Jose Ramirez and Jose Pedraza have agreed to terms for a 140-pound bout on Feb. 5 that will headline Top Rank Boxing on an ESPN platform, sources told ESPN.
The fight pitting top-10 junior welterweights will be held at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California, Ramirez's hometown.
Ramirez, ESPN's No. 2 140-pounder, suffered the first loss of his career in May, a decision defeat to Josh Taylor in a battle for the undisputed 140-pound championship.
The 29-year-old started strong in the toughest test of his career, but knockdowns in Rounds 6 and 7 were the difference. The fight would have been scored a draw, at worst for Ramirez, if he hadn't hit the canvas twice.
Ramirez (26-1, 17 KOs) improved his stock in defeat, and in his comeback fight, he will take on a stern challenge rather than a guaranteed win (a departure from the usual routine in boxing).
Pedraza (29-3, 14 KOs) is a slick boxer from Puerto Rico who once was a titleholder at 130 pounds. The 32-year-old lost that belt via TKO to Gervonta Davis in 2017 and subsequently moved to 135 pounds. He also signed with Top Rank, which rejuvenated his career with a title victory over Ray Beltran in 2018.
He lost that belt to Vasiliy Lomachenko in his next fight before moving up in weight again. Since a decision defeat to Jose Zepeda in 2019, Pedraza has reeled off three consecutive wins and is ranked No. 7 at 140 pounds by ESPN. Now he is on the brink of a third title shot in as many weight classes.
By taking on a tough challenge in his comeback fight, Ramirez will inch closer to a rematch with Taylor and another title shot too. The Mexican American already boasts an impressive résumé, with victories over Viktor Postol, Maurice Hooker and Zepeda.
And with his relentless pressure style meshed with the slick boxing of Pedraza, the matchup could be another thrilling chapter in the boxing rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Last edited by Ruthless-RKO on 28 Jan 2022, 06:48, edited 6 times in total.
Former unified junior welterweight world champion Jose Ramirez will return in front of a raucous home crowd. Ramirez, the pride of California’s Central Valley, will face former two-weight world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza in a 12-round junior welterweight battle Saturday, Feb. 5 at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
In a six-round heavyweight special feature immediately before the main event, Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr., from the Central Valley town of Tulare, California, will make his long-awaited professional debut.
The entire Ramirez-Pedraza card will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+. Undefeated lightweight prospect Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (13-0, 11 KOs), rising junior lightweight Karlos Balderas (11-1, 10 KOs), middleweight prospect Javier “Milwaukee Made” Martinez (5-0, 2 KOs), and 6’9 heavyweight Antonio “El Gigante” Mireles (2-0, 2 KOs) are all slated to appear on the card.
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $36 go on sale Monday, Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. PT and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.
“Jose Ramirez has always demanded the biggest challenges, and he’s back in there with a tough former champion in Jose Pedraza,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “There are few more exciting atmospheres in boxing than when Jose fights in the Central Valley. The fans there love Jose, and he embodies the region’s blue-collar work ethic. I am also delighted that the Central Valley’s next superstar, Richard Torrez Jr., will make his professional debut in front of a sold-out crowd.”
Ramirez (26-1, 17 KOs) returns to the ring for the first time since May’s decision defeat to Josh Taylor for the undisputed junior welterweight title. Ramirez had made four title defenses since winning the WBC crown in 2018, and he unified the WBC and WBO world titles the following year with a knockout win over Maurice Hooker. Ramirez has drawn 65,794 fans through five headlining fight nights at Save Mart Center. When he fought Jose “Chon” Zepeda at Save Mart Center in February 2019, 14,034 fans — an attendance record for boxing in the arena — turned up. Pedraza (29-3, 14 KOs), from Cidra, Puerto Rico, is a former junior lightweight and lightweight world champion who has won three in a row since a decision defeat to Zepeda. He is coming off June's eighth-round knockout over the previously undefeated Julian “Hammer Hands” Rodriguez.
“I am motivated to become world champion once again, and it begins with a tough fight against Pedraza,” Ramirez said. “There are no better fans than the ones who pack the Save Mart Center every time I fight. The Central Valley is my home, and it is always a great honor to perform for my people.”
"This one is personal to Ramírez,” said Rick Mirigian, Ramirez’s manager. “This is the fight that puts him back at the top of the sport and in line for the biggest fights.”
Pedraza said, "The new year will bring a big opportunity to battle against a former world champion like Jose Ramirez. This fight is very important for me because I know this will be the fight that will give me the opportunity to win a world title in a third weight division.
"There is no space for a loss. Not on my record, and much less in my mind. I know that Ramirez is a great fighter and always comes well prepared. He always comes in shape to give the fans a great fight.”
Torrez made history as the first American Olympian to medal in the Super Heavyweight division since Riddick Bowe in 1988. Last month, he signed a long-term professional contract with Top Rank. Torrez was a U.S. National Championships gold medalist in 2017 and 2018, in addition to capturing three U.S. Youth National titles from 2014-2016. He went 154-10 as an amateur, and after a long international career in the unpaid ranks, he returns home for his pro debut.
“I can think of no better place to turn pro than in front of my Central Valley friends and family,” Torrez said. “They’ve supported me my entire amateur career, and I am thrilled that they will see the start of my professional journey. Let’s show everyone what it means to be valley grown!”
Joet Gonzalez, the Southern California featherweight contender who has twice challenged for a world title, is primed for another run at the brass ring. Gonzalez signed a multi-year promotional contract with Top Rank and will return in a 10-round bout against Filipino former world title challenger Jeo Santisima on Saturday, Feb. 5 at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
Gonzalez-Santisima will serve as the co-feature to the 12-round junior welterweight showdown between former unified champion Jose Ramirez and Puerto Rican two-weight world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza.
Ramirez-Pedraza, Gonzalez-Santisima, the heavyweight professional debut of U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr., and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+.
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $36 are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.
“Joet Gonzalez is a fighter of tremendous character and one of the best featherweights in the world. When he became available, it was a no-brainer,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
“My last three fights have been on Top Rank cards, and they’ve always treated me with respect. I can't wait for my official debut under the Top Rank banner,” Gonzalez said. “Jeo is a tough Filipino warrior, and this is a great opportunity to prove I belong in the featherweight title conversation. I want another title shot, and it all starts with an impressive showing in Fresno.”
Gonzalez (24-2, 14 KOs), from Glendora, California, is ranked in the top 10 at featherweight by two sanctioning organizations. He received his first world title shot in October 2019, dropping a unanimous decision to Shakur Stevenson for the vacant WBO featherweight title. Nearly two years later, he challenged Emanuel Navarrete for the same belt, and the two combined for a Fight of the Year contender. While Gonzalez lost a unanimous decision, he proved his mettle as one of the division’s most formidable contenders. He bested Miguel Marriaga over 10 rounds on a Top Rank on ESPN card in between the Stevenson and Navarrete fights.
Santisima (21-3, 18 KOs), from Aroroy, Philippines, lost two of his first four pro bouts before a 17-fight winning streak earned him a shot at Navarrete in February 2020 for the WBO junior featherweight world title. In a high-profile setting on the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder II undercard, Santisima acquitted himself well, ultimately falling via 11th-round TKO. He has won two straight by knockout in his home country since the Navarrete defeat.
Straight back in with a solid contender for Ramirez, no soft tune up after losing to Taylor which is good to see. I fancy a decision win or late stoppage for JCR here.
Press Release | Gabriel Flores vs. Abraham Montoya
Gabriel Flores Jr. is aiming for a fresh start in Fresno. The 21-year-old junior lightweight hopes to bounce back from his first career defeat in a 10-round bout against Mexican veteran Abraham Montoya on Friday, March 4 at Save Mart Center.
Flores and Montoya will do battle underneath the junior welterweight main event between former unified champion Jose Ramirez and two-weight world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza. The entire Ramirez-Pedraza card will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+.
“The mission I’m on is personal, and I will be a world champion,” Flores said. “I am more motivated than ever, and I will have answers for whatever Montoya brings.”
Flores (20-1, 7 KOs), who hails from Stockton, California, will have a sizable cheering section make the roughly two-hour drive to Fresno. Last September in Tucson, Arizona, he suffered his first career defeat, a one-sided unanimous decision loss to Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez. Flores showed his mettle over 10 rounds, fighting back in the face of Lopez’s relentless onslaught. Signed by Top Rank as a 16-year-old, Flores was flawless throughout the first four-plus years of his pro career. In February 2020, he became only the second man to knock out Puerto Rican contender Jayson Velez.
Montoya (20-2-1, 14 KOs), from Mexicali, Mexico, is an eight-year pro with a knack for upsetting undefeated prospects. In March 2018, he bested Luis Alberto Lopez (12-0 at the time) by split decision. Last February, he upset undefeated prospect Alejandro Guerrero by majority decision. He has won two fights since a November 2019 decision defeat to top contender Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov.
Flores Jr. vs. Montoya joins a packed undercard that includes featherweight contender Joet Gonzalez (24-2, 14 KOs) against Jeo Santisima (21-3, 18 KOs) in a 10-rounder, the six-round heavyweight professional debut of U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr., rising junior lightweight Karlos Balderas (11-1, 10 KOs) in an eight-rounder, lightweight prospect Charlie Sheehy (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-rounder, 6’9 heavyweight Antonio “El Gigante” Mireles (2-0, 2 KOs) in a four-rounder, and middleweight prospect Javier “Milwaukee Made” Martinez (5-0, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder.
Press Release | Jose Ramirez battles Jose Pedraza on March 4th in Fresno, California
Jose Ramirez-Jose Pedraza Junior Welterweight Showdown Postponed to Friday, March 4 at Save Mart Center LIVE and Exclusively on ESPN+ – Pedraza tested positive for COVID-19
Heavyweight U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. will make professional debut in a six-round special feature
The homecoming of former unified junior welterweight world champion Jose Ramirez is happening, just 27 days later than expected. Central Valley native Ramirez will fight former two-weight world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza in the 12-round main event Friday, March 4 at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
Ramirez and Pedraza were scheduled to fight Saturday, Feb. 5, but Pedraza tested positive for COVID-19.
In the six-round heavyweight special feature immediately before the main event, Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr., from the Central Valley town of Tulare, California, will make his long-awaited professional debut. The 10-round co-feature will see the Top Rank debut of featherweight contender Joet Gonzalez, who will fight Filipino veteran Jeo Santisima. The entire Ramirez-Pedraza card will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+.
March 4: Gabriel Flores Jr.-Abraham Montoya Junior Lightweight Showdown Added to Ramirez-Pedraza Card at Fresno’s Save Mart Center LIVE on ESPN+
Gabriel Flores Jr. is aiming for a fresh start in Fresno. The 21-year-old junior lightweight hopes to bounce back from his first career defeat in a 10-round bout against Mexican veteran Abraham Montoya on Friday, March 4 at Save Mart Center.
Flores and Montoya will do battle underneath the junior welterweight main event between former unified champion Jose Ramirez and two-weight world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza. The entire Ramirez-Pedraza card will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+.
“The mission I’m on is personal, and I will be a world champion,” Flores said. “I am more motivated than ever, and I will have answers for whatever Montoya brings.”
Flores (20-1, 7 KOs), who hails from Stockton, California, will have a sizable cheering section make the roughly two-hour drive to Fresno. Last September in Tucson, Arizona, he suffered his first career defeat, a one-sided unanimous decision loss to Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez. Flores showed his mettle over 10 rounds, fighting back in the face of Lopez’s relentless onslaught. Signed by Top Rank as a 16-year-old, Flores was flawless throughout the first four-plus years of his pro career. In February 2020, he became only the second man to knock out Puerto Rican contender Jayson Velez.
Montoya (20-2-1, 14 KOs), from Mexicali, Mexico, is an eight-year pro with a knack for upsetting undefeated prospects. In March 2018, he bested Luis Alberto Lopez (12-0 at the time) by split decision. Last February, he upset undefeated prospect Alejandro Guerrero by majority decision. He has won two fights since a November 2019 decision defeat to top contender Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov.
Flores Jr. vs. Montoya joins a packed undercard that includes featherweight contender Joet Gonzalez (24-2, 14 KOs) against Jeo Santisima (21-3, 18 KOs) in a 10-rounder, the six-round heavyweight professional debut of U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr., rising junior lightweight Karlos Balderas (11-1, 10 KOs) in an eight-rounder, lightweight prospect Charlie Sheehy (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-rounder, 6’9 heavyweight Antonio “El Gigante” Mireles (2-0, 2 KOs) in a four-rounder, and middleweight prospect Javier “Milwaukee Made” Martinez (5-0, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder.
Rising Lightweight Star Charlie Sheehy Signs Promotional Contract with Top Rank
Lightweight prospect Charlie Sheehy (1-0, 1 KO), a 23-year-old former Team USA amateur standout from the Bay Area town of Brisbane, California, has signed a multi-year professional contract with Top Rank.
Sheehy, who is managed by Peter Kahn, won 17 national amateur titles. He will make his Top Rank debut in a four-round bout Friday, March 4 on the Jose Ramirez-Jose Pedraza undercard (live on ESPN+) in Fresno, California.
“We’ve had our eyes on Charlie since his amateur days, and we believe he is a young man with the potential to bring championship boxing back to the Bay Area,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
Sheehy said, “I am honored to become part of an organization that has built some of the greatest boxers of all time. This has been a dream of mine since I began boxing. It feels amazing to know that the biggest promotional company in boxing believes in me. I look forward to showing the world my skills and becoming a world champion with Top Rank.”
Sheehy started boxing at eight years old at Fire in the Ring Boxing Club in San Francisco under head trainer Miguel Rios, who is still in his corner. He is preparing for his March 4 bout in South Florida alongside undefeated junior middleweight phenom Xander Zayas.
Sheehy made his professional debut last October in Fresno, where he knocked out Luciano Ramos in the fourth round. As an amateur, he defeated numerous top names, including Ryan Garcia and Vergil Ortiz Jr. He placed third at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials, where he dropped a competitive decision to eventual Olympic silver medalist and Top Rank promotional stablemate Keyshawn Davis. Sheehy was the 138-pound Olympic alternate, and with dreams of Olympic gold dashed, he turned his focus to the pro ranks.
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $36 are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.
Jose “Sniper Pedraza is preparing for his upcoming fight on March 4, against former unified champion Jose Ramirez, as if he were going to challenge for a world title.
The Puerto Rican boxer is convinced that he needs this type of mentality, since he understands that a victory over the Californian will surely catapult him in the direction of a world title shot at 140 pounds.
Pedraza, a two division world champion, will enter the fight riding a three-fight win streak, while Ramirez is looking to bounce back from a May 2021 decision loss to Josh Taylor in their full division unification clash.
“It is an important fight since Ramirez was recently a world champion. Beating him is like him beating the world champion. That would put me higher in the rankings and I see it that way,” Pedraza (29-3, 14 KOs) told Carlos Gonzalez.
“I view Ramirez as if he were the world champion with the opportunity being that the next fight would be for the titles. I wouldn't say it's a fight that would define my career, but it is important because [Ramirez] was a world champion and an excellent boxer. An opportunity [to fight for a title] will depend on what happens on March 4."
Pedraza is currently ranked fourth under the World Boxing Organization (WBO). Meanwhile, Ramirez is ranked at number one under the World Boxing Council (WBC).
Ramirez is eager for revenge against Taylor.
“It's normal that after his first loss he's thinking about Taylor, but it's also bad because he has to focus on the fighter he has in front of him before getting a possible rematch. I am concentrating on Ramírez, it is an extremely important fight," Ramirez replied.
I like this fight a lot actually, 50/50 more or less but I'm edging slightly towards Ramirez, fresher and naturally bigger, as Ricky says I wouldn't write off Pedraza
Good fight that I enjoyed it was competitive all the way through, I had Ramirez nicking it 115-113 but would have no qualms with it the other way, i thought Pedraza boxed beautifully at times from the southpaw stance, countered Ramirez with the jab and the lead left, walked him onto it expertly in there, some of his work on the ropes was top drawer, Ramirez brought the pressure and strength, worked the right hand up top and left down bottom, didn't always let his hands go when in range, was obviously mindful of being picked off which Pedraza was able to do, always finished the rounds strong to sway judges, i had Ramirez taking last 2 to get the win but all in all a very good fight
I was in round one and already it was obvious wasn’t it lads, that it was going to be a really good fight? Obvious style mesh and both really looking to win, evenly matched, good tempo, high skill levels, fkin great stuff
superb thanks lads