FRESNO, Calif. (May 16, 2018) – Jose Ramirez, the pride of California’s Central Valley, is ready for his world championship homecoming.

Ramirez, from Avenal, Calif., will make the first defense of his World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight title against former amateur standout and longtime contender Danny O’Connor on Saturday, July 7 at the Save Mart Center. Ramirez vs. O’Connor will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Undercard bouts, including appearances by top Central Valley prospects Bryan Lua and Isidro Ochoa, will stream on ESPN+ starting at 7:30 p.m. ET. Also appearing on ESPN+ in a six-round special attraction will be blue-chip prospect Gabe Flores Jr. of Stockton, Calif., who signed with Top Rank as a 16-year-old in November 2016, becoming the youngest fighter ever signed by the promotional company. This will be the first professional fight for Flores (7-0, 5 KOs) in California, who is also scheduled to fight on the Terence Crawford vs. Jeff Horn undercard June 9 in Las Vegas.

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.

As a bonus, fans who purchase tickets to Ramirez-O’Connor will also receive a free voucher to attend the May 26 card at the Save Mart Center, a world championship doubleheader featuring 115-pound world champions Jerwin Ancajas and Kal Yafai in separate bouts.

“Jose Ramirez is one of the brightest lights in the sport of boxing,” said Bob Arum, founder and CEO of Top Rank. “He’s an incredible competitor and a great advocate for social causes like immigration rights.”

“It has been my dream to become a world champion. It’s now my duty to defend this belt at home for my city, fans and everything I fight for,” Ramirez said. “I’m blessed to have this opportunity. I dedicate this fight to the immigrants that contribute to and make our society a better place. I’m pro-immigrant and proud.”

“I have been waiting for this opportunity since the day I put my first pair of gloves on. I embrace the chance to do battle with a great warrior such as Jose Ramirez,” O’Connor said. “I believe we have a legitimate shot at winning the world title and fulfilling my lifelong dream. We are prepared to bring it to Fresno on July 7!”

“This is the largest and most historic televised sporting event in Central Valley history, as our hometown hero defends his WBC world title as the main event on ESPN,” said Rick Mirigian, Ramirez’s manager. “Hollywood couldn’t script this any better.”

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.

O’Connor (30-3, 11 KOs), from Framingham, Mass., is getting his first crack at a world title after nearly a decade as a professional. A slick southpaw, O’Connor had an illustrious amateur career, winning four New England Golden Gloves titles, a 2008 national Golden Gloves title at 141 pounds, and earning an alternate berth on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. O’Connor won the first 14 bouts of his professional career before dropping a unanimous decision to Gabriel Bracero on April 8, 2011 in Laredo, Texas. He won nine in a row before a highly controversial split decision loss to former world champion Vivian Harris in 2013. Following a shocking, one-punch knockout loss to Bracero in their 2015 rematch, O’Connor has won four consecutive fights. In his last bout, on a special St. Patrick’s Day card in Boston, O’Connor rebounded from seventh-round knockdown to win a unanimous decision over Steve Claggett and retain the WBC International Silver super lightweight belt.

ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International segment and ESPN. ESPN+ also offers fans two exclusive, original boxing programs The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Mondays, weekly) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to boxing content, fans that subscribe to ESPN+ get thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks – for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year).

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

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, junior welterweight titeholders, Jose Ramirez and Regis Prograis will take separate bouts before they are mandated to fight each other.

On July 7 at the Save Mart Center in his home region of Fresno, California, Ramirez will defend his belt for the first time when he meets Danny O’Connor in the main event of a Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card.

One week later, on July 14 at the Lakefront Arena at the University of New Orleans, Prograis (21-0, 18 KOs) will fight in his hometown for the first time in the main event of another Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card. He will face Juan Jose Velasco as long as Velasco wins a fight he has scheduled for Friday night in his home country of Argentina and comes away uninjured.

fter Prograis, 29, won the vacant interim belt by stopping former unified titlist Julius Indongo in the second round on March 9, and Ramirez (22-0, 16 KOs), 25, of Avenal, California, outpointed Amir Imam for the vacant full title on March 17, they were supposed to fight next based on a ruling at last year’s WBC convention ordering the winners of the two bouts to meet on a 50-50 split if the fight went to a purse bid.

However, Ramirez promoter Todd duBoef of Top Rank and Prograis promoter Lou DiBella told ESPN on Thursday that they have agreed to forgo the fight for now with the hope of having it take place perhaps next summer when they believe it can be much bigger commercially.

“It’s a great fight now. We want it to be a great event as well,” duBoef said. “It’s back-to-back weekends, back-to-back hometowns. The scenario we like is two young guys building momentum and using the upcoming fights to showcase themselves and make their fight much bigger. We want it to be more than just a great fight. We want it to be a big fight, which is what the sport needs.”

if Prograis wins his summer fight, he is headed to the World Boxing Super Series eight-man single-elimination tournament, which will begin in September but has not yet been formally announced. If he wins the tournament — and he’ll be favored to do so — he could emerge with two major titles as well as the WBC’s symbolic diamond belt and a date with Ramirez.

“We’re banking on the skill sets of both fighters and the marketability of what we can do behind them to create a bigger match down the road,” duBoef said. “This is collaborative between both sides. We’re not hiding from anybody. Lou communicated his needs, and we communicated our needs, and then we figured out a solution that works for everybody, and that was good collaborative behavior.”

“We know this fight can be built into something,” DiBella said. “There’s an interest in doing the fight right now and we had backing from Showtime (where Prograis has been fighting). We could have gone to purse bid, and the fight could have been delayed. Ramirez isn’t going into the tournament, but Regis wants to be part of it, and he couldn’t have both — the fight right away and then the tournament. So with this scenario, Regis can go into the tournament. The tournament will be over in less than a year. Regis will get exposure in the tournament, and Todd can keep building Ramirez on his ESPN platform. If these kids keep winning the fight won’t be smaller in a year. At that point they’ll be much bigger.”

“It has been my dream to become a world champion. It’s now my duty to defend this belt at home for my city, fans and everything I fight for,” Ramirez said Thursday. “I’m blessed to have this opportunity. I dedicate this fight to the immigrants that contribute to and make our society a better place. I’m pro-immigrant and proud.”

Newly crowned WBC Super Lightweight champion Jose Ramirez is mandated to face interim champion Regis Prograis, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Since Jose won the title, we’ve been busy, but he is also looking forward to enjoying these events in his honor,” manager Rick Mirigian told ESPN. “He loves his community and they love him.”

Fans would be advised not to shake his right hand too hard, however. According to Mirigian, Ramirez suffered a “tiny fracture” at the base of his thumb on his right hand during the action-packed fight with Imam.

“It’s nothing significant. The doctor said he needed to rest it for 30 days and it should be fine,” Mirigian said. “It’s a tiny fracture at the bottom of his thumb. It’s nothing that needed surgery or was that severe. The doctor just recommended he not use it for the next 30 days.”

“Consistent to the WBC ruling during the world annual convention in Baku, Azerbaijan, the WBC is hereby ordering the free negotiations period for the mandatory fight to unify the WBC and the WBC interim championships,” Sulaiman wrote.

“Once again, congratulations and we look forward to a tremendous fight, which is already of the world interest,” Sulaiman wrote.

Ramirez said he has no problem fighting Prograis next if that has to be the case. “I signed up to fight the best to become the best. I fear no one,” Ramirez said. “We know Prograis should be next and I’m willing to take on the challenge that we both deserve. I will rest and enjoy the moment for a couple of weeks, and then start where I left off.”

He’s a good fighter, but I don’t think he brings much value to the table for a big fight until someone promotes him. Let him get known somewhat and you’ve got something,” Mirigian said. “I agree with Arum that he needs the exposure, but Jose will fight him. But for a big fight to happen, I just feel this guy needs some more promotion under him.

“He needs to be built somewhat outside the ring. We’ve put the work in outside the ring as well as inside the ring. Jose is ready to fight this guy and that’s what he wants, but we’ll let Bob Arum and Top Rank make those decisions. But I agree with what Top Rank is proposing to make the fight bigger.”

Top Rank is ready to make the fight with Prograis next if it has to.

“There have been some very preliminary discussions [with DiBella] about a couple of different scenarios,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN. “However it may work out, it works out. And if we have to fight Regis next, then that’s what will happen. He’s a terrific fighter, as is Jose, but I don’t view [Prograis] as a second coming of Henry Armstrong.”

LONDON (14 March, 2018) – Boxing fans have more reason to celebrate this St Patrick’s Day with BoxNation to air Michael Conlan’s ring return on the Jose Ramirez v Amir Imam world title card exclusively live this Saturday night.

26-year-old Conlan enjoyed a successful debut year as a professional in 2017, raking up five wins from five fights, and will now return to the place where it all started on St Patrick’s Day last year, New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden.

The 2012 Olympic bronze medalist will take on the heavy handed Hungarian David Berna, who has knocked out 14 opponents in his 15 wins, and will be looking to push on again in 2018.

Conlan’s last fight came in December when he beat Argentina’s Luis Fernando Molina via a unanimous points decision over six rounds.

The rising featherweight star is aiming to continue his impressive form and put on a great fight for his fans tuning in live on BoxNation this weekend.

“I’m looking forward to another fantastic night of boxing in The Theatre at Madison Square Garden. It will be exactly one year to the day since my professional debut in the Mecca of Boxing. I’m excited and ready to put on a great show for my amazing fans,” said Conlan. “I know, like last year, thousands are travelling over from Ireland to support me for which I’m hugely grateful. There is only one place to be on St. Patrick’s Day this year, and that is The Garden!”

Conlan fights on a card headlined by light-welterweight contenders Ramirez, with a record of 25-0, 16 KOs, and Don King’s fighter Imam, 21-1, 18 KOs, who will compete for the vacant WBC world title.

Both men are renowned for the dynamite in their hands, with 25-year-old Ramirez from Avenal, California, an amateur standout and a 2012 U.S. Olympian, having stopped 76% of his opponents.

He is highly thought of by promoters Top Rank, and since pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford made the decision to move up to welterweight that has opened the gateway for a new generation of fighters to fill the gap at 140-pounds.

“I’m honoured for the opportunity to be able to fight for a world title. Since I was only eight years old, with a few amateur victories under my belt, I started dreaming of becoming a world champion. To have that green and gold belt like all the best fighters in history have. I’m living my dream,” said Ramirez. “I’m ready to work as hard as it takes, to overcome any obstacle and adversity that comes my way. I’ve sacrificed, worked, and challenged myself in a way most can’t imagine. Physically and mentally I’ll be more than ready come Saturday. I started drawing this picture 17 years ago, and I almost have it completed.”

Ramirez might be hoping he is the man for the job but New Yorker Imam, who has an even more impressive knockout percentage of 86%, including his last three fights, will be out to paint his own picture and enters this fight world-rated No. 1 by the WBC.

“I’ll have a really good opponent in front of me, and it’s going to be a good fight,” said Imam. “Fighting at Madison Square Garden, where I come from is a big thing, and it is a dream come true. I’m looking forward to it, and I’m working hard. I was ringside in Fresno for Jose’s last fight, so I know what he brings to the table. I know what I’ve got to do to win this belt. This fight will be a clash of two fighters with a lot of knockouts, and it will come down to who can stand up to that leather. If he does come straight forward, I will box and break him down and stop him. I’m not going to call for a knockout, but if it comes within itself, I am going to take advantage of it. Either way, I will leave that ring with the W.”

Jim McMunn, BoxNation Managing Director, said: “It will be a fantastic sporting weekend for the Irish starting with the Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Friday, a possible Grand Slam in the Six Nations on Saturday, all rounded off with one of their own “Fighting Irish”, Michael Conlan, as he steps into the ring at the legendary Madison Square Garden supported by Irish America on St Patrick’s Day. This is a brilliant card with some serious talent on display. Headlined by two ferocious punchers in Jose Ramirez against Amir Imam for the vacant WBC light-welterweight world title, it will be a bill that promises edge-of-the-seat action from start to finish.”

BoxNation is available on Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/EE/Apple TV/ online at watch.boxnation.com, via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon) and TV Player for just £12 a month. Buy now at boxnation.com.

– ENDS –

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POMPANO BEACH, FLA., March 12, 4:15 pm ET – Amir Imam (21-1, 18 KOs) is in Pompano Beach, Florida, under the auspices of head trainer Stacy McKinley, in final preparations for his March 17 showdown against Jose Ramirez (21-0, 16 KOs) from Avenal, California for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight belt Saturday, March 17, at the The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Imam, 27, rated No. 1 by the WBC, boasts a victory by knockout ratio of 86%, including his last three and five of his last seven. Ramirez, 25, WBC No. 3 ranked super lightweight, has stopped 76% of the opponents he has faced, including four consecutive and eight in his last 10 bouts

“Amir Imam is coming to Madison Square Garden, The Mecca of Boxing, in New York City, to take down not only Jose Ramirez but Bob Arum too!” boasted Imam’s promoter Don King. “I can hardly wait for Saturday night. Start the clock. Tick-tock, tick-tock.” T-minus 124 hours 45 minutes till Ramirez-Imam enter the ring, Saturday night . . .

“Yes sir, March 17 is a big day for me and the stakes are real high for both me and him. It’s the first time I get to fight in the Garden and that’s exciting, knowing that greatness has fought there. It’s the first time I am fighting in a main event and first time fighting for a world title,” said Imam. “It’s what I have been working for my whole life and it’s finally here and I’ve got to take advantage of it.

“He’s kind of tall and long just like me, so it’s like seeing each other in the mirror so it is going to be real interesting and it’s going to be an electrifying fight.”

“Ramirez is a tough fighter – a real tough fighter and we know what we’ve got to do to win this fight. If a knockout comes I will take advantage of it but I am not going in there looking for a straight knockout. I have to fight real hard and get the rounds under my belt just in case. He’s been aggressive but he may not come out aggressive – you never know. I just have to be smart in the ring and adjust to things he will be doing.”

“I can definitely match his power, I can box when I have to, and I can fight. I can do a lot of things. I can do whatever it takes to get the W. A lot of fighters these days can’t do that – they are one-dimensional fighters. If I have to box or if I have to slug I can do it. I think I am the toughest guy in the 140-pund division.

“I can just hear them saying “The New.”

Ramírez vs. Imam will headline a spectacular St. Patrick’s Day boxing extravaganza, The Ramírez – Imam world championship fight will be televised live and exclusively at 8 p.m. EDT on ESPN and stream live on the ESPN App at 6 p.m. EDT. It will mark the first time Arum and King have battled each other promotionally on the same card since Miguel Cotto defended his World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight world title on March 12, 2011.

Promoted by Top Rank®, and Don King Productions, in association with Madison Square Garden, tickets to the Ramírez – Imam world championship event are priced at $206, $156, $106, $81, $56 and $31, and can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008), and online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.msg.com

For more information visit: www.toprank.com,www.espn.com/boxing;
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Use the hashtags #RamirezImam to join the conversation on Twitter.

It was a battle of undefeated junior welterweights, but Jose Ramirez showed he was a cut above Mike Reed as he scored a 2nd round stoppage in round 2 of their scheduled 12-round bout in front of over 13,000 fans at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

Ramirez came out firing as he landed hard shots to the body in round one. In round two, he continued his assault and dropped Reed after a barrage of punches. Reed was hurt, and Ramirez jumped on him by continuing to land hard shots and referee Jack Reiss jumped in at stopped the fight.

Ramirez of Avenal, CA is 21-0 with 16 knockouts. Reed of Waldorf, MD is 23-1.

Artur Beterbiev won the IBF Light Heavyweight title with a 12th round stoppage of Enrico Kolling.

Beterbiev dominated the action and won every round as he systematically beat down Kolling. Beterbiev scored a knockdown in round 12 with a hard flurry on the ropes. Beaten and battered, Kolling then took some more vicious shots that was capped off with a right to the head that sent Kolling down again, and the fught was stopped at 2:33 of round 12.

The dominance was shown in the punch stats as Beterbiev landed 322-1111 punches while Kolling was 64-252.

Beterbiev, 174.6 lbs of Montreal is 12-0 with 12 knockouts. Kolling of Germany is 19-2.

Alex Saucedo blitzed Gustavo Vittori in round three of his scheduled ten round junior welterweight bout.

In round two, Saucedo was cut over the right eye from a headbutt. In round three, a left hook put Vittori to the canvas. Seconds later a right hand put Vittori on his knees. Saucedo finished the night with a perfect left hook to the jaw and Vittori dropped on his back and the bout was stopped at 1:16.

Saucedo of Oklahoma City, OK is now 26-0 with 16 knockouts. Vittori of Concordia, ARG is 20-3-1.

Maxim Dadashev stopped Clarence Booth in round four of their scheduled eight-round junior welterweight bout.

In round four, Booth was deducted a point for spitting out his mouthpiece. Later in the round, Dadashev landed a hard combination of punches and the fight was stopped at 1:20.

Dadashev, 141 lbs of Oxnard, CA is 9-0 with eight knockouts. Booth, 140 lbs of Auburndale, FL is 15-4.

Even Torres scored an upset as he won a four-round split decision over previously undefeated Quilisto Madera in a middleweight bout.

Torres took took cards 39-37. Madera took a card 39-37.

Torres, 162 lbs of El Paso, TX is 7-5. Madera, 161.5 lbs of Stockton, CA is 7-1.

Amir Imam tuned up for his Junior Welterweight title bout with a stoppage over Johnny Garcia after round five of their scheduled ten-round bout.

Imam, 144 lbs of Davie, Florida is now 20-1 with 17 knockouts. Garcia, 144.5 lbs of Holland. MI is 19-6-1.

Fernando Fuentes won a six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Vislan Dalkhaev in a featherweight bout.

In round five, Fuentes dropped Dalkhaev with a right hand.

Fuentes, 124 lbs of Riverside, CA won by scores of 60-53, 59-54 and 58-55, and is now 14-7-1. Dalkhaev, 123.5 lbs of Montreal, CAN is 9-1.

Brian Lua remained undefeated by winning a four-round unanimous decision over Eric Rodriguez in a lightweight bout.

Lua scored a knockdown in the last minute of the fight.

Lua won by scores of 40-35 on all cards.

Lua of Madera, CA is 2-0. Rodriguez of Los Angeles was making his pro debut

FRESNO, CALIF. (October 27, 2017) — Well that escalated quickly! It didn’t take long for undefeated World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas super lightweight champion JOSE RAMÍREZ.to respond to the missive sent his way on Thursday by his upcoming opponent, undefeated Top-10 contender MIKE “Yes Indeed” REED. Reed (23-0, 12 KOs), from Waldorf, MD, is all that stands between Ramírez (20-0, 15 KOs), from Avenal, Calif., and his first world title shot. The WBC has already sanctioned the fight between Ramírez and Amir Imam, world-rated No. 3 and No. 1, respectively, for the vacant WBC super lightweight world title. Scheduled for 10 rounds, the Ramírez – Reed title fight will take place in Ramírez’s backyard, the Save Mart Center at Fresno State and headline “Fight For Water,” an exciting card benefitting the California Latino Water Coalition. It will be televised live and exclusively at 10:30 p.m. EST on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN app. The telecast will also feature top-rated contenders ARTUR BETERBIEV (11-0, 11 KOs), a Russian native who fights out of Montréal, Québec, Canada, and ENRICO KÖELLING (23-1, 6 KOs), of Berlin, Germany, battling for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight title.

On Thursday, Reed not only boasted that he would defeat Ramirez in front of the 2012 U.S. Olympians hometown fans, but said it would be a victory so definitive that the WBC would be forced to mandate that Reed take the title shot against Imam. Here are the responses from Team Ramirez:

“Ever since I started boxing at age eight, I never said “no” to a fight.,” said Ramírez. “I’m excited to fight another undefeated fighter like Mike Reed. I hope he brings the best out of me, because when he does he will quickly realize he is in for a fight. I have a lot of faith in my skills and I have been training extremely hard for this fight. I’m extremely focused and really want to make a statement. I will be more than ready on November 11th. I’m honored to be able to showcase my talent on a big stage like ESPN. God willing, November 11th will be a great night of boxing for the fans in attendance and the fans watching the fight at home.”

“I watched Mike in the amateurs for a few years and through the pros. He always was a good fighter, very very solid from day one. I disagree with his comments of being ready for Ramirez coming forward and there being ways to so easily counter it. It’s like saying you’re ready for a hurricane because you know it’s coming forward while you stand on the beach with your “plan.” Mike has never been hit by a hurricane or anyone in his career like Jose,” said Rick Mirgian, Ramírez’s manager and advisor. “I’m very aware of Reed calling out Ramirez time and time again the past couple years. I commend Top Rank’s matchmakers Bruce Trampler and Brad Goodman for their deep compassion of Reed’s safety those couple years, as long as they could. But when Bruce or Brad has to give Reed one of their kidney’s or a liver after this fight then one of them is going to be very grumpy at the office and I don’t want to see Brad grumpy, that’s for sure. Ramirez never waited to sign or took his time to fight Reed. Ramirez had just agreed to fight five-time World Champion Tim Bradley right before Reed was offered this fight. Like Bradley and every person before placed in front of him, Jose has never said “no” to a fight at anytime.”

“I hope Mike ‘He’s In Need’ Reed knows how to swim because Jose is going to take him into deep water on November 11,” said Ramírez’s Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. “Since Reed is from Washington, D.C., let me make him a campaign promise: “Reed Jose’s fists. No new champion on November 11.”

CLINTON. MD (October 26, 2017) — Undefeated Top-10 contender MIKE “Yes Indeed” REED loves home cooking and on Saturday, November 11, he is looking forward to digging into several servings at the expense of his opponent World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas super lightweight champion JOSE RAMÍREZ. Reed (23-0, 12 KOs), from Waldorf, MD, is all that stands between Ramírez (20-0, 15 KOs), from Avenal, Calif., and his first world title shot. The WBC has already sanctioned the fight between Ramírez and Amir Imam, world-rated No. 3 and No. 1, respectively, for the vacant WBC super lightweight world title. Scheduled for 10 rounds, the Ramírez – Reed title fight will take place in Ramírez’s backyard, the Save Mart Center at Fresno State and headline “Fight For Water,” an exciting card benefitting the California Latino Water Coalition. It will be televised live and exclusively at 10:30 p.m. EST on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN app. The telecast will also feature top-rated contenders ARTUR BETERBIEV (11-0, 11 KOs), a Russian native who fights out of Montréal, Québec, Canada, and ENRICO KÖELLING (23-1, 6 KOs), of Berlin, Germany, battling for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight title.

“I don’t just want a victory over Ramirez, I want his spot in the world title fight against Imam,” declared Reed.

Reed had first called out Ramírez, a 2012 U.S. Olympian with a sterling amateur pedigree, after defeating Luis Gonzalez at Madison Square Garden on June 13, 2015. Upon leaving the ring, he told all who would listen. “Get me Ramirez. I don’t care if the fight is in Fresno. It doesn’t matter.”

Hall of Fame matchmaker Bruce Trampler had this to say when the fight was announced: “In an era when many fighters wait for chances instead of creating opportunities for themselves, Mike Reed is a throwback to road warriors of the past. He was offered a match with plenty at stake and sent his signed contract back Top Rank immediately. Jose Ramirez deliberated for days over facing undefeated Reed, even on his own home turf. That speaks volumes about each fighter.”

Born in Washington, D.C., Reed trains in Clinton, MD, at Dream Team Boxing Gym, which is owned and operated by his father, trainer, and manager, Michael “Buck” Pinson.

“This is a fight I’ve been asking Top Rank to make and now it is here. I’ve knew Jose Ramirez when we were amateur fighters boxing in the big tournaments. He always fought a weight division below me but I always kept an eye on him,” Reed continued. “Ramirez is a pressure fighter. He has a great left hook. I give him credit for that. Sooner or later in our fight, Jose will move towards me and that is exactly what I want to happen. I want him to get real close on the inside so we can do some serious damage. There are methods to counter and avoid his left hook — and he throws it well to the head and the body — but when you see Jose moving towards me — and he will, I promise — that’s when I will get to work. I know he has Freddie Roach.. Good for him. But this fight will be decided inside the ring — just Jose and me — and no one else. Just the two of us.”

Promoted by Top Rank®, remaining tickets to this world championship event are priced at $150 (floor), $88, $58 and $33, plus applicable fees. Tickets may be purchased at select Save Mart Supermarkets, online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 800 or at the Save Mart Center Box Office. For the Box Office hours go to savemartcenter.com.

Another sellout is expected on November 11. The previous Top Rank events at the Save Mart Center, headlined by Ramírez, produced a sellout of 13,700 last December, and 13,100 in 2015.

One of the most prestigious arenas in America, ‘Venues Today,’ a leading industry publication, listed the Save Mart Center among its ‘Top Stops’ for venues in the 10,000 to 15,000 capacity category. The venue came in as the No. 1 ranked collegiate venue, No. 4 in the U.S. and No. 12 based on concert grosses. Save Mart Center was one of seven SMG-managed arenas to rank in the Top 10 in this size category.

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 @ESPNDeportes.

FRESNO, CALIF. (September 14, 2017) – World championship boxing comes to Fresno. Undefeated champions JESSIE MAGDALENO and JOSE RAMIREZ will headline “Fight For Water,” an exciting card benefiting the California Latino Water Coalition. Magdaleno and Ramirez, world-rated No. 5, will be defending their World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior featherweight and World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas super lightweight titles, respectively. Both fights, and the ARTUR BETERBIEV – ENRICO KOELLING International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight title elimination bout, will take place Saturday, November 11 at Save Mart Center at Fresno State. Magdaleno (25-0, 18 KOs), from Las Vegas, Nev., will be defending his title against No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger CESAR JUAREZ (20-5, 15 KOs), from Mexico City. Local favorite and farmer rights activist Ramirez (20-0, 15 KOs), of Avenal, Calif., will be risking his title and his world rating against Top-10 contender MIKE “Yes Indeed” REED (23-0, 12 KO), of Waldorf, MD

All three fights will be televised live and exclusively at 10:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN app.

Promoted by Top Rank®, tickets to this world championship event go on sale Tomorrow! Friday, September 15, at 10 a.m. PT. Priced at $150 (floor), $88, $58 and $33, plus applicable fees, tickets may be purchased at select Save Mart Supermarkets, online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 800 or at the Save Mart Center Box Office. For the Box Office hours go to savemartcenter.com.

“A great fight inside and outside the ring,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “Jessie and Jose are going to light it up on November 11 because that’s the only way they know how to perform. Fresno is one of my favorite places to watch a fight because the fans are so great. And you can’t fight for a better cause than for the water rights of the Central Valley farmers. They are America!”

“Now that my first title defense is under my belt I am even more inspired to work hard every day and remain a world champion,” said Magdaleno. “Juarez is not only my mandatory challenger he is the next obstacle in establishing my legacy in the sport. I don’t go around obstacles. I go through them.”

“I’m ready to show the world how hard I have worked and trained for this moment,” said Ramirez. “And to do it at home for my city — to bring awareness to our immigration issues and to get the Temperance Flat dam built for water storage, makes it that much more important to me,” said Ramirez.

“Jose is headlining the largest televised sporting event in our city’s history,” said Rick Mirgian, Ramirez’s advisor. “The combination of ESPN’s coverage in a Top-10 Arena and a homecoming fight for a local hero on the big stage will make this a very special night.”

The previous Top Rank events at the Save Mart Center, headlined by Jose produced a sellout of 13,700 last December, and 13,100 in 2015.

One of the most prestigious arenas in America, ‘Venues Today,’ a leading industry publication, listed the Save Mart Center among its ‘Top Stops’ for venues in the 10,000 to 15,000 capacity category. The venue came in as the No. 1 ranked collegiate venue, No. 4 in the U.S. and No. 12 based on concert grosses. Save Mart Center was one of seven SMG-managed arenas to rank in the Top 10 in this size category.

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
@ESPNDeportes.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, undefeated Jose Ramrez will battle Gabriel Bracero on December 2nd on Unimas in Fresno, California.

“As Jose moves up the ladder to a world championship fight, his opponents will be getting better and the fights will be more difficult,” Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said. “But Top Rank believes Jose Ramirez will win a world title and bring it home to the Central Valley. To do that, he first has to get past Gabriel Bracero.”

“Gabe’s a much better fighter than a lot of people give him credit for,” said Lou DiBella, his promoter. “He has failed when he’s stepped up but he had his moments against Diaz and Malignaggi. He’s a tough guy. Ramirez is a good fighter but he’s untested. This is a test for the kid. It’s going to be a good scrap. It’s a good opportunity for Gabe and for the kid to test himself against a real opponent.”

“I’m happy that Bob and I were able to do things together,” DiBella said. “Bob and I talk regularly again and I think it’s good we can do some smaller stuff together, and I hope it’s a precursor to doing some bigger stuff together.”

Jose Ramirez stopped Thomas Mendez in round four of their scheduled eight round junior welterweight bout at the Tachi Palcace in Lemore, California.

Ramirez dropped Mendez twice in round one. Ramirez finished Mendez off with a big flurry of punches that sent Mendez to the corner and the bout was stopped at 52 seconds.

Ramirez of Avenal, CA is 18-0 with 13 knockouts. Mendez is 22-8.

Andy Vences remained undefeated by winning ab eight round unanimous decision over Moises Delgadillo in a super featherweight bout.

Vences, 131 lbs of San Jose, California won by scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 and is now 16-0. Delgadillo is 17-15-2.

Ernesto Martinez scored a 19 second knockout over Joe Louie Lopez in a scheduled eight round super middleweight bout.

Martinez drilled Lopez with a right hand that sent him to the canvas. Lopez got to his feet but he was wobbily and the fight was stopped.

Martinez of San Diego is 12-10-1 with six knockouts, Lopez, 167 3/4 lbs of Fresno, CA is 8-1.

LOS ANGELES (March 22, 2016) – Undefeated contenders GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ, ÓSCAR VALDEZ and JOSE RAMÍREZ, former world champion EVGENY GRADOVICH and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum hosted a Los Angeles Media Workout on Tuesday at Fortune Gym. The fighters worked out and discussed their upcoming championship fights on the Manny Pacquiao – Timothy Bradley NoTrump pay-per-view undercard (http://lat.ms/1o41mcT).

GILBERTO RAMIREZ
“This is my time. I have a lot of respect for Arthur Abraham. He’s a great champion. I know he’s working hard in training camp as am I. It’s going to be a great fight. I have to be smart in this fight. We are working on keeping the pressure on Abraham by throwing high volumes of punches and staying on top of him. I’m going to be a second skin on him. I feel a great sense of history fighting to become Mexico’s first super middleweight champion. It is a great honor representing my country in this fight. All I am thinking about is April 9. Looking past this fight is meaningless. The future is now.”

ÓSCAR VALDEZ
“My vast amateur background has prepared me to adapt to many different boxing styles. Gradovich is a breakthrough opportunity for me professionally. A victory over him is a big step that will lead me to a world title shot. I’m not feeling any pressure. I want this fight. I have trained my whole life for this fight. I stand up for The President but Donald Trump doesn’t deserve my respect.”

EVGENY GRADOVICH
“I have I lived and breathed this fight since training camp began. It’s all I have thought of. I’m an old school Mexican-style fighter. I love Julio César Chávez, Juan Manuel Márquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales. I know everyone thinks Valdez is the future star of boxing but I love this sport too much to allow him to beat me and move me down. I’m going to start fast and keep my foot on the gas pedal.”

JOSE RAMÍREZ
“It’s a dream come true fighting on a card headlined by a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley. Millions of people around the world will be watching us fight. It’s what I have dreamed of since I first entered a gym as a boy. The fans from the Central Valley have been very loyal to me and I am very loyal to them. I am proud to represent our common causes that mean so much to the farmers, specifically water issues. I used to be a picker. I picked peppers. I want to help bring a tomorrow to the farmers and their families. Everyone counts. I am honored to be a voice for them. They are not alone. I am a first generation American. I was proud to represent the U.S. in the Olympics because of the ideals that are the foundation of this country. Donald Trump lacks the education to understand this and why those ideals make our country is so. I want to show and share the lesson that you can succeed.”

BOB ARUM
“All these fighters here today need to win and win impressively. They do that and the sky is the limit for them. Zurdo’s skill set and size give him an advantage over Abraham who is a strong, tough fighter. I am very proud of this NoTrump undercard and everything it symbolizes.”

*********************************************

Gilberto Ramirez (33-0, 24 KOs), from Mazatlan, Mexico, co-promoted by Zapari Boxing Promotions, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) No. 1 super middleweight contender and mandatory challenger, will get his first world title shot when he challenges WBO super middleweight champion ARTHUR ABRAHAM (44-4, 29 KOs), of Berlin Germany. Valdez (19-0, 16 KOs), of Nogales, Mexico, the WBO’s No. 1 featherweight contender, will defend his NABO featherweight title against former International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight champion Gradovich (21-1-1, 9 KOs), a Russian native who lives in Oxnard, Calif. Jose Ramírez (16-0, 12 KOs), of Avenal, Calif., and a 2012 U.S. Olympian, will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental America super lightweight title against MANNY PEREZ (25-11-1, 6 KOs), of Denver, CO.

These six warriors boast a combined record of 158-16-2 (96 KOs) — a winning percentage of 90% — with a victory by knockout ratio of 61%.

HBO Sports presents LEGACY ON THE LINE: FROM BRADLEY TO PACQUIAO. Chronicling the lessons and controversies Bradley has endured in his high-profile rivalry with the boxing legend from the Philippines, the special debuts THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 26 (midnight-12:30 a.m. ET/PT) and is narrated by Liev Schreiber.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, the Pacquiao vs. Bradley world championship event will take place on Saturday, April 9, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT. The Abraham vs. Ramirez world championship fight will be co-promoted by Sauerland Event and Zapari Boxing Promotions.

Remaining Tickets to Pacquiao vs. Bradley world championship event are priced at $1,204, $804, $604, $404, $254 and $154, not including applicable service fees. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available for purchase at mgmgrand.com or ticketmaster.com.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, www.hbo.com/boxing or www.mgmgrand.com on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #PacBradley to join the conversation on Twitter.

LAS VEGAS, NV (February 10, 2016) — Cinco de Mayo comes one month early with the Manny Pacquiao – Timothy Bradley welterweight championship pay-per-view undercard, which will feature four Hispanic contenders in three title fights. Co-promoted by Sauerland Event and Zapari Boxing Promotions, World Boxing Organization (WBO) super middleweight champion “King” ARTHUR ABRAHAM of Berlin, Germany, will defend his world title against undefeated WBO No. 1 super middleweight contender with the matinee idol looks and mandatory challenger GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ of Mazatlan, Mexico, in the co-main event. The undercard will also feature undefeated No. 1 WBO featherweight contender ÓSCAR VALDEZ of Nogales, Mexico, defending his NABO featherweight title against former International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight champion EVGENY GRADOVICH. The pay-per-view telecast will open with JOSE RAMÍREZ of Avenal, Calif., risking his undefeated record and World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas super lightweight title against seasoned veteran MANNY PEREZ of Denver, CO.

These six warriors boast a combined record of 158-16-2 (96 KOs) — a winning percentage of 90% — with a victory by knockout ratio of 61%.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with MP Promotions, the Pacquiao vs. Bradley championship event will take place on Saturday, April 9, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

Remaining Tickets to Pacquiao vs. Bradley are priced at $1,204, $804, $604, $404, $254 and $154, not including applicable service fees. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will also be available for purchase at mgmgrand.com or ticketmaster.com.

“Fighting in Las Vegas on the biggest stage of them all is a dream come true for me, and sharing the spotlight with Manny Pacquiao, a true legend of the ring, makes this opportunity even sweeter,” said Abraham. “I have all the motivation I need including the challenge of a young hungry fighter in Gilberto Ramirez. I respect Ramirez and see him as one of the toughest challenges in my career, but I will not be denied a victory in my U.S. breakout fight, and believe my experience will prove too much for him. I promise to deliver a great fight for the American fans, and with another successful defense of my title I will pave the way for a great pay-per-view event and leave the fans screaming for more!”

“I am very happy to finally get my first opportunity to fight for a world title,” said Gilberto Ramirez. “I have worked very hard to get to this point and will work even harder to win the world championship on April 9. I am going up against a great champion and that is why I will prepare myself like I never have before for a fight.”

“I am happy to fight on April 9, I have a difficult opponent on that night but the plan is to get a win and get myself closer to that world title shot that I hunger for,” said Valdez.

“This is going to be an exciting great battle,” said Gradovich. “Óscar Valdez is a very good fighter and I look forward to getting into the ring against him on such a big card with Manny Pacquiao against Tim Bradley in the main event on April 9.”
“I’m excited and honored and feel blessed for this opportunity for myself and my team on one of boxing’s biggest stages,” said Jose Ramírez. “I will be ready for the fans worldwide and I want thank to my manager Rick Mirigian for getting it done.”

“I am very excited for this opportunity from Top Rank. It’s a dream come true to be able to showcase my abilities on such a main stage,” said Perez. “I promise boxing fans I will be 100% ready for the matchup with Jose. I’m ready to show the world who I am.”

“On April 9 we will be presenting three of the top fighters in the world today engaging in significant bouts. All three are of Mexican origin and represent the future of the sport of boxing.

“Jose Ramírez, a star from the Central Valley in California, will box in his first 10-round bout. He is immensely popular in the Central Valley area and is a tremendous attraction at the gate.

“Óscar Valdez, a two-time Mexican Olympian, is considered to be one of the finest fighters in the world. He is in a crossroads fight against former world champion Evgeny Gradovich which will be a true test.

“Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, the No. 1 super middleweight contender in the world, will fight against long-time champion Arthur Abraham. Gilberto is on a quest to become the first Mexican to win a world championship in this weight division.

“These three fights are all action, complementing the Pacquiao vs Bradley main event which should also be a tremendous battle,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank.

Abraham (44-4, 29 KOs), of Berlin, Germany, is a three-time, two-division world champion. He captured the vacant IBF middleweight world title in 2005 knocking out Kingsley Ikeke in the fifth round. He successfully defended the title 11 times during his four-year reign, which included victories over top-rated contenders Shannan Taylor, Kofi Jantuah, Edison Miranda and former world champion Raul Marquez. Abraham vacated the title in 2009 to move up to the super middleweight division. He dethroned Robert Stieglitz in 2012 via a 12-round unanimous decision to claim the WBO super middleweight title and ending Stieglitz’s three-year reign. After losing the title in his second defense, a 2013 rematch to Stieglitz, Abraham reclaimed the title in 2014, again winning a 12-round unanimous decision over Stieglitz. Abraham has successfully defended the title five times, including a sixth-round TKO of Stieglitz last year.

Ramirez (33-0, 24 KOs), a two-fisted super middleweight wrecking machine who hails from Mazatlan, Mexico, is the top world-rated contender in the WBO and the World Boxing Association (WBA) and is world-rated No. 2 by the WBC. A sensational young contender, Ramirez, 24, has won four of his last seven bouts by knockout. 2014 featured career-best performances which included an NABF and NABO title victory over Giovanni Lorenzo via fifth-round stoppage, a WBO International title knockout victory over Junior Talipeau and a successful defense of his NABF and WBO International titles, stopping Fulgencio Zuniga in the eighth round. Last year he successfully defended his titles via unanimous decisions over once-beaten Maxim Vlasov, division gate keeper Derek Edwards, who boasts a KO victory over world champion Badou Jack, and once-beaten Gevorg Khatchikian, who had scored knockouts in five of his last six victories.

Valdez (19-0, 16 KOs), who represented Mexico in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, was the first Mexican fighter to qualify for two Olympic games and is considered one of the bright lights of the featherweight division and a top prospect in boxing. On the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao – Timothy Bradley welterweight world championship rematch in 2014, Valdez captured the NABF super featherweight junior title, knocking out Adrian Perez in the fourth round. Valdez successfully defended that title twice in 2014, knocking out Noel Echevarria and Alberto Gonzalez in the sixth and seventh rounds, respectively. From Nogales, Sonora, Mexico Valdez, at age 25, Valdez returns to the ring looking to build on the sterling year he had in 2015 where he won all four of his fights — three by knockout. On April 11, he fashioned a third-round blasting of Jose Ramirez in Laredo, Texas. Valdez followed that with his live HBO debut, winning a dominant 10-round unanimous decision over one-time world title challenger Ruben Tamayo on June 27 in Carson, Calif. He ended the year with knockout victories of top-10 contender and one-time world title challenger Chris Avalos and Ernes Sanchez on September 11 and December 12, respectively. The four fighters boasted a combined record of 91-19-5. He is currently the WBO’s No. 1 world-rated featherweight contender.

Gradovich (21-1-1, 9 KOs), a native of Igrim, Russia, fights out of Oxnard, Calif., under the tutelage Robert Garcia, the Boxing Writers Association of America 2012 Trainer of the Year. Known as “El Ruso Mexicano” (The Mexican Russian) for his fan-friendly all-offensive style of fighting, Gradovich captured the IBF featherweight title when he dethroned defending champion Billy Dib in 2013 via a split decision. The exciting fight was televised by ESPN2 which garnered Gradovich legions of new fans. He successfully defended his title four times during his two-year reign, including a ninth-round stoppage of Dib in their rematch, before losing his title last May to Lee Selby via an eighth-round technical decision due to an accidental clash of heads that produced a
deep and bloody gash over Gradovich’s right eye which forced an early stoppage of the fight. The scorecards to that point were in favor of the challenger who became the new world champion. Gradovich has bounced back since that disappointing loss, winning 10-round decisions over Aldimar Santos and Jesus Galicia.

Ramírez (16-0, 12 KOs), from Avenal, Calif. is trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach and will prepare for this fight as a sparring partner for Pacquiao. Eight of his last 10 fights have ended with knockout victories. His social activism on behalf of the Central Valley farmers’ water rights has made him an icon in that area where he regularly sells out their largest venues as a fight card headliner. In his last fight, in December, he captured the vacant WBC Continental Americas super lightweight title, winning a unanimous decision over battle-tested Johnny Garcia. A member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team and an 11-time National Amateur Champion, Ramírez surpassed multi-division world champions Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Shane Mosley to become USA Boxing’s all-time lightweight record holder.

Perez (25-11-1, 6 KOs), from Denver, CO., is a former NABA super lightweight and WBC Continental Americas featherweight champion. He makes his 2016 debut having won five of his last six fights, including all three of his 2015 fights. Two of his 2015 victories were by knockout, including a sixth-round stoppage of former world champion DeMarcus Corley.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, www.hbo.com/boxing or www.mgmgrand.com on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #PacBradley to join the conversation on Twitter.

LAS VEGAS, NV (February 3, 2016) — Before they enter the ring for their super brawls, World Boxing Organization (WBO) super middleweight world champion ARTHUR ABRAHAM, undefeated contenders GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ, ÓSCAR VALDEZ and JOSE RAMÍREZ, former world champion EVGENY GRADOVICH, and dangerous veteran MANNY PEREZ took time out to make predictions on Super Bowl 50, which will pit the Denver Broncos against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, February 7. The six fighters will be featured in title fights on the Manny Pacquiao – Timothy Bradley world welterweight championship pay-per-view undercard, Saturday, April 9, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with MP Promotions, the Pacquiao vs. Bradley world championship event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT. Abraham vs. Gilberto Ramirez will be co-promoted by Sauerland Event and Zapari Boxing Promotions.

THE PREDICTIONS

ARTHUR ABRAHAM
“I like the Denver Broncos‘ chances to win Super Bowl 50, I like them a lot! Peyton Manning is one of the all-time greats, the oldest quarterback to lead a team to a Super Bowl berth. With his experience in clutch-time situations, he cannot be denied winning his third championship ring. I n addition, the Broncos have had THE best defense all season long, knowing how to penetrate the opposing team for errors. That could be compared to my style of boxing. And nine out of 10 times, a good defense beats a good offense in championships. Watch the Broncos prevail 24 – 17 against Cam Newton’s Panthers.”

GILBERTO RAMIREZ
“The Panthers have an explosive offense and a very strong defense. Carolina 28 to 21.”

ÓSCAR VALDEZ
“Panthers 30-10 because Denver beat my favorite team, the New England Patriots.”

EVGENY GRADOVICH
“It’s all about the defense as Carolina will quickly find out. Denver Broncos 28-21”

JOSE RAMÍREZ
“Panthers because of their momentum. Their confidence as a team and their Quarterback, “Super” Cam Newton, started strong during the season and seem to get stronger. Final score will be Carolina 24-17″.

MANNY PEREZ
“No. 1 Defense vs. No. 1 Offense. Defense wins games. Denver Broncos 24 to 10.”

Gilberto Ramirez (33-0, 24 KOs), from Mazatlan, Mexico, the WBO No. 1 super middleweight contender and mandatory challenger, will get his first world title shot when he challenges two-division world champion Abraham (44-4, 29 KOs), of Berlin Germany. Valdez (19-0, 16 KOs), of Nogales, Mexico, the WBO’s No. 1 featherweight contender, will defend his NABO featherweight title against former International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight champion Gradovich (21-1-1, 9 KOs), a Russian native who lives in Oxnard, Calif. Jose Ramírez (16-0, 12 KOs), of Avenal, Calif., and a 2012 U.S. Olympian, will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental America super lightweight title against Perez (25-11-1, 6 KOs), of Denver, CO.

These six warriors boast a combined record of 158-16-2 (96 KOs) — a winning percentage of 90% — with a victory by knockout ratio of 61%.

********************

Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, boxing’s only eight-division world champion and the reigning Fighter of the Decade, collides with five-time world champion Bradley (33-1-1, 13 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif., in a 12-round world welterweight championship battle.

Remaining Tickets to Pacquiao vs. Bradley world championship event are priced at $1,204, $804, $604, $404, $254 and $154, not including applicable service fees. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also be available for purchase at mgmgrand.com or ticketmaster.com.

For fight updates go to toprank.com, hbo.com/boxing or mgmgrand.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing,, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtags #PacBradley to join the conversation on Twitter.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Jose Ramirez will take on Manuel Perez on the Manny Pacquiao – Timothy Bradley 3 card on April 9 in Las Vegas.

“Jose Ramirez is going into his first appearance on the big stage,” Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said. “He represents the future of boxing. He is the fan favorite in his hometown [near] Fresno, where he is widely known. We now believe he will become very popular among fans throughout the United States and the world.”

“I feel honored and thankful for the opportunity given to me, and I will do my best to give my greatest performance April 9,” Ramirez said.

“Jose is a champion inside and out of the ring, and there will be a ton of people from Fresno who will spend tens of thousands of dollars on tickets alone to see it in person, and many will watch at home as we have been flooded with ticket requests already.”

Jose Ramirez shook off a 2nd round knockdown to win an 8-round unanimous decision over Johnny Garcia at the Save Mart Arena in Fresno, California.

Ramirez was able to come back and win out the rest of the bout and win by scores of 79-73 twice and 77-74.

Ramirez, 140 lbs of Avenal, CA is 16-0. Garcia, 139 3/4 lbs of Holland, MI is 19-4-1.

Jose Louie Lopez remained undefeated by scoring a 2nd round stoppage over Dave Courchaine in a scheduled 4-round Super Middleweight bout.

In round two, Lopez dropped Courchaine with a right to the top of the head. Courchaine got to his feet, but not for long as Lopez dropped Courchaine again with a three-punch combination and the fight was stopped at 2:32.

Lopez of Fresno, CA. is now 7-0. Courchaine is 2-7.

Amir Khan made his claim to be a possible Floyd Mayweather opponent by scoring an emphatic 12-round unanimous decision over Devon Alexander in a battle of multi-division former world champions at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Khan, 147 lbs of Bolton, England won by scores of 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110 and is now 30-3. Alexander, 147 lbs of St. Louis, MO is now 26-3.

Keith Thurman retained the WBA Interim Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Leonard Bundu

In round one, Thurman dropped Bundu with a left hand. Thurman was never challenged the rest of the night.

Thurman oulanded Bundu 189-62.

Thurman, 146 1/2 lbs of Clearwater, FL won by scores of 120-107 on all cards and is now 24-0-1. Bundu, 146 1/2 lbs of Florence, IT is now 31-1-2.

Abner Mares scored a stoppage after round five in his scheduled 10-round bout with Jose Ramirez in a Super Featherweight bout.

Mares dropped Ramirez in the 1st from a right hand. Mares was cut over his right eye later in the frame. In round five, Mares landed a combination that was finished off by a left hook that sent Ramirez to the canvas. Mares continued to drill Ramirez for the remainder of the round and the bout was stopped in between frames.

Mares of Guadalajara, MX is now 28-1-1 with 15 knockouts. Ramierez of Mexicali, MX is now 24-4-2.

Jermall Charlo scored a 3rd round stoppage over Lenny Botai in a scheduled 12-round IBF Jr. Middleweight elimination bout.

Botai was cut in round two around his left eye. In round three, Charlo landed a left hook that sent Botai to the canvas. Bottai got up at nine but the referee stopped the fight just as Botai’s corner threw in the towel at 39 seconds of round three.

Charlo, 154 lbs of Houston, TX is now 20-0 with 16 knockouts. Botai, 154 lbs of Italy is now 22-3.

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 25, 2014) – With the holiday season fast approaching, boxing fans will have plenty to celebrate at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 13, as the star-studded “ROYAL BATTLE: Khan vs. Alexander” has grown to a quadrupleheader. Added to the previously announced SHOWTIME telecast will be a 10-round featherweight bout featuring former three-division world champion Abner Mares (27-1-1, 14 KOs) against Mexico’s Jose Ramirez (24-3-2, 15 KOs), and opening the live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING portion of the event at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT will be a 12-round IBF Title Elimination bout between unbeaten Jermall Charlo (19-0, 15 KOs) and Italy’s Lenny Bottai (22-2, 9 KOs).

Headlined by the high-stakes 12-round welterweight matchups between British superstar and former unified super lightweight world champion Amir “King” Khan and former two-division world champion Devon Alexander “The Great,” and featuring the interim WBA Welterweight World Championship 12-round title fight between Keith “One Time” Thurman against Leonard “The Lion” Bundu, the live SHOWTIME event will offer a full night of boxing action.

SHOWTIME EXTREME viewers will also be treated to outstanding live action beginning at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), with top 154-pound contender Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo(24-0, 11 KOs) putting his unbeaten record on the line in a 10-round bout against Mario Alberto Lozano (28-5, 20 KOs) and undefeated 2012 United States Olympian Errol Spence Jr. (14-0, 11 KOs) taking on longtime contender “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (24-10-1, 11 KOs) of Greece in an eight-round junior middleweight contest. Plus, the return of former welterweight world champion “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (29-5-2, 22 KOs) against Denver’s Manuel Perez (21-10-1, 4 KOs) will be aired during the SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast.

Rounding out the non-televised card, in an eight-round cruiserweight bout featuring Beibut Shumenov (14-2, 9 KOs) versus Robert Thomas Jr. (14-2-1, 9 KOs) and Tokyo’s Yoshihiro Kamegai (24-2-1, 21 KOs) will face off against San Jose’s Oscar Godoy (13-3, 6 KOs) in an eight-round junior middleweight showdown.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and are priced at $300, $200, $100, and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $50 price range. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Facing off against former world champion Abner Mares will beMazatlan, Mexico native Jose Ramirez, (24-3-2, 15 KOs), who can put himself in the running for a world title shot at 126 pounds with a win on Dec. 13. A professional since 2006, the 27-year-old former WBO International Featherweight World Champion is 3-2 in his last five bouts, a stretch that includes a victory over veteran contender Rey Bautista. Ramirez now makes his home in Oxnard, Calif., where he’s put in an intense training camp for the biggest fight of his career.

Former amateur sensation Jermall Charlo (19-0, 15 KOs) of Houston, Texas has made his presence known in the professional game with all but four of his wins coming by way of knockout. The 24-year-old Charlo is ready to continue to make a statement that he is one of the best junior middleweights in the world when he opens the Dec. 13 telecast against Lenny Bottai. His most recent win, a seventh round technical knockout over Norberto Gonzalez in September has given Charlo the drive to close out the year with a victory and head into 2015 with a world championship in his sights.

On a quest to bring a world championship home to Italy, Livorno’s Lenny “Mangusta” Bottai (22-2, 9 KOs) is a seasoned veteran of European rings, where he has won the Italian, IBO International, IBF International, IBF Intercontinental and WBC Mediterranean Junior Middleweight titles. The only thing missing for the 37-year-old warrior is a world title belt and following seven consecutive victories, four by knockout, he can move one step closer to glory should he upend Charlo.

Winner of nine of his last 11 fights, 27-year-old Mario Alberto “Aguila” Lozano (28-5, 22 KOs) will be a stern test for unbeaten Jermell Charlo on Dec. 13 in Las Vegas. A stellar welterweight contender for several years, the Chihuahua, Mexico native is now putting his skills on display at 154 pounds, where he has recently battled respected contenders Vanes Martirosyan and Charles Hatley. But to set the stage for a title run, Lozano must dispatch Charlo from the ranks of the unbeaten and end 2014 with a bang.

2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr. (14-0, 11 KOs) has been making a steady climb up the divisional ranks since turning professional. After a shutout win over rugged veteran Ronald Cruz in June and a dominating technical knockout victory over the experienced Noe Bolanos in September, the 24-year-old from Desoto, Texas is primed to take his next big step.

Fresh from his first fight as a professional in his native Greece, a second round knockout of Andrei Staliarchuk in May, Athens’ “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (25-10-2, 12 KOs) will see if 2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr. has what it takes to move to the next level when they collide. A veteran of nearly 14 years in the pro game, the 35-year-old Arnaoutis has battled the likes of Josesito Lopez, Chris Algieri, Danny Garcia and Victor Ortiz in his career, and he still feels he gas plenty left his as he tackles one of boxing’s brightest prospects.

“ROYAL BATTLE: Khan vs. Alexander,” a 12-round welterweight bout for the WBC Silver Welterweight Title, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Khan Promotions and The Great Promotions and is sponsored by Corona Extra, AT&T and Mexico – Live It To Believe It! The event will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. and will air on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT). In the co-main event, Keith Thurman defends his interim WBA Welterweight World Title against Leonard Bundu. Additionally, Abner Mares will face Jose Ramirez in a 10-round featherweight bout and opening the telecast, Jermall Charlo will meet Lenny Bottai in a 12-round IBF Junior Middleweight Title eliminator. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will be televised on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT).

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing,@SHOSports, @AmirKingKhan, @TheRealDevonA, @KeithfThurmanJr, @abnermares00, @FutureOfBoxing, @TwinCharlo, @ErrolSpenceJr @viciousortiz, @MGMGrand and @Swanson_Comm follow the conversation using #KhanAlexander, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing, or visit SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com/.

Follow all the action as undefeated WBO Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley defends his title against four-division world champion and legend, Juan Manuel Marquez. The action begins at 9pm est / 6 pm pac with a 3 fight undercard featuring Orlando Salido battling Orlando Cruz for the vacant WBO featherweight title. 2 time Olympic Gold Medal winner Vasyl Lomachenko makes his much anticipated pro debut against Jose Ramirez. The show kicks off with a Light Heavyweight scrap between undefeated Seanie Monaghan and Anthony Caputo Smith.

12 ROUNDS–WBO WELTERWEIGHT TITLE–TIMOTHY BRADLEY (30-0, 12 KO’S) VS JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ (55-6-1, 40 KO’S)

Round 1 Marquez lands a left and uppercut..good left hook…Bradley lands a good body shot..10-9 Marquez

Round 2 Bradley lands a body shot..Counter hook..Hard right…left to the body..Jab..Left hook..nig right at the bell..19-19

Round 3 Bradley lands a left hook and left to the body..Counter right from Marquez..Bradley lands a left hook..Left from Marquez..Counter from Bradley..29-28 Bradley

Round 4 Bradley lands a right counter…Hard right drives Bradley back..
Bradley lands a jab and right to body from Marquez..1-2 from Bradley..39-37 Bradley

Round 5 Good left from Bradley..Marquez lands a right..Marquez lands 2 body punches..Right from Bradley after he flashed the jab..Good action with Marquez posing at the end of the round…48-47 Bradley

Round 6 Hard right from Bradley..Counter left from Marquez…good left hook..Bradley lands a left hook…Bradley lands a jab..Marquez lands a hard right..Bradley counters with a right..Bradley working the jab..58-56 Bradley

Round 7 Good jab and right by Bradley…68-65 Bradley

Round 8 Good left from Marquez..Hard right..Uppercut from Bradley..Good left hook..Marquez lands a body shot..body shot…right…77-75 Bradley

Round 9 Marquez lands a right..Hard right from Bradley..trading shots..Hard left lands for Marquez and right stuns Bradley…86-85 Bradley

Round 10 Hard rights rocks Marquez..good right..96-94 Bradley

Round 11 Bradley works the body..Marquez lands a left to the body…Marquez throwing and missing…106-103

Round 12 Hard right from Marquez..a little left to the head..Marquez lands a right..The two trade with Bradley landing a left that made Marquez stumbled at the bell…116-112 BRADLEY

115-113 MARQUEZ; 115-113 BRADLEY; 116-112 BRADLEY—BRADLEY WINS SPLIT DECISON

12 ROUNDS–WBO FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE–ORLANDO SALIDO (39-12-2, 27 KO’S) VS ORLANDO CRUZ (20-2-1, 10 KO’S)

Round 1 not much of anything...10-10

Round 2 Salido lands a body shot..good right and left..Good right hook from Cruz..20-19 Salido

Round 3 Salido lands an uppercut…Cruz lands a hook/..Hard right from Salido…Salido lands about his 4th low blow…Uppercut from Cruz…30-28 Salido

Round 4 Hard right from Salido..hard right..2 more rights..Combination from Cruz..Hard right from Salido and a combination..Good straight left from Cruz..40-37 Salido

Round 5 Cruz lands a right and a combination…49-47 Salido

Round 6 Hard over hand right from Salido…right 59-56 Salido

Round 7 HARD RIGHT AND LEFT UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES CRUZ…AND THE FIGHT IS OVER

10 ROUNDS–FEATHERWEIGHTS–VASYL LOMACHENKO (PD) VS JOSE RAMIREZ (25-3, 15 KO’S)

ROUND 1 Lomachenko LANDS A RIGHT TO THE BODY AND DOWN GOES RAMIREZ…10-8 Lomachenko

Round 2 Great combination from Lomachenko..Chants of MEXICO…MEXICO from the Crowd…Terrific combination..20-17 Lomachenko

Round 3 Lomachemko lands a good left at the bell…30-26 Lomachenko

Round 4 HUGE BODY SHOT AND DOWN GOES RAMIREZ…FIGHT IS OVER

LOMACHENKO TKO 4 –2:59

10 ROUNDS–LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS–SEANIE MONAGHAN (18-0, 11 KO’S) VS ANTHONY CAPUTO SMITH (14-1, 10 KO’S)

Round 1 Monaghan lands a combination…10-9 Monaghan

Round 2 Smith lands a left hook…Monaghan lands an overhand right…trading uppercuts inside..Monaghan lands 3 uppercuts…good body shot..20-18 Monaghan

Round 3 Good right from Monaghan..Full brawl breaking out with Monaghan getting better…Monaghan drilling Smith with hard shots and FINALLY TONY WEEKS STOPS THE BOUT

MONAGHAN WINS VIA TKO 3 (2:39)

Timothy Bradley 146 – Juan Manuel Marquez 144.5
Orlando Salido 126 – Orlando Cruz 125
Jose Ramirez 126.5 – Vasyl Lomachenko 125
Seanie Monaghan 174 – Anthony Caputo Smith 175.5
Trevor McCumby ???? – Eric Watkins 175
Giovanni Caro ???? – Jun Doliguez 126
Alberto Herrera 147.5 – Mikael Zewski 147.5
Kenny Abril 146.5 – Brad Solomon 146.6