BoxRec

Double-Header Announced

Months after nearly ruining one show, Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz has arrived to salvage another.

The former junior lightweight titlist has agreed to next face Dominican Republic’s Javier Fortuna on July 9 at a venue to be determined, two sources with knowledge of the situation informed Boxing Scene. Diaz accepted the fight in place of unbeaten lightweight contender Ryan Garcia, who withdrew due to personal reasons.

Also on the show, Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (41-0, 27 KOs) will make his Golden Boy Promotions debut. The former WBO super middleweight titlist—who now campaigns at light heavyweight—will face veteran contender Sullivan Barrera, with the fight having been in development for nearly two months.

The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger was the first to reveal the development, via social media.

Diaz (31-1-1, 15 KOs) went on record in late April of his intentions to next face Fortuna (36-2-1, 25KOs) once the opportunity and date became available. The 2012 U.S. Olympian and former IBF junior lightweight has remained in the gym in the weeks following his latest fight, a 12-round draw with Tajikistan’s Shavkat Rakhimov in a fight that cost him the title one day prior after badly missing weight for their February 13 DAZN headliner.

The show moved forward, with Rakhimov accepting an undisclosed financial compensation package in agreeing to the new terms. Rakhimov was unable to claim the title that night, though will have a second shot when he faces Japan’s Kenichi Ogawa also in July on a separate show.

Meanwhile, Diaz will test the 135-pound waters against a dangerous foe.

Fortuna is a former junior lightweight titlist who has waited more than a year for a shot at the WBC lightweight strap, watching at least one title fight and two interim title bouts fall through all during and since the pandemic. The lone ring appearance for the Dominican southpaw in that time came last November, scoring a 6th round stoppage of Antonio Lozada last November, three months after plans for an August showdown with Jorge Linares fell through after the former three-division titlist tested positive for COVID-19.

Ramirez now has a new home for his first fight with Golden Boy, which was originally targeted for June. The Mexican southpaw—who turns 30 on June 19—was initially slated to appear on the Triller Fight Club Pay-Per-View featuring lineal lightweight champion and WBA/IBF/WBO titlist Teofimo Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs), but was pulled to instead enhance the July 9 show.

Miami’s Barrera (22-3, 14 KOs)—originally from Guantanamo, Cuba—has not fought since a 10-round points loss to Jesse Hart in their June 2019 crossroads bout.

A location has yet to be finalized for the event. The card was originally due to take place at a venue in the greater Los Angeles area when Garcia was due to headline. Such plans remain in discussion as this goes to publish.

Announced

“There are a lot of major players in the light heavyweight division right now, and Gilberto Ramirez is ready to demonstrate that he is very much among them,” said Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Sullivan Barrera possesses a decorated amateur background and has a lot of experience in this weight class, but Ramirez is totally committed to becoming a two-division champion.

“Zurdo’s world title campaign and his journey to 50-0 will start on July 9.”

“I'm excited to be headlining this show in Los Angeles with Golden Boy Promotions,” said Ramirez, who reigned as a WBO super middleweight titlist from 2016-2019 before moving up to light heavyweight. “It's going to be a great night of boxing with fans back in the stands. I've always enjoyed fighting here, and I can't wait to put on a show to continue my hunt for the light heavyweight championship.

“I appreciate Oscar and the Golden Boy family for their love and support, and I look will forward to a great night of boxing.”

““I’m excited to have the opportunity to headline such a big card against Gilberto Ramirez,” said Barrera, who owns a July 2017 win over current WBO light heavyweight titlist Joe Smith Jr. “I know that my opponent is a former world champion with a lot of experience and that he will come very much prepared.

“However, I feel that I have faced much better opposition. I’ve also spent my entire career in the light heavyweight division, something that will be totally new for him. It will be a difficult fight, but I will walk away with my hands raised in victory.”

Press Release | Venue Announced

Golden Boy is delighted to once again deliver world-class boxing to the Los Angeles area as the light heavyweight showdown between Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (41-0, 27 KOs) and Sullivan Barrera (22-3, 14 KOs) heads to the beautiful Banc of California Stadium in Downtown Los Angeles, home of the Los Angeles Football Club. The event will take place on Friday, July 9 and will be streamed live on DAZN.

“We are ecstatic to be bringing this huge card to the Banc of California Stadium,” Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy.

“Fans in Los Angeles are eager to attend a live event of such magnitude, so we are pleased to be able to deliver that with ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, Joseph Diaz Jr. and a spectacular undercard that will be announced next week. Golden Boy boxing returns home on July 9.”

Tickets for Zurdo vs. Barrera will go on sale Wednesday, June 2 and are priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $35, not including applicable service charges. In an effort to promote social distancing, tickets will initially be sold in pods/groupings of 2, 3, 4 and 6 people only, subject to change with local and state guidelines. Tickets will be available for purchase at www.bancofcaliforniastadium.com or www.ticketmaster.com. The Banc of California Stadium is located in historic Exposition Park, 3939 S. Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90037.

“Banc of California Stadium and LAFC are excited to welcome Golden Boy to the Heart of Los Angeles,” LAFC Co-President and CBO Larry Freedman said. “This is going to be an incredible night of world-class boxing at our world-class venue.”

As previously announced, the co-main event will feature Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr. (31-1-1, 15 KOs) of South El Monte, California taking on Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (36-2-1, 25 KOs) of La Romana, Dominican Republic in a 12-round lightweight bout.

A full undercard of action will be announced shortly.

Time Date Schedule

United States - Pacific 5:00 PM Friday Jul 09, 2021
United States - Mountain 6:00 PM Friday Jul 09, 2021
United States - Central 7:00 PM Friday Jul 09, 2021
United States - Eastern 8:00 PM Friday Jul 09, 2021

Canada - Vancouver 5:00 PM Friday Jul 09, 2021
Canada - Edmonton 6:00 PM Friday Jul 09, 2021
Canada - Winnipeg 7:00 PM Friday Jul 09, 2021
Canada - Toronto 8:00 PM Friday Jul 09, 2021
Canada - Newfoundland 9:30 PM Friday Jul 09, 2021

Brazil - Rio Branco 7:00 PM Friday Jul 09, 2021
Brazil - Manaus 8:00 PM Friday Jul 09, 2021
Brazil - Rio de Janeiro 9:00 PM Friday Jul 09, 2021

United Kingdom - London 1:00 AM Saturday Jul 10, 2021
Ireland - Dublin 1:00 AM Saturday Jul 10, 2021

Australia - Western 8:00 AM Saturday Jul 10, 2021
Australia - Central 9:30 AM Saturday Jul 10, 2021
Australia - Eastern 10:00 AM Saturday Jul 10, 2021

New Zealand - Auckland 12:00 PM Saturday Jul 10, 2021

Will watch this in the morning, liking the look of Diaz v Fortuna and Tanajara v Zepeda on the undercard, two well-matched contests on paper.

NoScoutingReports wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 07:38 Will watch this in the morning, liking the look of Diaz v Fortuna and Tanajara v Zepeda on the undercard, two well-matched contests on paper.

Yep - I also quite like the main event too. Good show.

maverick23 wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 07:50

NoScoutingReports wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 07:38 Will watch this in the morning, liking the look of Diaz v Fortuna and Tanajara v Zepeda on the undercard, two well-matched contests on paper.

Yep - I also quite like the main event too. Good show.

yeah i like the show, barrera is good, zurdo been inactive, lets see what happens

Date: Friday, July 9, 2021
Start Time: 9pm ET | 6pm PT | 1am UK
Location: Banc of California Stadium - Los Angeles, CA
Streaming: DAZN

Main Card

12 Round Light Heavyweight Bout
Zurdo Ramirez (41-0, 27 KOs) vs. Sullivan Barrera (22-3, 14 KOs)

WBC Interim World Lightweight Championship
Joseph Diaz Jr (31-1-1, 15 KOs) vs. Javier Fortuna (36-2-1, 25 KOs)

WBO Light Flyweight Female World Championship
Tenkai Tsunami (28-12-1, 16 KOs) vs. Seniesa Estrada (20-0, 8 KOs)

Vacant WBA Continental Americas Lightweight Championship
Hector Tanajara Jr (19-0, 5 KOs) vs. William Zepeda (22-0, 20 KOs)

Full Card

Anyone watching live?

Great win in the 4th for Ramirez, Barrera down 3 times from bodyshots, i knew by the amount of time on video that it didnt go long and before Barrera went down the first time i had a feeling it would be body shots that would do the damage, close first couple rounds, Barrera was letting his hands go, trying to work left jab, right hand but in the 3rd you could see Ramirez working the body inside and sure enough a left hand put Barrera down, Barrera was down again in the 4th from same shot, one of the longest delayed reactions ive seen, Barrera even threw a punch before deciding to take a knee, he got up but Ramirez waded in and forced him down a third time when Barrera's corner pulled their man, looked premature but no complaints from Barrera which tells the story

Loved Zepeda's performance, absolutely relentless to head and body, cut the ring off and put together belting combinations, battered Tanajara in truth. Very nice first win at 135 for Diaz Jr too v Fortuna, pretty close fight but Diaz began to work Javier over on the inside in the later rounds, great body shots too at times. Solid card

144 punches in a round Zepeda is my absolute hero

Counter-puncher wrote: ↑10 Jul 2021, 15:16 144 punches in a round Zepeda is my absolute hero

superb work rate, looking forward to seeing him next time out.