirigian said. “Matchmakers Brad Goodman and Bruce Trampler gave Jose the experience he needed from a young age, and when it came time to fight for a world title, he was ready. What this contract represents is Jose’s standing atop the 140-pound division and as one of the world’s truly elite fighters.”
 
“I don’t know if I have ever come across a young man who is as well-rounded as Jose Ramirez,” Arum said. “He is a hero in the Central Valley of California, a champion who uses his platform to lift up everyone around him. He’s a great fighter, but he’s an even better human being. Jose is Fresno’s professional sports franchise, and he will conquer the rest of the globe, beginning in China Feb. 1 against Viktor Postol live on ESPN. He is only beginning to scratch the surface as a fighter, and the impact he will have as a humanitarian will be felt for years to come.
 
“A special thank you to Rick Mirigian, who worked tirelessly closing this deal and developing Jose into one of the sport’s great attractions.”
 
Ramirez (25-0, 17 KOs), from Avenal, Calif., has made three defenses of the WBC world title he won in March 2018. He cemented his status as one of the world’s elite pugilists in July when he knocked out Maurice Hooker to unify the WBC and WBO titles. He will defend against WBC mandatory and former world champion Postol Feb. 1 (Feb. 2 local time in China) and hopes to unify all major world title belts by fighting, and defeating, IBF/WBA junior welterweight world champion Josh Taylor.
 
For all Ramirez has accomplished in the ring, he’s remained committed to numerous social causes impacting his home region. He’s fought for water rights for area farmers, spoken out on behalf of immigrants in his community and in 2015 established a scholarship fund at Fresno State University to help graduates of Avenal High School pursue their dreams of higher education. The theme of his February 2019 title defense against Jose Zepeda at Fresno’s Save Mart Center was “KO Cancer,” and a portion of proceeds benefitted the Community Cancer Institute in Clovis, Calif. Ramirez also auctioned off his fight-worn outfit to benefit the cause. And, in September, a life-size statue of Ramirez was unveiled at the Fresno County Historical Museum to honor his charitable contributions to the Central Valley.

HAIKOU, China (Nov. 21, 2019) — WBC/WBO junior welterweight world champion Jose Ramirez, the pride of California’s Central Valley, will cross an ocean to defend his belts. Ramirez will face former WBC world champion Viktor “The Iceman” Postol Saturday, Feb. 1 at Mission Hills Haikou in Haikou, Hainan, China.

Ramirez unified world titles in July with a sixth-round knockout over Maurice Hooker in a Fight of the Year contender. Ramirez-Postol will be the first Top Rank on ESPN event to be contested on Chinese soil.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with SECA and TGB Promotions, Ramirez-Postol and a co-feature will be televised live by ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m ET/7 p.m. PT (Sunday, Feb. 2 local time), with undercard action slated for ESPN+ beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.  

“Boxing is a global sport, and it is with great pleasure that we bring one of the sport’s great champions, Jose Ramirez, to the beautiful Mission Hills Haikou,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Jose is coming off a career-best victory, but he can’t afford to overlook Postol, who is a tremendous former world champion.”

“I am excited to defend my belts against Viktor Postol to kick off my 2020 schedule,” Ramirez said. “I am a world champion, so it is my honor to defend my titles in front of the great fans in China. It is going to be a great experience, and I am glad that my fans back home will be able to watch me live on ESPN. As a unified champion, I am hungrier than ever.”

“I would like to thank the WBC, WBO, Tom Brown and TGB Promotions, Top Rank and everyone involved for making this fight happen,” Postol said. “It’s a big opportunity for me and a big honor to share the ring with one of the best fighters in my division. I know Ramirez, as we sparred together in the past. I’m looking forward to a great fight in China.”

Ramirez (25-0, 17 KOs), from Avenal, Calif., is one of two unified junior welterweight champions. He won the WBC world title in March 2018, prevailing via 12-round shootout against Amir Imam in New York City. He defended that belt twice at the Save Mart Center in Fresno before stepping up to fight Hooker. His return was slightly delayed, as recovered from surgery on his left hand to repair an ongoing injury. A 2012 U.S. Olympian, Ramirez fought in China in 2015 at Cotai Arena in Macau, improving to 15-0 with a third-round stoppage over Ryusei Yoshida.

Postol (31-2, 12 KOs) has spent the majority of his 12-year career as a super lightweight and nearly a decade at, or near, the top of the division. He stunned the boxing world in October 2015 when he dethroned Lucas Matthysse via 10th-round KO to win the WBC world title. In his next fight, he was blunted over 12 rounds by Terence Crawford in a unification bout. He is 3-1 since the Crawford defeat, dropping a 2018 decision to Josh Taylor, who is now the division’s other unified champion. He earned the WBC’s mandatory shot at Ramirez in April with a unanimous decision over Mohamed Mimoune.

For more information, visit www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

 Use the hashtag #RamirezPostol to join the conversation on social media.

WBC Junior Welterweight champion Jose Ramirez and Viktor Postol have agreed to fight after an agreement was made between the two camps, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

Open communication between all parties, especially [WBC president] Mauricio [Sulaiman] and the WBC, was the key to making the deal,” Top Rank’s Carl Moretti told ESPN. “Dealing with Tom was easy. We understood each other’s needs. Hopefully, it will lead to making more fights down the road. We both know a thing or two about a thing or two.”

“Postol will not be an easy mandatory for Jose, especially being trained by Freddie [Roach] and his team,” Moretti said. “But we believe Jose is getting better, bigger and stronger with each outing, and is the best in the 140-pound division.”

FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2019) — WBC/WBO super lightweight world champion Jose Ramirez wanted to do something to benefit the family of Maxim “Mad Max” Dadashev, who passed away July 23 due to injuries sustained in the ring.

After he defeated Maurice Hooker in a super lightweight unification bout July 27 in Arlington, Texas, Ramirez and his adviser, Rick Mirigian, offered his fight-worn gloves, shoes and trunks to the highest bidder. The board of The Big Fresno Fair, the largest annual event in California’s Central Valley, stepped up with a $10,000 bid.

One hundred percent of the proceeds were sent to the Dadashev family, and the items are currently on display alongside a life-size statue of Ramirez at the Fresno County Historical Museum.

“I’m honored and humbled to have been able to help out Maxim’s family,” Ramirez said. “Every fighter puts their life on the line in the ring. My prayers to his family.”

“These items are incredibly important to our museum, especially with the recent addition of the life-size statue honoring Jose,” said John C. Alkire, CEO, The Big Fresno Fair. “When we knew this was going to support a family during a time of loss, we were all in.”

“Maxim fought in Fresno once as a pro, and Jose and I just wanted to do something to show our support for his family,” Mirigian said.

“From the bottom of our hearts, and on behalf of Maxim’s family and our entire team, we would like to thank Jose, his team and The Big Fresno Fair for their generosity,” said Egis Klimas, Dadashev’s manager.

Unified Jr. Welterweight champion Jose Ramirez will not fight again this year due to an injured hand, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I can’t use [my hand] until 6-8 weeks post surgery,” Ramirez wrote. “I could be back in the ring in December, however due to no dates available that month we will be back in the ring early 2020. I just need my hand to heal and I’ll give anybody a run for their money.”

By Bart Barry-

Saturday in a junior welterweight title-unification
match broadcast by the aficionado’s network, DAZN, California’s Jose Ramirez stopped
Texan Maurice Hooker midway through a wonderfully compelling fight that ended with
extraordinary abruptness.  Eighteen-and-a-half
minutes in, the men looked equally formidable. 
Eighteen seconds later, Hooker lay collapsed on the whiteropes, a blueshirt
his only protection from Ramirez’s ferocity.

Both men distinguished themselves by daring to
ratify their once-vacant titles. 
Promoters and their matchmakers are too good to be believed, and so the
winner of a vacant title is not credible till he’s fought a fellow titlist.  We now know Ramirez is the real thing.  And we know Hooker is the real thing, too,
though slightly less of that thing than Ramirez.

If neither man was allowed comfort before the
other, a minutely tally’d’ve found Ramirez acting as discomfitter, not
Hooker.  There was the promise of Hooker’s
substantial rightcross to keep Ramirez sober at every charge, a source of
instant anxiety for Ramirez to be sure, but it was a tool Ramirez solved and
dulled in the fight’s opening quarter.  Ramirez
did this with timing and footwork, somethings he doubtlessly learned before joining
trainer Robert Garcia’s stable.

If you have an amateur pedigree – which means
you’ve involuntarily boxed through your youth against every style and ethnicity
– before you pilgrim to Oxnard, Garcia takes your skillful foundation, puts it
in smaller gloves and commands you attack. 
If you haven’t a skillful foundation, Garcia nevertheless puts you in
smaller gloves and commands you attack. 
As we saw in his younger brother’s spring whitewashing contra Errol
Spence, Coach Robert carries no plans B to ringside in his spitbucket; any exam
question whose answer is not “more aggression” gets left blank for later – a generation
later.

Fortunately for Fresno aficionados Jose Ramirez,
an Olympian, brought skills galore to Oxnard when he arrived a year ago.  That meant Garcia’s plan A, more aggression,
was exactly matched to Saturday’s moment. 
It wasn’t necessarily that an Olympian like Ramirez couldn’t stay
outside and win a boxing match with Hooker, that was about a 40/60 proposition,
it was that there was no reason to try it. 
Hooker’s every advantage disintegrated once Ramirez was within his arms’
length of Hooker.  And Ramirez’s
advantages multiplied proportionate to every inch nearer after that.  Hooker knew this, Ramirez knew this.

Hooker outsmarted himself, though, figuring in round
5 he might do a little sabbatical on the ropes and let Ramirez get tired of
punching.  That was the lapse that cost
Hooker his title.  What happened in a
couple seconds in round 6, Hooker’s straightback headpulling that set his chin
on a tee for Ramirez’s left fist and the legs’ jellying and Ramirez’s swift
adaptation and Hooker’s utter defenselessness, all that, came of Hooker’s vanished
judgement the round before.

There are ways to discourage and fatigue volume
punchers like Ramirez, but none of them permits him to put knuckles on
you.  Knuckling you puts that breed of
man in his most comfortable place.  He’s
no longer burning calories at fractionally the rate you think he is, especially
if you’re a rangy puncher accustomed to throwing on your preferred timetable.

Ali rope-a-doped Foreman, remember, not Frazier.  You rope-a-dope a slugger, and he
autodiscourages by failing to harm you the way experience told him he
would.  You rope-a-dope a boxer, and he
retreats to the opposite ropes, and y’all feint at one another till the ref
starts deducting points.  But you
rope-a-dope a volume puncher, and you leave in an ambulance.

Too soon?

Let’s have a treatment of our beloved sport’s
deadly past week, then.  We are expected
to examine our collective conscience at times like these, I know, perform
public acts of expiation, and especially if we write for daily periodicals
whose pacifistic editors tsk-tsk our ways.

Good news, there.  In 2019 none of us writes for daily periodicals.

That means much of last week’s atonement was
habitual more than sincere.  We know this
because it all reduced to a massive shrug from the moral lowground, or else
niggling about pet safety issues – like tiptoeing a matchstick bridge across a
firepit licking.

Here’s an easier calculus for you, the aficionado:
Do you watch fights hoping to see a brainbleed or death?

No, you don’t. 
Then that’s that.  You’re not
obligated to justify yourself further. 
Those who would ban our sport are unserious; if they coulda, they
woulda.  Those who wish to make
prizefighting safer verily miss the point – our sport survives by dint of its
peril; safe prizefighting is oxymoronic. 

Some primal, though enduring (and thus still not vestigial),
human trait requires public acts of violence. 
In this sense the ban-boxing brigade recalls a Chris Rock joke about
needing bullies, because a couple decades of banning bullying in our schools meant
that when an actual bully showed up in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, no
one knew what to do.

Jose Ramirez would know what to do, and for that
matter so would Maurice Hooker, and if watching them punch one another doesn’t
quite tell us what to do it at least reminds us occasions for punching one
another still exist, however many millennia since our ancestors emigrated from their
caves.  There is real violence within
most of us, and it thrills the spirit. 
That isn’t a solution for prizefighters’ deaths and damages or even a
prescription for a solution.  It is an
amoral report of where and what we are – an act of acceptance, not contrition.

*

Editor’s note: This column will be on summer vacation
next week.

*

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Maurice Hooker has credited his tight-knit team for getting him to the edge of greatness as he prepares to face Jose Ramirez in a World Super-Lightweight unification battle on Saturday night at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FROM WWW.UTATICKETS.COM FROM $25
Hooker (26-0-3 17 KOs) penned a deal with Matchroom Boxing USA and DAZN alongside his long time promoters Roc Nation Sports last July as he entered a new phase of his career as WBO ruler having travelled to Manchester to take the title from Terry Flanagan in June 2018. The 29 year old saw off the challenges of Alex Saucedo and Mikkel LesPierre on the road before landing the unification clash with Ramirez (24-0 16 KOs) on home turf.

The Dallas ace attributes his path to the point of unification to the men that have guided his career from the start in trainer Vince Parra and his assistant manager Arnie Verbeek and promoter Dino Duva, and hopes to repay their faith and support with a big night of celebration after Saturday’s pick-em clash.

“I just like to smile and be happy in boxing and my life,” said Hooker. “I don’t like big crowds even outside of boxing, I just hang with a few people. I don’t like too much attention and you get people arguing around you and you have to worry about everybody. I keep close to the people I trust because I know that they have got my back. All you need is a few great people and you will be ok.

“Vince and I grew up with each other, learned the sport together and did everything as a partnership, the trust is there with us and I know that whatever he tells me to do in the gym or in the corner between rounds is the right advice to get the win.

“We’ve done it all from day one, gone on the road and stayed in dirty hotels to get great sparring with Terence Crawford, Miguel Cotto and more, but now we’re in the best hotels as World champion! We’ve done it all and been through a lot. It’s good to have someone in your corner that you trust as much as I do with Vince.

“There’s a lot of fighters in and around San Diego, we’re down the street from Mexico so we can get fighters in with that Mexican style. We drive to LA, Big Bear and Las Vegas and get great work as we’re right in the middle of that.”

Hooker and Ramirez clash on a bumper night of action in Arlington, as Tevin Farmer defends his IBF World Super-Featherweight title against mandatory challenger Guillaume Frenois. Tramaine Williams takes on Yenifel Vicente for the vacant USBA Super-Bantamweight title and a trio of unbeaten talents look to continue their 100 per cent KO records in Nikita Ababiy, Artur Biyarslanov and Houston’s Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams.

Heavyweight Joey Dawejko meets Rodney Hernandez over ten rounds and there’s action for three Dallas fighters in Stephen Acosta, Javier Martinez and debutant Darius Bagley.

Tickets for the bumper night of World championship action are on sale now from $25 from www.utatickets.com

Jose Ramirez believes all the pressure is on hometown favorite Maurice Hooker as they clash for the WBO and WBC World Super-Lightweight titles at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas on Saturday night, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FROM WWW.UTATICKETS.COM FROM $25
WBC ruler Ramirez (24-0 16 KOs) has his own fortress in Fresno, California, where he’s successfully defended his title twice in the last ten months since landing the vacant belt against Amir Imam in New York last March.

The 26 year old will enter the lion’s den for the biggest fight of his career, but he believes that all eyes will be on WBO champion Hooker (26-0-3 17 KOs) who fights for the first time in his hometown as a World champion – meaning the visitor can concentrate on unifying the division in this mouth-watering 50-50 bout.

“Maurice wanted the fight in his hometown so it was up to me to accept those terms and I did,” said Ramirez. “When two fighters really want a fight and the promoter gives you the green light, there’s nothing to stop the big fights from being made. It just takes a little encouragement from your team. It’s a great fight for everyone involved.

“To be a great fighter you have to learn to adapt in any ring. The venue is important but it’s really down to us to perform in the ring – rings are all the same size and that is where we’re at home, no matter what city it is, that’s our territory.

“I know there are a lot of Hispanics in Texas that I am sure will be showing up to support me and I know we’re going to give the fans a great fight, like I did when I travelled to New York and won the title, I went on the road and did my job.

“Sometimes the fights on the road are easier because I don’t have the same responsibilities when I am fighting in Fresno as I am co-promoting the fights with Top Rank and I have to do a lot of appearances, but now I am the guest so I am here to do my job.”

Hooker and Ramirez clash on a bumper night of action in Arlington, as Tevin Farmer defends his IBF World Super-Featherweight title against mandatory challenger Guillaume Frenois. Tramaine Williams takes on Yenifel Vicente for the vacant USBA Super-Bantamweight title and two unbeaten talents look to continue their 100 per cent KO records in Artur Biyarslanov and Houston’s Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams.

Tickets for the bumper night of World championship action are on sale now from $25 from www.utatickets.com

Everything is bigger in Texas – and that’s just what Maurice Hooker plans to be as he prepares for his Super-Lightweight unification clash with Jose Ramirez on Saturday night at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FROM WWW.UTATICKETS.COM FROM $25
Hooker (26-0-3 17 KOs) puts his WBO title on the line for the third time as he fights at home for the first time as a World ruler. The 29 year old last laced them up in the Lone Star state back in August 2017, where he claimed the WBO NABO title in downtown Dallas.

Hooker hit the road ten months later to rip the WBO World title from Terry Flanagan in the Manchester man’s home arena, and in November ‘Mighty Mo’ pulled off a stunning win in Oklahoma, climbing off the canvas in the second round to put unbeaten local favorite Alex Saucedo away in the seventh.

Hooker’s second defense took him to upstate New York where Brooklyn’s Mikkel Les Pierre was seen off in a comfortable points win – setting up the chance to come home in style and take home court advantage in the biggest fight of his career against WBC king Ramirez (24-0 16 KOs).

“I will be a champion in boxing and in Dallas as everyone will know my name after this fight. This fight means everything to me and the same for him, I just have to go harder than him and I will come out on top. This is part of my legacy – it’s just the beginning.

“This is the fight that makes me a big name. I am getting better with every fight and now I have the platform in the fight on DAZN to show my boxing skills, my power, my smarts, everything – everyone will know who Maurice Hooker is after this.

“I so excited to have this fight in Dallas, I’m ready to come with everything I have. The crazy thing about it is that I don’t feel any pressure coming into the fight, it’s just another big fight, all my fights over the last three have been really big, so I don’t feel any pressure from fighting at home. I’m just ready to do what i do and handle my business.

“I won my WBO NABO belt in Dallas but this fight is on a whole new level, I have the chance to unify at home. The first World title fight was in England and the others have been on the road too, but now I have the biggest fight of my life at home, so there’s a little pressure but not too much and I just have to focus on doing my job and getting the victory.

“It’s been crazy at home since the fight was announced. Everybody has been telling me that they are coming and telling me to put on a show. I’m confident I’ll get the win as is Jose, I’ve been watching him and it’s going to be tough in the opening rounds, but I will take over and make him adjust to me. Dallas seeing me fight as a World champion is so big for me and for the city, all the kids I’ve spoken to in the schools, the people that look up to me, can now watch me live.”

Hooker and Ramirez clash on a bumper night of action in Arlington, as Tevin Farmer defends his IBF World Super-Featherweight title against mandatory challenger Guillaume Frenois. Tramaine Williams takes on Yenifel Vicente for the vacant USBA Super-Bantamweight title and two unbeaten talents look to continue their 100 per cent KO records in Artur Biyarslanov and Houston’s Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams.

Tickets for the bumper night of World championship action are on sale now from $25 from www.utatickets.com

Maurice Hooker says the pressure of fighting at home in a career defining fight will bring the best out of him when he meets WBC World Super-Lightweight ruler Jose Ramirez in unification clash on Saturday July 27 at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

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Hooker (26-0-3 17 KOs) fights in his Dallas backyard for the first time as a World champion following three fights in enemy territory. Hooker puts his title on the line for the third time after ripping the WBO crown from Terry Flanagan in Manchester, England last June and travelled to Oklahoma City to get off the canvas and stop Alex Saucedo inside seven thrilling rounds in November. ‘Mighty Mo’ met Brooklyn’s Mikkel LesPierre in Verona, New York in March, flooring the unbeaten challenger in the ninth round of a dominant points win.

Ramirez (24-0 16 KOs) also puts his crown on the line for the third time having landed the vacant title at Madison Square Garden in New York in March 2018 against Amir Imam. The 26 year old’s first two defenses were on home soil in Fresno, putting Antonio Orozco on the deck twice in a points win in September and then a tight contest with Jose Zepeda in February where he held onto his title via majority decision.

“This fight will define my career,” said Hooker. “I will either be the star at 140lbs or I’ll have to start over again and try to build my name back up. I’m pumped up for this fight. I can fight at home and hopefully win some new fans at home as they can see me fight in person. The fight could have happened in New York or Las Vegas, it doesn’t matter, but I’m pumped for the first time that people can see me fight at home as a World champion.

“People have been hitting me up for tickets and getting excited about it, but I’m focused, I’m back in San Diego and working hard in camp. Everyone is going to be there and that’s more motivation for me. There’s pressure on me to win this fight for the fans as they have always given me great support, so I have to win it for them.”

A stacked undercard in support of the main event will see more World title action added to the card which already features the hotly anticipated debut of Murat Gassiev, who moves up from Cruiserweight and meets Philadelphia’s Joey Dawejko.

Houston-based rising talent Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (2-0 2 KOs) is in action for the third time in the paid ranks, and the impressive 23 year old can make it three straight first round KOs in his home state.

Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale NOW from www.utatickets.com

Tickets for the blockbuster unification clash between WBO World Super-Lightweight champion Maurice Hooker and WBC ruler Jose Ramirez on Saturday July 27 at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, go on pre-sale TODAY at 10am (CDT).

Hooker (26-0-3 17 KOs) fights in his Dallas backyard for the first time as a World champion following three fights in enemy territory. Hooker puts his title on the line for the third time after ripping the crown from Terry Flanagan in Manchester, England last June and travelled to Oklahoma City to get off the canvas and stop Alex Saucedo inside seven thrilling rounds in November. ‘Mighty Mo’ met Brooklyn’s Mikkel LesPierre in Verona, New York in March, flooring the unbeaten challenger in the ninth round of a dominant points win.

Ramirez (24-0 16 KOs) also puts his crown on the line for the third time having landed the vacant title at Madison Square Garden in New York in March 2018 against Amir Imam. The 26 year old’s first two defenses were on home soil in Fresno, putting Antonio Orozco on the deck twice in a points win in September and then a tight contest with Jose Zepeda in February where he held onto his title via majority decision.

A stacked undercard in support of the main event will see more World title action added to the card which already features the hotly anticipated debut of Murat Gassiev, who moves up from Cruiserweight and meets Philadelphia’s Joey Dawejko.

Houston-based rising talent Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (2-0 2 KOs) is in action for the third time in the paid ranks, and the impressive 23 year old can make it three straight first round KOs in his home state.

Tickets start at just $25 and the pre-sale starts at 10am (CDT) from www.utatickets.com

There are five pre-sale ticket codes for the event: MMH, JCR, AMMO, MBUSA and UTA

Tickets then go on general sale at 10am (CDT) on Friday June 14 from www.utatickets.com

ENDS

Maurice Hooker and Jose Ramirez came face-to-face for the first time today at the first press conference for their World Super-Lightweight unification blockbuster on Saturday July 27 at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

WBO champ Hooker (26-0-3 17 KOs) and WBC ruler Ramirez (24-0 16 KOs) will headline a huge night of action in Texas, with more World title action to be added along with top Heavyweight fights, and tickets go on pre-sale next Wednesday and general sale next Friday.

PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Maurice Hooker, WBO World Super-Lightweight champion: I want to thank Eddie Hearn, RocNation, Matchroom Boxing USA, DAZN, Jose Ramirez, his team and Top Rank for getting this show done. July 27 is going to be a hell of a fight, you are going to see the best of me, the best of Jose Ramirez, may the best man win.

“I’m training hard and pushing myself, I’m doing this for my family, so let’s do this man – I want to show everyone what I am all about, it’s going to be a hell of a fight and I am not leaving without that WBC belt. Did you bring it? OK, you’ll bring my belt on July 27! It’s a great fight so let’s do it man.”

Jose Ramirez, WBC World Super-Lightweight champion: “I want to thank Bob Arum, Rick Mirigian, Robert Garcia and all the Top Rank family for the opportunity to come to his territory and a different network with Eddie Hearn and DAZN to showcase my skills in my first unification match. Ever since I came out of the London 2012 Olympics my goal was to become a World champion, and after I became a World champion my goal was to become the undisputed champion and I think Maurice Hooker is a big step to make that possible.

“He’s a great champion, I’m very honored to be here and fighting in a different venue in Arlington Texas, I know that there are a lot of fans here that love and support boxing and this is the type of fight that every champion should step up and give to the fans that deserve to see it. I feel Boxing is more alive now than ever and I’m happy I’m here as a World champion and I am going to do everything I can to stay a World champion.

“I am fighting for my family and the right causes, to do something bigger than just box. When I box my goal is to motivate people to fight for themselves, to push themselves and be better, and this is the type of fight that is going to make me better and take my career to a whole different level. It’s a blessing for me to have this fight, I’m thankful to Mo’s team for accepting the fight and stepping up to the plate, I think it’s something that was just us fighters want to prove ourselves, that’s how our promoters were able to work together to provide us with a life-changing opportunity. You will see the best of me on July 27.”

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing USA: This is a huge fight for the 140lbs division, it’s an absolute A-star match up, one both teams wanted for a long time, and after a crazy night on DAZN last Saturday at Madison Square Garden, I believe we have a fight of the year contender here in Arlington on July 27.

“I want to thank Top Rank and their fighter Jose Ramirez. The problem these days in boxing is that there is too much politics with different promoters and different networks, but when two fighters want to fight, generally you have a great chance to make it happen. So, I want to thank Bob Arum and all the Top Rank team for making this incredible fight a reality on DAZN.

“We wouldn’t be working with Mo without the help and support of RocNation Sports and Dino Duva. When we came to America, we were looking to partner up with several people that we trusted and believed in, and the relationship with Matchroom Boxing USA, Mo and RocNation Sports has been fantastic so far. We got off to a slow start really when we lost a purse bid to fight Alex Saucedo. We went to Oklahoma to fight him and it was one of the great, great nights as Mo stopped him to defend his title. He defended it again in Turning Stone but now this really is the defining night of Mo’s career.

“When we went to Oklahoma, I walked into the dressing room and it was just the guys you see on stage. I thought, ‘Oh, it’s not a very big team!’ It was our first fight with Mo and that night showed me that sometimes you don’t need a massive team, you need the right team. The right backing from genuine people that have your best interests at heart. The team lives and breathes Maurice Hooker.

“Behind every great fighter is a great trainer and it’s not just a great match-up in the ring but also out of it, with two great trainers in Vince and Robert Garcia. Robert has long been one of the top trainers in the sport and he knows how difficult this fight is, and he will be putting together a gameplan for his charge. Vince Parra has been so influential in the career development of Mo and it’s a massive night for him too.

“Seeing these guys today and looking in their eyes, this is a fight they wanted and one they are excited by. Mo has a spring in his step, he’s got this monster fight in his hometown. His opponent Jose Ramirez is a hugely popular fighter, I’ve been to some of his shows in Fresno, I want to thank his manager Rick Mirigian who has done a great job in building him locally there. He’s popular, entertaining, technically a great fighter, a puncher and he has plenty of heart. I wanted to bring a fight to Dallas for Mo. I didn’t expect to bring one of this size but what an opportunity for him to become a unified World champion in his backyard.

“This is a real fighter’s fight, one of the fights of 2019 so far. There will be other World title fights on the card and some big Heavyweight fights to be announced. It will be a stacked night of boxing, that’s what we do and that’s what DAZN do.”

Vince Parra, Maurice Hooker’s trainer: “I want to thank Eddie Hearn, DAZN, Matchroom Boxing USA, Top Rank and Jose’s team, but more than anything I want to thank Mo. When I got him, he was a young prospect, I told a reporter he was like a bolt of lightning and I just knew that if we harnessed it and put it in the right way that he could do something special.

“Last year in England he did that, we’ve always taken the hard road, we’ve been the underdog, hitting the road and going all over the US together, living out of hotels and sparring the best fighters we could. He’s always trusted me, and I thank him for that because he’s exceeded even my expectations. I want to compliment JR and his great team, but more than anything these two fighters stepped up. They didn’t hide behind anything, they want to decide who is the best 140lb fighter in the division and they are doing their part, so I applaud them both for that.

“This is a great opportunity for me to match wits with a great trainer like Robert Garcia, and for Mo to match skills with Jose Ramirez. On July 27 there will be a new unified WBO and WBC champion, and it will be Maurice Hooker in his hometown of Dallas.”

Robert Garcia, trainer of Jose Ramirez: “We’re really happy to be here and glad that this fight was able to happen. These are the fights that need to happen and people are missing out on so many fights because of the problems that promoters and TV networks have, but we were able to make this happen and I’m glad because it’s one of the best fights of the year, I can guarantee that. Jose is very motivated and ready to do this, and I am sure Maurice is preparing well too. It’s a hell of a fight and one the fans will remember for many years.”

Dino Duva, RocNation Sports: “I am so happy to see Mo getting this huge fight at home. After he beat Alex Saucedo, he boxed Mikkel LesPierre, two fights in a row on the opponent’s home turf. Eddie and I talked and said we wanted to bring Mo back home, so I want to thank Eddie and DAZN for that.

“Maurice deserves it, he hasn’t fought here for a long time and he certainly deserves it as champion. You couldn’t ask for a better match-up for Mo’s homecoming. Jose Ramirez is a great champion, it’s a unification with a Mexican-American star – you can’t ask for a better fight for this area. Dallas has become a real hotbed for great fights, there’s been huge events here over the last couple of years and this is going to be right up there with the best of them. I really believe this fight could be one of the best that we’ve seen in a long time, the match-up, the style, the background, everything about it leads to a special and historic event.

“To echo what Eddie said, I want to thank Jose, Top Rank, my old friend Robert Garcia, for doing what had to be done to make this fight, for Mo to have his homecoming in as good a match as you could as for. Matchroom Boxing USA and DAZN have done a terrific job with us for Maurice and with boxing in general. If you look at the line-up DAZN has had, you can’t beat it, and now, with this beautiful venue in Arlington, it’s going to be a special night that you don’t want to miss on July 27, I hope that the local fans support the night.”

ENDS

Maurice Hooker and Jose Ramirez will clash in a World Super-Lightweight unification clash on Saturday July 27 at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

WBO champion Hooker (26-0-3 17 KOs) fights in his home state for the first time as a World champion having won the title in stunning fashion in Oklahoma in November, getting off the canvas to KO Alex Saucedo in his backyard, the widely outpointing Mikkel LesPierre in his first defense in Verona, New York in March.

WBC ruler Ramirez (24-0 16 KOs) puts his belt on the line for the third time having landed the vacant strap in March 2018 against Amir Imam in New York. The 2012 Olympian handed a first defeat to Antonio Orozco in his first defense at home in September at the Save Mart Arena in Fresno, California, and then edged a majority decision against Jose Zepeda in February in the same venue.

“First of all I want to thank my promoters Matchroom Boxing and Roc Nation for getting me this opportunity,” said Hooker. “I’m proud to display my skills on DAZN – the best boxing platform out there. I’d also like to thank my team who are with me every step of the way. I want to show the world that I’m the best in the 140 lb. division. My dream is to become the undisputed champion in my weight class. This unification fight with Jose Ramirez is a major step towards that goal.

“Training camp for Team Mighty Mo Hooker is well underway and I’ll be at my absolute best on July 27 to take the green belt from Ramirez. It will be a thrill to do this in front of my home crowd and I’m looking forward to the energy they’ll bring to the ring. I am a dream killer, and Ramirez will be my next victim coming July 27.”

“I am ready for my opportunity to unify the titles,” said Ramirez. “To get the opportunity to be a unified champion is a blessing for me. I’m thankful to Bob Arum and Top Rank for believing in me to go out there and get the job done. I’m going to push myself hard to make the team proud.”

“This is a fight I wanted. I told my manager, Rick Mirigian, that I wanted to fight Maurice Hooker. I know this fight can take my career to the next level. I want to continue making statements at 140 pounds. I want to make it easier for people to decide who the best 140-pounder truly is.

“I’m treating this fight the same as when I won the title in New York City against Amir Imam. He was the taller fighter, the bigger fighter. It’s sometimes easier fighting someone in his backyard because it takes away some of my responsibilities behind the scenes. As the underdog, I have everything to win. It’s not just about defending my title but unifying the division as well. I’m ready to prove myself and show everyone what Jose Ramirez is all about. I can’t wait to bring Hooker’s title back with me to California.”

“I’m delighted to announce this excellent unification match-up between two great champions in Maurice Hooker and Jose Ramirez,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “These are the fights that boxing needs and the styles will gel into a real fight of the year contender. Both champions believe they have the edge in this fight, tune in July 27 on DAZN to find out comes out on top.”

“This looks like a terrific battle, and I’m predicting that our guy, Jose Ramirez, will emerge as the unified champion,” said Top Rank’s Bob Arum.

“This is a big fight for Maurice and our team,” said Roc Nation’s Dino Duva. We have been looking forward to it since he became a champion – a title unification match in his hometown, doesn’t get any better for a fighter and his team. Mighty Mo will seize this opportunity to win over the hearts of the great Mexican boxing fans. A victory over a fantastic champion like Jose Ramirez will catapult Mighty Mo into superstar pound for pound status! Big thank you and congrats to DAZN and Matchroom Boxing for stepping up and putting this unification match together. Additional thanks to Top Rank, Ramirez promoter for making it work. This is what great boxing is about.”

“We’re thrilled to deliver another title unification bout to DAZN subscribers this year,” said Joseph Markowski, DAZN EVP, North America. “Credit to all parties working together with the fan’s best interest in mind. Hooker vs. Ramirez is the right fight happening at the right time.”

“This was not easy to get done and had many moving parts,” said Ramirez’s manager Rick Mirigian. “It’s the first of its kind in this new era of boxing and I pushed for this since February, I want to thank Top Rank and Eddie Hearn for working through a complex network landscape to make this huge fight happen for the sport.”

An announcement on ticket sales will be made a press conference in Arlington on Friday.

ENDS

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, a 140-pound unification fight between Jose Ramirez and Maurice Hooker is being negotiated.

“We’re in negotiations on that fight with Top Rank and we’ve also been talking to our co-promoter, Roc Nation,” Hooker co-promoter Eddie Hearn said. “It’s a fight both sides want, a fight I think the fans want. It’s a brilliant fight for the division. It would be on DAZN but there’s still a long way to go to getting anything done but the conversations are positive.”

“They want a big fight and they also want to unify titles, just like our side does,” Hearn said, adding that if the fight is made it would take place either in California, where Ramirez is from, or Texas, where Hooker is from.

“I’ve had discussions about the fight with Sir Edward,” Top Rank’s Carl Moretti said. “Hopefully, somehow this fight can be put together. We look forward to further discussions and negotiations.”

Follow all the action as Jose Ramirez defends the WBC Super Lightweight Title against Jose Zepeda.  The action kicks off at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT with a lightweight fight between Ray Beltran and Hiroki Okada.

THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY..NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED

Round 1: Good left from Zepeda..

Round 2 Straight left from Zepeda..Jab to body

Round 3 Right from Ramirez..Counter left from Zepeda..Right to body from Ramirez

Round 4 Left from Ramirez..Blood from Ramirez right eye (Ruled a punch)

Round 5 Left to body from Ramirez..

Round 6 Left from Zepeda

Round 7 Right from Ramirez

Round 8 Combination from Zepeda..Blood under left eye of Zepeda…Ramirez lands a left to the body..Good right..2 lefts to the body..a big right and left from Zepeda

Round 9 Good right from Ramirez…Counter.2 rights to the body..Hard left to the body

Round 10 Right from Ramirez…Body shot from Zepeda

Round 11 Left from Zepeda..Body shot..left..Right hook lead..

Round 12 Straight left from Zepeda..Combination from Ramirez

114-114; 115-113; 116-112 JOSE RAMIREZ

Round 1 Jab from Okada…Jab from Beltran..Body shot from Okada..2 punch combinaton..Right from Beltran

Round 2 Right HAND AND DOWN GOES OKADA…Hard left buckles Beltran….Okada landing a flurry on the ropes

Round 3 Left from Beltran..jab..Good combination from Okada..left hook from Beltran…combination..Good right.left hook tot the body..3 punch combination..Okada is cut over the left eye

Round 4 2 punch combination from Beltran….Hard combination on the ropes..Beltran cut around left eye…

Round 5 Good right from Okada..

Round 6 Left hook from Beltran..Right from Okada.

Round 7  Blood from around right eye of Beltran..Beltran lands a left hook

Round 8 Beltran lands a combination..left and right from Okada

Round 9 Double jab and right from Okada…BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES OKADA..BIG FLURRY,,OKADA WOBBLING AROUND THE RING AND DOWN HE GOES AGAIN…FIGHT OVER AT 2:09

Jose Ramirez defended the WBC Super Lightweight title with a 12-round majority decision over Jose Zepeda in front of over 14,000 fans at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

It was a tactical fight that saw Zepeda box and get off to a good a start.  There were several head clashes for which caused cuts on each fighter.  Ramirez was cut around his right eye in round four.

Ramirez started to come on in the middle rounds as he featured some solid body work.

Zepeda righted himself, and he himself was cut under his left eye in round eight, but he was able to keep the fight close on the score cards.  The fight may have been won in the last 15 seconds, as Ramirez landed a nice flurry to take the final stanza.

Ramirez of Avenel, CA won by scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 114-114 to raise his mark to 24-0.  Zepeda falls to 30-2.

“He was a very a tough and smart southpaw. He came well prepared,” Ramirez said. “He kept a good range and distance. That made it a tough, close fight, but I think I pulled it off in the championship rounds. I landed the most effective punches.”

Said Zepeda: “Jose Ramirez is a great fighter, and his fans really pushed him and gave him momentum.”

Former lightweight world champion Ray Beltran stopped previously undefeated Hiroki Okada in the 9th round of their scheduled 10-round super lightweight bout.

In round two, Beltran was dropped by a hard right that was preceded by a left.  In round three, Okada was cut over his left eye.  Beltran was cut over his left eye in the fourth round.

In round seven, Beltran began to bleed around his right eye.  In round nine, Beltran dropped Okada with a perfect right to the chin.  Okada was hurt, and Beltran went right after Okada and wobbled him before landing a hard right that sent Okada down, and the bout was stopped at 2:08.

Beltran of Phoenix, AZ is 36-8-1 with 22 knockouts.  Okada of Tokyo is 19-1.

The action was fierce from the opening bell, with the two combatants waging a second round for the ages. Beltran knocked Okada (19-1, 13 KOs) down with a crisp left hook, only for Okada to stun Beltran later in the round.

“I knocked him down in the second round, but he came back and got me good, too,” Beltran said. “We knew his plan was to stay at distance and keep me at bay with the jab. Every time I threw my left hook, he kept covering very well. I saw an opening with the right hand and that’s why I started throwing it, and little by little, I kept shortening the distance until I connected with a big right hand and I stopped him.”

Carlos Castro remained undefeated by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Genesis Servania in a super bantamweight bout.

In round seven, Servania was bleeding from around his right eye.

Castro, 121 lbs of Phoenix, AZ won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 and is now 22-0.  Servania, 121 1/2 lbs of Bacolod City, PHL is 32-2.

Gabriel Flores Jr. remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Alex Rynn Torres in a junior lightweight bout.

Flores, 132.4 lbs of Stockton, CA won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is now 12-0.  Torres, 132.6 lbs of Mexico City is 6-3.

“I’m getting better with each fight. I felt better than ever,” Flores said. “I get more and more experience with each fight. I feel like I’m getting cleaner. I’m getting sharper, and I’m only going to get better. I’m ready for whoever Top Rank puts in front of me. This is what I do all day, every day.”

Andy Vences remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Dardan Zenunaj in a junior lightweight bout.

Vences, 131 lbs of San Jose, CA won by scores of 80-72 and is now 22-0-1. Zenunaj, 131 lbs of Kosovo is 14-6.

“I felt great coming back after that long rest after suffering the injury. It’s been a long time,” Vences said. “I looked sharp, but I knew this was going to be a tough fight. This guy gave a great fight and went the distance against Andrew Cancio, and Cancio just became a world champion last night. I knew that against a guy like that I was going to need to use all my skills, and I did. I dominated the fight.”

Isidro Ochoa stopped Jesus Guzman in round five of their scheduled six-round super bantamweight bout.

Ochoa beat up Guzman until the fight was stopped by the doctor at 1:18.

Ochoa, 121 3/4 lbs of Fresno is 7-0 with three knockouts. Guzman, 122 3/4 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 7-3.

Cristian Coria stopped Joel Diaz Jr. in round three of a scheduled eight-round junior welterweight bout.

In round three, Coria landed a left hook to the jaw that sent Diaz to the deck. Cora dropped Diaz again with a hard left hook, and the bout was stopped at 1:50.

Coria, 140 lbs of Famillia, ARG is 28-7-2 with 13 knockouts. Diaz, 138 1/4 lbs of Palmdale, CA is 24-2.

Guido Vianello stopped Andrew Satterfield in the first-round of the their scheduled six-round heavyweight bout

Vianello dropped Satterfield with vicious five-punch combination to the head. Satterfield got to his feet, only to eat about 11 more flush punches, and the fight was stopped at 1:54.

Vianello, 236 lbs of Rome, ITA is 2-0 with two knockouts. Satterfield, 241 1.2 lbs of Marietta, OH is 4-2.

“I felt more relaxed and composed than my first pro fight,” Vianello said. “I am only going to get better.”

Jose Ramirez 138.6 lbs vs. Jose Zepeda 140 lbs
(Ramirez’s WBC Super Lightweight world title – 12 Rounds)
* Zepeda originally weighed 140.2 pounds and and made weight on his second attempt

Ray Beltran 139 lbs vs. Hiroki Okada 139.6 lbs
(Vacant WBC Continental Americas and WBO Intercontinental titles – 10 Rounds)

ESPN+ (4 p.m. ET)

Genesis Servania 121.6 lbs vs. Carlos Castro 121 lbs
(Vacant WBC Continental Americas Super Bantamweight title -10 Rounds)

Joel Diaz Jr 138.2 lbs vs. Cristian Coria 140 lbs
(Super Lightweight – 8 Rounds)

Andy Vences 131 lbs vs. Dardan Zenunaj 131 lbs
(Super Featherweight – 10/8 Rounds)

Gabriel Flores Jr. 132.4 lbs vs. Alex Torres Rynn 132.6 lbs
(Lightweight – 6 Rounds)

Saul Rodriguez 132.8 lbs vs. Aelio Mesquita 132.2 lbs
(Lightweight – 10/8 Rounds)

Isidro Ochoa 121.8 lbs vs. Jesus Guzman 122.8 lbs
(Featherweight – 6 Rounds)

Guido Vianello 236.4 lbs vs. Andrew Satterfield 241.2 lbs
(Heavyweight – 6 Rounds)

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets to this world championship event priced at $150, $90, $60, $35, and $25 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Save Mart Center box office, Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook:facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Use the hashtags #RamirezZepeda and #KOCancer to join the conversation on social media.

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FRESNO, Calif. (Feb. 8, 2019) – Fresno’s professional franchise, Jose Ramirez, is set for another world title defense homecoming. Ramirez (23-0, 16 KOs) will seek to make the second successful defense of his WBC super lightweight world title against Jose “Chon” Zepeda (30-1, 25 KOs) on Sunday from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. In the co-feature, former lightweight world champion Ray Beltran will tussle with the unbeaten Hiroki Okada in a 140-pound battle.

And, in a special attraction, 18-year-old sensation Gabriel Flores Jr. will look to move to 12-0 against Alex Torres Rynn in a six-round lightweight bout.

Ramirez-Zepeda and Beltran-Okada will headline a special Top Rank on ESPN card beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Flores-Rynn will be part of the ESPN+ undercard stream beginning at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.

Here is what the fighters had to say at the final press conference Friday at Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino.

Jose Ramirez

On his second fight working with trainer Robert Garcia

“I feel like I’m growing as a fighter. The older I get, the more mature I feel, the more experience I get. I feel like every fight I improve my skills and power. I’m very thankful to have a {trainer} like Robert Garcia. I train in a lot of gyms, but no gym has a family-oriented atmosphere like the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy.”

“I feel like I have so many tools in my toolbox, and I’m ready for a guy like Jose Zepeda. He’s a good fighter. He’s a very smart fighter. He doesn’t over-commit. He likes to keep his distance, and I’m ready for that. He’s the type of experienced fighter that’s only going to make me grow.I’m just honored to be a part of this big fight. There are no easy fights as a world champion. Everybody wants to fight you because they have more to win, obviously. For me, it’s another title defense, but in my mind, I train like I’m an underdog. I train like it’s my first world title.”

Jose Zepeda

On his second world title shot

“My first title shot {against Terry Flanagan} was three years ago, and my shoulder gave in and I wasn’t able to continue. I feel like I was ready for that fight. It didn’t work out. After that, I kept working, and I fought probably three months after that. I kept fighting, and three years later, I get the opportunity against Ramirez. I would like to thank Jose Ramirez and his team, especially to fight in this event to KO cancer.”

On training with Freddie Roach, Ramirez’s former trainer

“Freddie is probably the smartest coach out there. He trained Jose, and he told me what everybody knows. He’s a tough fighter, and he has a will to win. We have to box him. He’s a strong guy. Working with Freddie Roach has been great. Like I said, he’s very smart. His advice is great, and we’re ready for this fight.”

“It’s every boxer’s dream {to win a world title.} I get a second opportunity. I’m working hard. Hopefully no accidents happen. That’s all I pray for.”

Ray Beltran

On moving from lightweight to super lightweight

“We’re going to see how we feel. I’m just hoping to get an opportunity at 135 or 140.”

On rebounding from the Jose Pedraza defeat

“My last fight, I didn’t expect to lose. I made some mistakes. That’s in the past. I’m the type of person that can’t give up. I’m going to get up and keep moving forward.”

Hiroki Okada

“I would like to thank Bob Arum, Rick Mirigian, and everyone from Top Rank and ESPN who made this great opportunity possible. It’s an honor to be fighting for such a worthy cause. As far as being shown on ESPN to such an enormous audience, I am the former Japanese champion and the former WBO Asia Pacific champion. I am known as a boxer in Japan, but the American audience doesn’t really know who I am. I had a great learning experience last time in my first fight in America. I love it here. I’m prepared to build on that, and I want to make a good impression and show my skills to the American audience.”

“Everybody in Japan and in the boxing world knows who Ray Beltran is. It’s an honor just to be able to get in the ring with him. I know he’s very tough and very skilled. In order to win, I’ve trained harder than I ever have. This is the chance of my lifetime. I have sparred a lot of good fighters, including Takeshi Inoue, who went neck and neck with Jaime Munguia just recently. ‘m going to put everything into it to win this fight on Sunday.”

Gabriel Flores Jr.

“I’ve been seeing this all over social media. This is going to be my {breakout} year. I feel great. I got a nutritionist now, a great one. I feel like it’s helping me a lot. I’m really focused. We’re getting great sparring with world champions, and we’re making sure that we are ready all the way. The momentum is just going to keep growing and growing.”

ESPN, 7 p.m. ET

Jose Ramirez (champion) vs. Jose Zepeda (challenger), 12 rounds, WBC super lightweight world title

Ray Beltran vs. Hiroki Okada, 10 rounds, vacant WBC Continental Americas and WBO Intercontinental 140-pound titles

ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET

Genesis Servania vs. Carlos Castro, 10 rounds, vacant WBC Continental Americas super bantamweight title

Cristian Coria vs. Joel Diaz, 8 rounds, super lightweight

Andy Vences vs. Dardan Zenunaj, 10/8 rounds, super featherweight

Gabriel Flores Jr. vs. Alex Torres Rynn, 6 rounds, lightweight

Saul Rodriguez vs. Aelio Mesquita, 10/8 rounds, lightweight

Isidro Ochoa vs. Jesus Guzman, 6 rounds, featherweight

Guido Vianello vs. Andrew Satterfield, 6 rounds, heavyweight

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets to this world championship event priced at $150, $90, $60, $35, and $25 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Save Mart Center box office, Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook:facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Use the hashtags #RamirezZepeda and #KOCancer to join the conversation on social media.

FRESNO, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2019) — WBC super lightweight world champion Jose Ramirez has a pair of fights this week.

In the ring, the Avenal, Calif., native will defend his WBC super lightweight world title against Jose “Chon” Zepeda on Sunday at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. Outside the ring, Ramirez will help raise money and awareness for cancer research to assist men, women, and children who are afflicted with the disease.

Ramirez (23-0, 16 KOs) will pay a special visit to the Community Cancer Institute in Clovis, Calif., on Thursday at 12:30 p.m., where he will meet with patients and staff members. He will then auction off his fight-worn purple gloves and assorted fight night attire, with all proceeds benefitting the Community Cancer Institute. A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to the Community Cancer Institute, and Ramirez and his manager, Rick Mirigian, will also donate 1,000 tickets to Community Cancer Institute patients and their families.

“This is not just about boxing. I am proud to dedicate my performance against Zepeda to the fight against cancer and to work with the great people at the Community Cancer Institute,” Ramirez said. “The people in the Central Valley have supported me since my amateur days, and I feel it’s important for me to use my platform in a positive way.

“I lost both of my grandparents to cancer. Rick Mirgian’s mother is battling cancer. It’s a universal thing. So many families know someone who is affected by cancer. When someone has cancer, it hits the whole family. Doing an event dedicated to people suffering from cancer will show them that they are supported and loved.”

Ramirez-Zepeda and the 140-pound showdown between former lightweight world champion Ray Beltran and Hiroki Okada will headline a special Top Rank on ESPN card beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets to this world championship event priced at $150, $90, $60, $35, and $25 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Save Mart Center box office, Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Use the hashtags #RamirezZepeda and #KOCancer to join the conversation on social media.

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 28, 2019) — WBC super lightweight world champion Jose Ramirez is intent on his staking his claim as the world’s best 140-pounder.

Former WBO lightweight world champion Ray Beltran, who lost his title to Jose “Sniper” Pedraza last August, will move up to the super lightweight division for his next challenge.

Ramirez will make the second defense of his title against Jose “Chon” Zepeda, and Beltran will face the unbeaten Hiroki Okada in a 10-round super lightweight bout on Sunday, Feb. 10 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. Ramirez-Zepeda and Beltran-Okada will headline a special ESPN/ESPN Deportes telecast, which begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. Ramirez will auction off his fight-worn trunks, special gloves, shirt, and shoes, with all proceeds benefitting the Community Cancer Institute in Clovis, Calif. A portion of all ticket sales will also be donated to the Community Cancer Institute.

Ramirez defended his title last Sept. 14 in a Fight of the Year contender versus Antonio Orozco, scoring a pair of knockdowns and winning a unanimous decision.

On Monday, Ramirez and Beltran met the media. This is what they had to say.

Jose Ramirez

On his second fight with Robert Garcia

“Our chemistry is great. My confidence is growing with every fight. He is bringing the best out of me. I’m still a young champion, and I am only going to get better. This has been the best camp of my career. Robert is bringing the fighter out of me and working on the things I need to work on.”

On Jose Zepeda

“I’m more concerned with what I bring to the table. Zepeda is a good fighter. He is 30-1 and a solid southpaw boxer. It’s my job to neutralize him and take control of the fight. I’m still a hungry fighter. I train to win. Hopefully, Zepeda helps me grow as a fighter.”

On potential fights, including Regis Prograis

“It’s going to happen. It’s a matter of when it will happen. We both want to fight. When his tournament is over, we can make it a reality. I have my job to do, and I would love to unify with Maurice Hooker. But my focus now is Zepeda. I have to beat him to make those other fights a reality.”

Ray Beltran

On the Pedraza loss and his surgically repaired left hand

“I don’t want to make excuses about the fight. I respect Pedraza. He fought a great fight. It was his night. I’ve used my hand in sparring against welterweights, and it felt great.”

On fighting Okada

“Okada is a dangerous fighter who will come forward and make for an entertaining fight. If the knockout comes, it comes.”

On the status of his green card application

“Hopefully, in the next few months, I’ll get my green card and then become a citizen after that. I love Mexico and visiting my family there, but my life is here now. This country has given me so much.”

FRESNO, Calif (Jan. 16, 2019) —Ray Beltran’s road back to title contention begins Sunday, Feb. 10. The former lightweight world champion will face the unbeaten Hiroki Okada in a 10-round super lightweight fight as the co-feature to the Jose Ramirez-Jose Zepeda super lightweight championship bout at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif.

Ramirez-Zepeda and Beltran-Okada will headline a special Top Rank on ESPN card beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

The entire undercard, including the super bantamweight showdown between Genesis Servania and the undefeated Carlos Castro, will stream live beginning at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+ – the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

“I am excited about 2019, and this camp has been a great way to start my journey to another world title opportunity,” Beltran said. “If it’s at 140, then I will be a two-division world champion, and if it’s at 135, then I will be a two-time lightweight champion. I will leave that to Top Rank and my manager, Steven Feder. I made some changes and am now working with Marvin Somodio, who for many years learned from the great Freddie Roach. Marvin and my longtime strength coach, Bryan McComb, are bringing me back to the skills and basics that got me here. I’m a boxer, I’m a prizefighter, and that’s what my fans will see Feb. 10.”

“To challenge for the world title, I’ve got to beat Beltran,” Okada said. “As a former world champion, I know he’s highly skilled. I know he’s tough, so I’ll be prepared for a good fight. It’s an honor to be able to fight him, and I’m confident that I will win. I’ve watched his fights on video, and I believe in my power coming into this fight.

Beltran (35-8-1, 21 KOs) fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2018 when he captured the WBO lightweight world title with a bruising unanimous decision over Paulus Moses in Reno, Nev. A seasoned pro who made his name as a sparring partner to the stars, Beltran began his career 5-2 and didn’t receive his first world title shot until Sept. 7, 2013. On that evening in Glasgow, Scotland, he was saddled with a highly controversial draw versus hometown favorite and WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns. Beltran lost a wide points decision to pound-for-pound great Terence “Bud” Crawford the following year but rebounded with a six-bout unbeaten streak heading into the Moses bout.

Beltran’s world title reign ended on Aug. 25 of last year, as Jose “Sniper” Pedraza put forth a virtuoso boxing clinic to win the title via unanimous decision. After spending most of his career as a lightweight, Beltran will move up five pounds to face Okada (19-0, 13 KOs), a former Japanese super lightweight champion who is ranked in the top 10 at 140 pounds by all four major sanctioning organizations. Okada fought twice in 2018, most recently notching a well-earned split decision verdict against Cristian “El Zorro” Coria on Sept. 14 in Fresno.

Headlining the ESPN+ stream will be Servania (32-1, 15 KOs), a 27-year-old Filipino who proved his world-class status during his 2017 featherweight world title challenge against Oscar Valdez. Servania and Valdez traded knockdowns in one of the year’s best fights, with Valdez retaining his title by unanimous decision. Servania has won three in a row since the Valdez war, including a third-round knockout over Carlos Carlson on Sept. 28 in Oakland, Calif. Castro (21-0, 9 KOs), a Phoenix native, is an all-action fighter who cut his teeth with nearly 200 bouts in the amateur ranks. In his last bout, Aug. 25 on the Pedraza-Beltran undercard, he got the better of a toe-to-toe battle against Diuhl “Elegante” Olguin to win a unanimous decision.

“I’m really looking forward to my next fight in Fresno because my opponent is a good fighter. He is undefeated,” Servania said. “I want to fight tough opponents. I’m confident about this fight because I’ve been training hard and I know I will give my best.”

“It has been a tough road to get to 21-0, but it also has been a great experience,” Castro said. “This upcoming fight is another important step towards a world title fight. I know exactly who Servania is, and I will be ready for him.”

The ESPN+ stream will also feature:

Gabriel Flores Jr. (11-0, 5 KOs), the 18-year-old phenom from Stockton, Calif., will take on Alex Torres Rynn (6-2, 3 KOs) in a six-round lightweight contest.

Unbeaten super featherweight contender Andy “El Tiburon” Vences (21-0-1, 12 KOs) will continue his march toward a world title shot against Dardan Zenunaj (14-5, 11 KOs) in a bout scheduled for eight or 10 rounds.

Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (1-0, 1 KO), the 6-foot-6 heavyweight puncher who represented Italy at the 2016 Rio Olympics, will face Andrew Satterfield (4-1, 2 KOs) in a scheduled six-rounder. Vianello trains with Hall of Famer Abel Sanchez in Big Bear Lake, Calif.

Saul “Neno” Rodriguez (22-0-1, 16 KOs), in his second fight since returning from a nearly two-year layoff, will take on Aelio Mesquita (17-3, 15 KOs) in a lightweight fight scheduled for eight or 10 rounds.

Fresno native and featherweight prospect Isidro Ochoa (6-0, 2 KOs) will make his fourth Save Mart Center appearance as a pro against Jesus Guzman (6-2, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder.

FRESNO, Calif. (Dec. 21, 2018) – WBC super lightweight world champion Jose Ramirez, the pride of California’s Central Valley, is returning home on a pair of missions.

First, he aims to make the second defense of his world title against Jose “Chon” Zepeda on Sunday, Feb. 10 at his favorite fistic venue, the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. He also hopes, along with the Central Valley community, to continue the fight against cancer.

Ramirez-Zepeda and a soon-to-be announced co-feature will headline a special Top Rank on ESPN card beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Ramirez will auction off his fight-worn trunks, special gloves, shirt, and shoes, with all proceeds benefitting the Community Cancer Institute in Clovis, Calif. A portion of all ticket sales will also be donated to the Community Cancer Institute.

The entire undercard will stream live beginning at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+ – the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets to this world championship event, priced at $150, $90, $60, $35, and $25, go on sale Monday, Dec. 24 at 10 a.m. PST and can be purchased at the Save Mart Center box office, Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.

“Jose Ramirez is a great young champion and an even better person,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “We are proud to be involved with an event that will raise a tremendous amount of exposure for cancer research. Zepeda is a really tough fighter who will give Jose an excellent fight. The fans in the Central Valley have supported Jose since day one, and I expect another fantastic crowd at the Save Mart Center.”

“I feel blessed to defend my title a second time at home against a great opponent and also support an issue that affects everyone and their families,” Ramirez said. “Let’s all band together to ‘KO Cancer’ and remember that every moment counts.”

Said Rick Mirigian, Ramirez’s adviser: “I’m honored to help put together this event for a great cause. We encourage everyone for National Cancer Prevention Month in February to get your health checked out because every moment matters in this fight.”

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity since my first world title shot against Terry Flanagan,” Zepeda said. “I’m going to train very hard, better than ever before. I’m very thankful to my team and Jose Ramirez for giving me this chance. I’m not going to waste it, and that’s why I’m training so hard.”

Ramirez (23-0, 16 KOs), a 2012 U.S. Olympian from Avenal, Calif., is a sporting hero in California’s Central Valley for his commitment to immigration causes, water rights for area farmers, and his involvement with the Community Cancer Institute. Inside the ring, he has established himself as a 140-pound wrecking ball. He won the WBC super lightweight world title on March 17 in New York City, grinding down Amir Imam to win a wide unanimous decision. In his first title defense, Sept. 14 at the Save Mart Center, he dropped the previously unbeaten Antonio Orozco twice in a Fight of the Year contender en route to a unanimous decision victory in front of 11,102 fans.

This marks Ramirez’s fifth headlining appearance at the Save Mart Center, where he has established himself as one of boxing’s biggest ticket-sellers. His four previous Save Mart Center appearances have drawn a total of 51,760 fans through the turnstiles, and another packed house is expected for title defense number two.

Zepeda (30-1, 25 KOs), a hard-hitting southpaw from La Puente, Calif., is on an eight-bout unbeaten streak dating back to July 11, 2015, the evening he fought Terry Flanagan for the WBO lightweight world title in Manchester, England. It was a competitive contest until Zepeda suffered a dislocated shoulder in the second round and was forced to retire on his stool following the round. He earned the shot at Ramirez with a run that included a first-round TKO against former world title challenger Ammeth Diaz and a sixth-round TKO versus Abner Lopez.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Use the hashtags #RamirezZepeda and #KOCancer to join the conversation on social media.

• Jose Ramirez 138.4 lbs vs. Antonio Orozco139.4 lbs
(WBC Super Lightweight title – 12 Rounds)

• Jamel Herring 130 lbs vs. John Vincent Moralde 129.8 lbs
(Vacant USBA Junior Lightweight title – 10 Rounds)

• Gabriel Flores Jr. 132.2 lbs vs. Roger Gutierrez 132 lbs
(Lightweight – 6 Rounds)

ESPN+ (6:30 p.m. ET)

• Bryan Vasquez 138.2 lbs vs. Carlos Cardenas 138.6 bs
(Lightweight – 10/8 Rounds)

• Alexander Besputin 146.8 lbs vs. Alan Sanchez 146.4 lbs
(Vacant USBA Welterweight title- 10 Rounds)

• Hiroki Okada 139.8 lbs vs. Cristian Coria 140 lbs
(Super Lightweight – 10 Rounds)

• Isidro Ochoa 124 lbs vs. Elio De Jesus 124.6 lbs
(Featherweight – 6 Rounds)

• Santos Ortega 122.8 lbs vs. Sebastian Baltazar 122.4 lbs
(Super Bantamweight – 4 Rounds)

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International (DTCI) segment in conjunction with ESPN. ESPN+ offers fans two exclusive, original boxing programs The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays, weekly) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to exclusive Top Rank boxing content, programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports from more than 15 conferences), UFC (beginning in 2019), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby, cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

FRESNO, Calif. (Sept. 12, 2018) – There was mutual respect rather than trash talk at the final press conference on Wednesday for Jose Ramirez’s WBC super lightweight title defense against Antonio Orozco, Friday at the Save Mart Center (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PST) in Fresno, Calif.

More than 14,000 fans are expected to watch Ramirez, from nearby Avenal, defend his world title for the first time against the unbeaten Orozco.

In the co-main event, United States Marine Corps veteran Jamel Herring (17-2, 10 KOs) will take on John Vincent Moralde (20-1, 10 KOs) for the vacant USBA junior lightweight title. And, in a special televised attraction, 18-year-old sensation Gabriel Flores Jr. (9-0, 5 KOs) will face off against Roger Gutierrez in a six-round lightweight bout.

Herring, who served two tours of duty in Iraq, received the Battles Won Award at the press conference. The award, presented by Maj. Ted Driscoll, was given to Herring for his courage, commitment, and excellence on the battlefield and in the boxing ring.

Here is what the fighters had to say.

Jose Ramirez

“It’s definitely a dream come true to come home as a world champion, to be able to deliver world championship fights and be part of world championship fights here in Central California. I’m very happy to be able to bring this type of entertainment to this area, to the fans that deserve it.”

On new trainer Robert Garcia

“It’s been great. I’ve known Robert since my amateur career. He’s followed my career since the amateurs. He’s seen a lot of good things in me, a lot of positive things in me since the amateurs. Now that I’m able to train with him, he’s very excited and motivated to train me. I hope to continue to impress a world class trainer like Robert Garcia, to push ourselves to the limits.”

“Antonio is a very active fighter in the ring. He’s a pressure fighter like myself, and I’m more than excited to be facing fighters like him. I consider Antonio to be one of the very best in the division.”

Antonio Orozco

“I’m ready. That’s as clean as it can get. This is the opportunity that every fighter wants to get to, and mine came at the right moment. Things happen for a reason. I’m here in Fresno in front of a great champion. I’m ready. That’s all I can tell you.”

“Fresno is great. It’s hot. And I think it’s going to get hotter inside the ring. The person in front of me is going to be Jose Ramirez, and he’s the only objective at the moment.”

Jamel Herring

“It’s an honor to be out here in Fresno. Rick {Mirigian} and Top Rank have done a great job. We all know I’m from Long Island, New York, but my presence here makes me feel like I’m back home, especially with my Marine Corps family that I got to see yesterday. It was a great honor.”

“I’m just ready to go. I’m excited. I’ve had a great training camp. I’m in there with ‘Bud’ Crawford, one of the best fighters in the world. We’ve actually done a lot of sparring together.”

“Being a Marine, I feel like I have a lot to prove. I carry myself as a Marine, even though I haven’t been active duty since 2012. Once a Marine, always a Marine. ESPN and the people of Fresno are going to get a great show.”

John Vincent Moralde

“I would like to invite all Filipinos here in Fresno to come and watch and support the fight.”

Gabriel Flores Jr.

“I’m not a fully grown man, but I’m fighting fully grown men. I gotta look the part. Fighting on ESPN is going to be great, my first time. I’m going to make the best of the opportunity. There’s going to be a lot of kids back home watching me and seeing me on the big stage back in Stockton, California. I’m from Stockton. I had the odds against me, and now I’m here. They now know they can do something with their lives, just like I did with mine.”

“I expect hundreds of people {from Stockton} to come. It’s the big talk around town. I show up to local events back home. They talk to me, take pictures, and I appreciate the love they give me. Why should they tune in? They should tune in because, like they said, I’m the future. I’m going to do great Friday night. I feel good.”

ESPN, 10 p.m. ET
Jose Ramirez (champion) vs. Antonio Orozco (challenger), 12 rounds, WBC super lightweight title

Gabriel Flores Jr. vs. Roger Gutierrez, 6 rounds, lightweight

Jamel Herring vs. John Vincent Moralde, 10 rounds, vacant USBA junior lightweight title

ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. ET
Bryan Vasquez. vs. Carlos Cardenas, 10/8 rounds, lightweight

Alexander Besputin. vs. Alan Sanchez, 10 rounds, vacant USBA welterweight title

Hiroki Okada vs. Cristian Coria, 10 rounds, super lightweight

Isidro Ochoa vs. Elio De Jesus, 6 rounds, featherweight

Santos Ortega vs. Sebastian Baltazar, 4 rounds, super bantamweigt

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy Promotions, tickets to this world championship event, priced at $150 (floor), $90, $60, $35, and $25, plus applicable fees, are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000, or at the Save Mart Center box office. For more information and box office hours, visit www.savemartcenter.com.

FRESNO, Calif. (Sept. 11, 2018) – The time is finally here for Jose Ramirez, who will make the first defense of his WBC super lightweight world title against top contender Antonio Orozco on Friday at the Save Mart Center. Ramirez (22-0, 16 KOs) was supposed to defend his title at the Save Mart Center on July 7, but the bout was canceled when Danny O’Connor was hospitalized for dehydration before the weigh-in. Orozco (27-0, 17 KOs) represents his toughest test to date.

In the co-feature, United States Marine Corps veteran Jamel Herring (17-2, 10 KOs) will take on John Vincent Moralde (20-1, 10 KOs) for the vacant USBA junior lightweight title. And, in a special feature, 18-year-old phenom Gabriel Flores Jr. (9-0, 5 KOs) will face Roger Gutierrez (7-1-1, 4 KOs) in a six-round lightweight bout.

In other action: Fresno native Isidro Ochoa (5-0, 1 KO) will fight Elio De Jesus in a six-round featherweight bout, top super bantamweight prospect Santos Ortega (2-0, 1 KO) returns in a four-rounder, 140-pound contender Hiroki Okada (17-0, 12 KOs) will face Cristian Coria (27-6-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-rounder, Alexander Besputin (10-0, 8 KOs) will battle Alan Sanchez (20-3-1, 10 KOs) for the vacant USBA welterweight title, and former two-time interim world champion Bryan Vasquez (37-3, 20 KOs) makes his return against Carlos Cardenas (21-14-1, 13 KOs) in a lightweight bout.

Ramirez-Orozco, Herring-Moralde, and Flores-Gutierrez will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET, with the entire undercard to be streamed at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+— the recently-launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

On Tuesday at Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, Ramirez and many of the fighters from Friday’s card worked out for the media. This is what they had to say.

Jose Ramirez

On the fight

“This is going to be a great fight. We are both very hungry. He’s 27-0 and has been waiting for an opportunity like this, to fight for the WBC title. That pushes me even harder. This has been one of my longest camps, and the results will show in the ring.”

On working with new trainer Robert Garcia

“This camp gave me more room to know Robert Garcia and more time for him to get to know me as a fighter. Sparring {with} the fighters at the {Robert Garcia Boxing Academy} has made me a more prepared Jose Ramirez. I sparred all different types of styles, which helped get me ready for a tough guy in Orozco. I pushed myself more. I feel like I got my confidence at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy. I feel like I’m at home now.”

On July 7 Danny O’Connor defense being canceled after O’Connor missed weight

“After that happened, I took my family out to Maui (Hawaii). In Maui, I was out there running and enjoying the fresh air, getting my frustrations out. It’s frustrating when you get ready for a fight and then it falls through. There was a lot of disappointment coming from my fans, but they understand that it wasn’t my fault, that it was more my opponent not doing things correctly. At the end of the day, everything happens for a reason. I have a much better opponent to make my first title defense. I think it’s going to be a good fight for the boxing fans, for the Hispanics and the Mexicans that really like action fights. Specifically for them, I think they are going to be pleased to watch it on a big boxing weekend.”

Antonio Orozco

On facing Ramirez

“He’s aggressive. I feel like he has a very fan-friendly style. He has a style that brings out fighters to fight. It’s what we like.”

On entering hostile territory in Fresno

“I’m fighting Jose Ramirez. I’m not fighting the fans or Fresno. That’s beside the point. I’m focused on Jose Ramirez and the fight. Everything else is just ambient noise.”

On his weight struggles

“Earlier in the year, I left for Guadalajara, Mexico, and I just have a different view of things. I met a nutritionist down there and made 140 in March. I’m on the same regimen. What happened before, there are things that people don’t know. Besides the point, I’m over that. It’s done and over with. But, hey, I’m not worried about it. I got bigger things to worry about, and that’s what my focus is on. I’ve had my downs and I’ve had my ups, and this is an opportunity I’m not going to let go.”

Jamel Herring

On fighting as ESPN co-feature

“I’m just excited to fight alongside Jose, who is my good friend and Olympic teammate. I’ll be fighting in front of 14,000 screaming fans on the ESPN flagship station. I’m honored. I’m excited. I can’t wait to get in there.”

On Moralde

“I respect him. He’s here for a reason. I have fought a stronger pedigree of fighters. I saw his last two fights. I see he has issues with stamina at times. He looked good in his last fight {against Ismail Muwendo}, but I’m not Muwendo.”

Gabriel Flores Jr.

“I’ve been waiting my turn to fight on ESPN, and my time is now. This is for the kids in Stockton who look up to me. I want to inspire the kids in my community.”

John Vincent Moralde

“This is a big opportunity for me. A win here will put my name in the conversation for bigger fights.”

“Herring is good and strong, but there is nothing extraordinary about him. It’s not like he’s Lomachenko.”

Isidro Ochoa

“It means a lot to fight at home. I’m a better fighter, and I am ready to perform for the hometown fans.”

On training with Robert Garcia

“I’ve picked up a lot of new strategies. It was a great six-week camp. I feel like we’re going to take this guy out early. No hesitation.”

Ramirez vs. Orozco:
FIGHT WEEK SCHEDULE
(ALL TIMES ARE PST)

• Wednesday, Sept. 12 2018

PRESS CONFERENCE (2 p.m.)

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino
Firehouse Lounge
711 Lucky Ln, Coarsegold, CA 93614

• Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018

OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN
Report time: 2 p.m.
Fighters on the scales: 3 p.m.

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino
Firehouse Lounge
711 Lucky Ln, Coarsegold, CA 93614

• FRIDAY, Sept. 14, 2018

FIGHT NIGHT
Save Mart Center
2650 E. Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93710

– 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Media Check-In @ South East Clock Tower Entrance
– 3 p.m. – Doors Open
– 3:30 p.m. – First Fight (Streaming on ESPN+)
– 7 p.m. – ESPN telecast (Ramirez-Orozco, Herring-Moralde, and Flores-Gutierrez)

FRESNO, Calif. (Sept. 10, 2018) – Gabriel Flores Jr., the 18-year-old phenom and former U.S. amateur standout, will make his ESPN debut on Friday, Sept. 14 as part of the world championship card headlined by Jose Ramirez’s WBC super lightweight title defense against Antonio Orozco at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif.

Flores (9-0, 5 KOs) will face Roger “El Puas” Gutierrez (7-1-1, 1 NC, 4 KOs) in a six-round junior lightweight bout. Ramirez-Orozco, Flores-Gutierrez and Jamel Herring versus John Vincent Moralde for the vacant USBA junior lightweight title will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET. The entire undercard will stream live at 7:30 p.m. ET in the United States on ESPN+— the recently-launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

“It’s going to feel good to fight on ESPN in California so close to home, to be on a big stage to inspire the kids in Stockton, my hometown,” Flores said. “I want to open their eyes for them to know they can accomplish their own dreams. This opportunity is a dream come true.”

“Flores has the whole package, and without question, he is going to be a major star,” said Rick Mirigian, Flores’ adviser. “With his ESPN TV debut on the sport’s biggest weekend in front of 14,000 people near his hometown, a star will be born.”

Flores won U.S. Junior National Championships in 2015 and 2016, concluding his stellar amateur career with a 91-7 record. In November 2016, at the age of 16, he became the youngest fighter ever to sign a promotional contract with Top Rank. He made his professional debut on May 5, 2017, only four days after his 17th birthday. Trained by his father, Gabriel Flores Sr., the recent high school graduate has kept a busy schedule as a pro fighting on high-profile undercards. He is 4-0 thus far in 2018, most recently scoring a six-round unanimous decision against James De Herrera on July 7 at the Save Mart Center. Flores also appeared on the Terence Crawford-Jeff Horn card June 9 in Las Vegas, notching a shutout four-round decision against Jorge Rojas Zacazontetl.

Gutierrez represents Flores’ toughest test to date, as he is 3-0 with a no contest since the lone defeat on his ledger. A 25-year-old who trains out of Pacoima, Calif., Gutierrez last fought on April 28 and took some time away from the sport because of a hand injury. Now fully recovered, he hopes to spoil Flores’ ESPN debut.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International (DTCI) segment in conjunction with ESPN. ESPN+ offers fans two exclusive, original boxing programs The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays, weekly) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to exclusive Top Rank boxing content, programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports from more than 15 conferences), UFC (beginning in 2019), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby, cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 7, 2018) – Maxim “Mad Max” Dadashev suffered a torn bicep in training and has been forced to postpone his originally scheduled Sept. 14 NABF super lightweight title defense against Antonio DeMarco. Jamel Herring versus John Vincent Moralde for the vacant USBA junior lightweight title has been elevated to the ESPN-televised co-feature underneath Jose Ramirez’s WBC super lightweight title defense against Antonio Orozco at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif.

Dadashev-DeMarco has been moved to the co-feature slot on Oct. 20 when Ryota Murata defends his WBA middleweight world title against Rob Brant at the Park Theater in Las Vegas.

“I just want to say I’m honored to fight on ESPN,” Herring said. “I was already excited to fight on the same card as my Olympic teammate, Jose Ramirez, but to be placed as the co-main event right before he steps in the ring is a big deal. A win here will land me in position for a world title, so I’m not losing any focus at the real task at hand.”

Ramirez-Orozco and Herring-Moralde will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET.

Murata-Brant and Dadashev-DeMarco will stream live in the United States beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+ — the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

In other news, Top Rank is pleased to announce it has signed the following fighters to promotional agreements, all of whom will see action on Top Rank on ESPN cards in 2018.

Jonathan Guzman (22-1, 22 KOs) — Hailing from the Dominican Republic, Guzman is a former IBF junior featherweight world champion, having knocked out Shingo Wake in the 11th round in July 2016 to capture the title. In his first title defense, on Dec. 31, 2016, he dropped a competitive unanimous decision to Yukinori Oguni in Japan. Guzman has not fought since the Oguni defeat, but he is targeting a return to title contention at 122 pounds.

“I want to thank God for this opportunity. I am excited and fortunate to be given this opportunity by Top Rank,” Guzman said. “This will give me better opportunities in the boxing world. I want to get back to the championship level, and I know Top Rank can get me there.”

Tyler Howard (15-0, 10 KOs) — The 24-year-old from Crossville, Tenn., will fight as a middleweight after spending most of his career at super middleweight. A six-year pro, he last fought on July 14 in New Orleans, knocking out Javier Frazier in the second round.

“Signing with the premier promotional company in the sport of boxing is a huge accomplishment for my team and I,” Howard said. “I trust that my career is in great hands with my manager (Tim Van Newhouse) and Top Rank. I know my team will present me with many opportunities to catapult my career into world contention status.”

Michael Perez (25-2-2, 11 KOs) — A longtime contender at 135 and 140 pounds, Perez will campaign at 140 pounds as he seeks his first career title shot. A native of Newark, N.J., Perez last fought in April 2017 when he defeated Marcelino Lopez via split decision.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank God for this opportunity to become part of the Top Rank family,” Perez said. “I have always respected the way they treat their fighters. I look forward to adding value and excitement to their already amazing shows.”

Eric Puente (0-0) — A decorated U.S. amateur from Vista, Calif., Puente will make the leap to the professional ranks and campaign as a lightweight. He was a gold medalist at the 2016 USA Boxing Youth Championships (132 pounds).

“I’m extremely happy to be signing with Top Rank,” Puente said. “This is an exciting chapter in my life, and I want to make my family and fans happy and hopefully one day become world champion. I know I have the very best promotional company behind me!”

FRESNO, Calif. (Aug. 13, 2018) – Maxim “Mad Max” Dadashev will defend the NABF super lightweight title against former WBC lightweight world champion Antonio DeMarco on Friday, Sept. 14 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. The Dadashev-DeMarco bout will serve as the co-feature to Jose Ramirez’s WBC super lightweight title defense against Antonio Orozco.

Ramirez-Orozco and Dadashev-DeMarco will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET, with the entire undercard to be streamed at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+ — the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

Headlining the ESPN+ broadcast will be 2012 U.S. Olympian and United States Marine Corps veteran Jamel Herring (17-2, 10 KOs) against John Vincent Moralde (20-1, 10 KOs) for the vacant USBA junior lightweight title. Also appearing on ESPN+ will be Hiroki Okada (17-0, 12 KOs), a 140-pound contender who will make his Top Rank debut against Cristian Coria (27-6-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-rounder. And, in a special attraction, Gabe Flores Jr. (9-0, 5 KOs), the 18-year-old phenom from Stockton, California, will see action in a six-round featherweight bout against Roger Gutierrez (7-1-1, 4 KOs).

Dadashev (11-0, 10 KOs) is coming off a 10th-round stoppage against former world champion Darleys Perez on June 9 in Las Vegas, while DeMarco (33-6-1, 24 KOs) most recently knocked out then-undefeated Eddie Ramirez in the first round in October of last year.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy Promotions, tickets to this world championship event, priced at $150 (floor), $90, $60, $35, and $25, plus applicable fees, are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000, or at the Save Mart Center box office. For more information and box office hours, visit www.savemartcenter.com.

“This is going to be the biggest night in the history of Central Valley boxing, as more than 14,000 fans will pack the Save Mart Center to watch Jose Ramirez defend his world title,” said Rick Mirigian, Ramirez’s manager. “The undercard is a special one, and we can’t wait for the fans in attendance and watching on ESPN and ESPN+ to see what we have in store.”

“DeMarco is a skilled veteran and a former world champion who I have a lot of respect for,” Dadashev said. “I am ready to fight for a world title soon, and DeMarco is in my way. I will put on a spectacular performance for the great fans in Fresno and for everyone watching on ESPN.”

“I’m just honored and excited to be back for this card,” Herring said. “As some may know, Jose and I were Olympic teammates, but we haven’t fought on the same night since our amateur days. It’s great to reunite with a close friend again. I’m really motivated to fight for my first title as a professional. Though it isn’t for a world title, a big win here will catapult me higher in the rankings and a step closer to a world title. I’m also motivated for this fight because Moralde got a victory over one of my training partners {Ismail Muwendo} in his last outing, so I feel as if we must get that victory back. I look at every fight as a title fight, and let’s not forget I’m fighting in front of my Marine Corps family so it’s a must that I put on a great performance!”

“It feels great to be fighting on Mexican Independence Day weekend,” Flores said. “This has been the best training camp of my career, so the fans can expect an explosive Gabe Flores Jr.!”

“I’m so excited about signing with Top Rank. I would like to thank Mr. Bob Arum, the greatest promoter in the world, for this amazing opportunity,” Okada said. “Ever since I signed, I’ve been training harder than ever. This is such a great chance, and I am going to do my best to make the most of it.”

In other undercard bouts:

Welterweight puncher Alexander Besputin (10-0, 8 KOs), coming off a third-round knockout at the Save Mart Center on May 26, will face Alan Sanchez (20-3-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

Fresno native Isidro Ochoa (5-0, 1 KO) will face Victor Morales (9-0, 5 KOs) in a six-round lightweight contest.

Former two-time interim world champion Bryan Vasquez (37-3, 20 KOs) will take on Carlos Cardenas (21-14-1, 13 KOs) in a lightweight bout.

Top 122-pound prospect Santos Ortega (2-0, 1 KO), who last fought July 7 at the Save Mart Center, will fight Sebastian Baltazar (1-1, 0 KOs) in a four-rounder.

Ruben Rodriguez (3-0, 1 KO), from Indio, California, will fight an opponent to be announced in a six-round super featherweight bout.
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International (DTCI) segment in conjunction with ESPN. ESPN+ offers fans two exclusive, original boxing programs The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays, weekly) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to exclusive Top Rank boxing content, programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports from more than 15 conferences), UFC (beginning in 2019), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby, cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

Ramirez, the pride of California’s Central Valley, will make the first defense of his WBC super lightweight title against Antonio “Relentless” Orozco on Friday, Sept. 14 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. Ramirez was originally scheduled to defend his title at the Save Mart Center on July 7 against Danny O’Connor, but the bout was canceled after O’Connor was hospitalized for severe dehydration before the weigh-in.

Ramirez-Orozco and a soon-to-be announced co-feature will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET, with the entire undercard to be streamed at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+— the recently-launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy Promotions, tickets to this world championship event, priced at $150 (floor), $90, $60, $35, and $25, plus applicable fees, go on sale Friday, Aug. 3 at 12 p.m. PST. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000, or at the Save Mart Center box office. For more information and box office hours, visit www.savemartcenter.com.

“We have an undefeated fighter in front of us, and I will get myself prepared to put on a great show,” Ramirez said. “It’s an honor to fight in Fresno, and we owe it to the fans after what happened last time. We’re going to make this show bigger and better. The fans of Fresno and the Central Valley have supported me my entire career, and I am honored to return home to defend the WBC world championship.”

“This will be a signature fight for Jose,” said Bob Arum, Top Rank’s founder and CEO. “Orozco is a very good, undefeated fighter, and we’re looking forward to a spectacular show back in our favorite venue, the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.”

“My time is now,” Orozco said. “The time for me to become world champion is here, and I will do everything possible to take that world title away from Jose Ramirez. I want to thank my manager Frank Espinoza and Golden Boy Promotions for this opportunity, which I will take full advantage of this September. I know that Ramirez is a tough fighter and that I’ll be fighting on enemy turf. But I’m not worried about that. I have all the experience and the skills to score a great victory and leave the ring with the world title around my waist.”

“Orozco has been a loyal Golden Boy Promotions fighter for years, and we always knew he would fight for a world title,” said Eric Gomez, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “There’s no better way to do it than against a tough champion in Jose Ramirez. This is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate that he is the best in the division, and I’m confident he will walk away world champion when he invades enemy territory on Sept. 14.”

Ramirez (22-0, 16 KOs), beloved in the Central Valley for his commitment to immigrant causes and water rights for area farmers, won the vacant WBC super lightweight title on March 17 in New York City with a hard-fought unanimous decision over Amir Imam. He earned the title shot with a stunning second-round knockout over the previously undefeated Mike Reed on Nov. 11, 2017 in front of 13,838 fans at the Save Mart Center, which broke the venue’s previous record for a boxing match. When Ramirez fought Issouf Kinda at the Save Mart Center on Dec. 2, 2016, 13,700 fans turned out for the event dubbed “Fight For Water 6.” A 2012 U.S. Olympian, Ramirez turned pro later that year and soon became one of North America’s top ticket-sellers. On Oct. 25, 2014, Ramirez knocked out David Rodela in 50 seconds to win the vacant NABF super lightweight title in front of 10,000 fans at the Selland Arena in Fresno.

Orozco (27-0, 17 KOs), ranked the WBC’s No. 3 super lightweight, is a 10-year pro with a résumé that includes standout wins over former world champions and longtime contenders. In 2014 alone, he defeated former junior lightweight world champion Steve “2 Pounds” Forbes, former title challenger Martin “El Brochas” Honorio, and tough-as-nails veteran Miguel “El Anestesista” Huerta. On Oct. 3, 2015, as the co-feature to the Viktor “The Iceman” Postol vs. Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse main event in Carson, California, Orozco won a 10-round unanimous decision over former two-division world champion Humberto “La Zorrita” Soto. In his last bout, March 16 at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, Orozco weighed in at the super lightweight limit of 140 pounds and prevailed via eight-round unanimous decision over Honorio in a rematch.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing, www.goldenboypromotions.com; Facebook facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; https://www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing/ Twitter twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, https://twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo.

Use the hashtag #RamirezOrozco to join the conversation on social media.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks.

The ESPN+ lineup includes 18 exclusive, live Top Rank events per year, dozens of fights from other Top Rank undercards, an unmatched library of the greatest fights in boxing history, and two exclusive, original boxing programs: The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays) and In This Corner (twice monthly).

It also features hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, PGA TOUR golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is an integrated part of the completely redesigned ESPN App. Already the leading sports app, the new ESPN App is the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans and is a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation. With a richer, increasingly more personalized experience, the new ESPN App curates all of ESPN’s incredible content into an experience unique to each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also available through ESPN.com.

FRESNO, Calif. (July 4, 2018) – The homecoming is almost here. WBC super lightweight champion Jose Ramirez will make the first defense of his title against Danny O’Connor on Saturday at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, a short drive from Ramirez’s hometown of Avenal.

Ramirez-O’Connor and the 10-round welterweight showdown between Egidijus Kavaliauskas and Juan Carlos Abreu will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET.

The entire undercard will be shown on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. and includes heavyweight contender Andy Ruiz Jr. (30-1, 20 KOs) against Kevin Johnson (32-9-1, 16 KOs) in a 10-rounder, undefeated Andy Vences (20-0-1, 12 KOs) versus Frank De Alba (22-3-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight fight, and 18-year-old wunderkind Gabe Flores Jr. (8-0, 5 KOs) against James De Herrera (4-3, 3 KOs) in a six-round lightweight contest.

This is what the fighters had to say.

Jose Ramirez

“It has been a beautiful experience since I became a world champion. I’m very thankful for all the blessings. I’m a very thankful person and I hope I make everybody proud as a champion. My fans have seen me grow as a fighter.”

“This was my dream. Since I was little, I wanted to become a world champion and then be able to defend the title in front of the fans of the Central Valley. That is happening on Saturday.”

“As a fighter, I want to learn more and more. I want to keep sharpening my craft. I want to become a complete fighter and now even more that I’m a world champion. I’m ready to fight the best champions and get all the doubts out of the way as to who is the best fighter in the division.”

Robert García (Trainer, Jose Ramirez)

“This is our first fight working together and I don’t want José to change much. This fight will be similar to what people have seen. I think that the fans will start to notice the adjustments we have worked on after our second training camp together. We will have more time to work.”

“We have to put pressure on O’Connor and we have to go to the body. Those are two things that Jose has been very good at during his whole career.”

“His left hook to the body is very strong, but his left jab is the strongest jab I have ever felt.”

“There are always fireworks every time that Jose fights, but being that this is the Fourth of July weekend, the fireworks are going to be even better.”

Danny O’Connor

“I have no pressure of coming into his backyard to fight him. I’m a firefighter and I run into burning buildings. There is no pressure whatsoever. At the end of the day, it is going to be just him and me inside the ring. I understand that the crowd will be cheering for him because this is his hometown, but that doesn’t rattle me. I’m here to do what I do. This is just another boxing match and it could be on Mars for all that I care. I’m going to leave Fresno with the WBC super lightweight world title.”

Egidijus Kavaliauskas

“The fans can expect a great fight from me on Saturday. Every time I get in the ring, I try to give the fans an entertaining fight. I want to show them what I can do. Even though I’m always smiling; I’m very mean in the ring. That is why they call me ‘The Mean Machine’.”

“I feel that I’m ready to challenge for a world title. Challenging the winner of Pacquiao vs. Matthysse will be a dream come true.”

Andy Vences

“I know I’m fighting a very tough opponent in Frank De Alba. He is someone that I definitely will not overlook. I’m focused on the fight and I’m ready to show who ‘El Tiburón’ is.”

On His Draw Against Erick De Léon

“That was a very tough fight, but I still think that I won the fight. I already put that in the past. That is why this Saturday everyone will see how much I have improved as a fighter.”

Gabe Flores Jr.

“I want to keep growing and improving as a fighter. This is a sport that you have to take seriously. And I do. I eat, sleep, everything is boxing. For this fight, we worked a lot on our footwork. We will use that to attack in angles.”

Andy Ruiz

“I’ve been training with Manny Robles at Legendz Boxing Gym in Norwalk, California. I feel great there. I feel that my style and Manny’s style is a perfect combination.”

“I want to fight all the big names out there. The more fights I get, the better I will get. It is about time I battle one of those big names in the heavyweight division again. It is my turn this Saturday to put on a good show and move on to bigger fights. I’m ready.”

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. ESPN+ offers fans two exclusive, original boxing programs The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to boxing content, fans can watch thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA TOUR golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

FRESNO, Calif. (June 26, 2018) – The Mean Machine, Egidijus Kavaliauskas, is looking to cement his name as a welterweight to watch when he defends the NABF title against Juan Carlos Abreu, July 7 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno as the ESPN-televised co-feature to Jose Ramirez’s WBC super lightweight title defense against Danny O’Connor.

The undercard will also feature heavyweight contender Andy Ruiz Jr. against veteran Kevin Johnson in a 10- round bout, 18-year-old wunderkind Gabe Flores Jr. versus James De Herrera in a six-round lightweight bout, and Andy Vences defending the WBC Continental Americas super featherweight title against Frank De Alba.

Ramirez vs. O’Connor and Kavaliauskas vs. Abreu will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET.

The entire undercard, including Vences-DeAlba, Ruiz-Johnson and Flores-De Herrera will be streamed on ESPN+ starting at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Star Boxing and Murphys Boxing, tickets to this world championship event, priced at $150 (floor), 90, $60, $35, $20, and $10, plus applicable fees, are ON SALE NOW and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000, or at the Save Mart Center box office. For more information and box office hours, visit www.savemartcenter.com.

“This is a great opportunity to show everyone watching on ESPN what the ‘Mean Machine’ is made of,” Kavaliauskas said. “I want a title shot soon, but I have to take care of business against Abreu to make my dreams a reality. It’s going to be a toe-to-toe battle, and I know I will be victorious.”

“I am excited to show what I’m capable of doing. I’m more anxious than anything to show everyone the improvements I’ve made,” Vences said. “I am fighting another southpaw, so I feel like I’m picking up where I left off. I have a lot of family and friends coming out to support me, which gives me extra motivation.”

“This is my first fight in California as a pro, and I can’t wait to entertain my people,” Flores said.

Kavaliauskas (19-0, 16 KOs), ranked in the top 10 by three of the four major sanctioning organizations, is on the precipice of a world title shot. A native of Lithuania who trains out of the Boxing Laboratory in Oxnard, California, Kavaliauskas has won four consecutive fights by stoppage. He won the NABF title last September with a seventh-round TKO over Mahonri Montes and defended the title in February with a sixth-round TKO over former WBA welterweight world champion David Avanesyan. Abreu (21-3-1, 19 KOs) has won two in a row since a split decision loss to then-unbeaten Alex Martin in June 2016.

Ruiz (30-1, 20 KOs) is on the comeback trail after dropping a majority decision to Joseph Parker on Dec. 10, 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand. He took 15 months off after the Parker loss, but came back March 10 in Carson, California, knocking out Devin Vargas in the opening round. Johnson (32-9-1, 16 KOs) is a 15-year pro who challenged Vitali Klitschko for the WBC heavyweight title in 2009, losing a unanimous decision.

Flores (8-0, 5 KOs), an 18-year-old recent high school graduate from Stockton, California, signed with Top Rank in November 2016 at 16 years old, becoming the youngest fighter ever to sign with the promotional company. He is seeking his fourth win of 2018, most recently scoring a four-round unanimous decision June 9 in Las Vegas on the Terence Crawford-Jeff Horn undercard.

In his last bout, Vences (20-0-1, 12 KOs) fought to spirited draw against Erick De Leon as the ESPN-televised co-feature to the Oscar Valdez-Scott Quigg bout March 10 in Carson, California. De Alba (22-3-2, 9 KOs) is looking to get back into the win column following an eight-round majority decision defeat to O’Shaquie Foster on April 13 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

In other undercard action:
19-year-old phenom Joseph Adorno (7-0, 7 KOs) will face Guadalupe De Leon in a six-round super featherweight bout. Adorno has six first-round stoppages on his ledger.

130-pound prospect Bryan Lua (5-0, 2 KOs) of Madera, California, will take on Sergio Ramirez (4-2, 4 KOs) in a six rounder. Lua is riding a two-bout knockout streak.

Indio, California, native Ruben Rodriguez (2-0, 1 KO) returns to action after a nearly nine-month layoff against Richard Howell (2-1-2 1 KO) of Dallas in a six-round super lightweight fight.

Super bantamweight Santos Ortega (1-0, 1 KO) will put his unbeaten record on the line against Ivan Martino (2-1, 2 KOs) in a four-rounder.

Fresno native Manuel Manzo (3-6-1, 1 KO), winner of three straight, will look to thrill the home fans against Sergio Lopez (3-5-1, 0 KOs) in a four-round super bantamweight bout.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks.

The ESPN+ lineup includes 18 exclusive, live Top Rank events per year, dozens of fights from other Top Rank undercards, an unmatched library of the greatest fights in boxing history, and two exclusive, original boxing programs: The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays) and In This Corner (twice monthly).

It also features hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, PGA TOUR golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is an integrated part of the completely redesigned ESPN App. Already the leading sports app, the new ESPN App is the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans and is a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation. With a richer, increasingly more personalized experience, the new ESPN App curates all of ESPN’s incredible content into an experience unique to each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also available through ESPN.com.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (June 20, 2018) — The next chapter of Jose Ramirez’s career — this one as a world champion — will occur with a new voice in his corner. After a long and successful partnership with Freddie Roach, Ramirez (22-0, 16 KOs) hired Robert Garcia as his head trainer following his unanimous decision victory over Amir Imam on March 17 to win the vacant WBC super lightweight championship.

Ramirez, from Avenal, California, will make his first title defense on July 7 at the Save Mart Center in nearby Fresno against Danny O’Connor (30-3, 11 KOs).

Ramirez worked out for the media Wednesday at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy.

This is what Ramirez and Garcia had to say.

Jose Ramirez

On fighting in Fresno as a champion

“I believe the excitement of the people to see me return home as a world champion is going to be huge. Everybody in the Central Valley watched my fight March 17 at Madison Square Garden when I beat Amir Imam to become world champion. I think the excitement and the pride that they’re going to come into the Save Mart Center with is going to make the atmosphere so much better.”

“My goal was to fight in Fresno, to showcase my skills in front of my fans, family, and friends. Once that happened, I was able to headline a show in Fresno, and everything started to fall into place. I’m honored that we’re able to defend the title in Fresno, thanks to Top Rank and the team that worked hard to get this fight done. I’m living a dream.”

On being a big favorite against Danny O’Connor.

“I feel like I have a responsibility as a world champion, so that responsibility helps me stay focused and grounded. This fight will only lead to bigger fights. It’s another step to fighting the big fights.”

On the 140-pound division

“I want to fight all of the champions, but I have to take care of business July 7 against Danny O’Connor first. I am excited to come home and defend my title. It’s going to be a great night for the Central Valley of California.”

Robert Garcia

On working with Ramirez

“I’d met him before. In the amateurs, everyone knew about Jose. I saw him fight in Fresno, and he would come to my gym in Oxnard, spar a few rounds. I’ve known him for a long time, and it’s great to be working with him.”

Ramirez vs. O’Connor will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET. Undercard bouts, including appearances by Central Valley prospect Bryan Lua and heavyweight contender Andy Ruiz Jr., will stream on ESPN+ starting at 6:30 p.m. ET. Also appearing on ESPN+ in a six-round special attraction will be blue-chip prospect Gabe Flores Jr. of Stockton, California, who signed with Top Rank as a 16-year-old in November 2016, becoming the youngest fighter ever signed by the promotional company.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Star Boxing and Murphys Boxing, tickets to this world championship event, priced at $150 (floor), 90, $60, $35, $20, and $10, plus applicable fees, are ON SALE NOW and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000, or at the Save Mart Center box office. For more information and box office hours, visit www.savemartcenter.com