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The Valley’s son former Unified Super Lightweight Champion Jose Ramirez (29-1 18kos) returned to the ring for the 1st time in 13 months in front of his home fans in Fresno California. Ramirez in his Golden Boy debut took on former two-division champion Rances Barthelemy (30-3-1 15kos). The fight was meant to get Ramirez back in the discussion for big fights as many believed Barthelemy’s best days were behind him, but early on the Cuban Olympian caused the home fans to gasp.
Ramirez was working early and landing body shots as he pushed Barthelemy back. The shots would land but did not appear to discourage the Cuban fighter. In round three things took a turn. Barthelemy caught Ramirez flush with a left hand that staggered the hometown fighter. A few seconds later Ramirez went down, but as he was on the ground Barthelemy threw a barrage of punches and landed some. The referee called it a slip and warned Barthelemy for the hits, as the rounds progressed Ramirez didn’t appear to be fully recovered and Barthelemy attacked. He had Ramirez stunned and wobbling as he had him on the ropes, but the bell rang to end the round and Barthelemy’s chance appeared to slip away.
Ramirez regained his composure and though he was hit with the left hand throughout the fight the bodywork and pressure seemed to wear Barthelemy down. The relentless attack that Ramirez employed and Barthelemy’s eye-closing slowed the former champion considerably. He had less snap on his punches and when he did have success it was never sustained.
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In the end, Ramirez earned a unanimous decision victory with scores of (119-109×2 and 118-110). Ramirez acknowledged getting caught and attributed some to being overly excited and inactivity. He told me “I look forward to being back in August or September, I do want two fights this year.” Ramirez has been mentioned as a possible opponent for Ryan Garcia in a fight that would be big in California, but they also mentioned all champions at 140. One thing for sure is that Ramirez will have options coming forward, but we will see in time who it’ll be.
In the co-main event, knockout artist Vergil Ortiz Jr (21-0 21kos) took on Thomas Dulorme (26-7-1 17kos) in his second fight this year. Ortiz Jr is being active as he was out of the ring for over a year with health issues. Now in this fight, Ortiz mentioned that he wanted to get some rounds in, but he also mentioned “I don’t get paid for if I hurt him then I hurt him and I go for it.” That he sure did as Ortiz landed a perfectly placed left hook to the body that sent Dulorme crashing down in a heap. Ortiz knew the shot was a fight-ender as he smiled before Dulorme went down. The fight was down at 2:39 of round one.
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Ortiz now turns his attention to a fight that is guaranteed to have fireworks as he takes on former champion Tim Tszyu on August 3rd. Ortiz said after the fight that he believes their fight will be the real main event of a stacked card. A lot of fight fans may agree as both fighters bring action and leave it all in the ring.
Results of the remaining undercard:
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Oscar Duarte (27-2-1 22kos) Tko 9 of Joseph Diaz Jr (33-6-1 15kos)
Gabriela Alaniz (14-1 6kos) SD10 over Marlen Esparza (14-2 2 kos)
(96-94,97-93 Alaniz 97-93 Esparza).
Alaniz wins WBA, WBC, WBO & Ring Magazine World Flyweight Title
Raul Curiel (15-0 13kos) KO1 Jorge Marron Jr (20-5-2 7kos)
Bryan Lua (9-0 4kos) Ko1 Ronaldo Solis (4-5-1 3kos)
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Figo Gonzales (6-0 3kos) Tko3 Alejandro Robles (0-3)
