Who is Jose Carlos Ramirez?
Facts you need to know about Josh Taylor’s next opponent
Josh Taylor (17-0, 13KOs) clashes with fellow undefeated unified super-lightweight champion Jose Ramirez (26-0, 17KOs) on May 22 in a battle for super-lightweight supremacy where one will be crowned undisputed world champion.
BBN found out some little-known facts about the undefeated unified world champion:
Early Life
Ramirez was born in Avenal, California, and has lived there his entire life. He is the son of Mexican immigrants, his parents are from the State of Michoacan de Ocampo, in Western Mexico. The name of Michoacan translates to “Possessor of fish” and civilisation there dates back to over 10,000 years ago.
Born on August 12, 1992, he is currently 28-years-old.
Amateur Career
Jose started boxing aged 15 and accumulated a fine amateur record of 85-8, winning four US Championships and representing Team USA in the London 2012 Olympic Games.
He defeated fellow American, Kenneth Sims Jr, in the 2011 US Olympic Trials, who fights on his undercard on May 22.
In the 2011 AIBA World Championships, he narrowly lost to Vasyl Lomachenko 9:16. Some notable victories on his amateur ledger include WBO World super-bantamweight champion, Jessie Magdaleno, who defeated Nonito Donaire to become world champion; American champion Toka Kahn Clary; unbeaten prospect Albert Bell
Farmer Ramirez
Jose works selflessly to support local agricultural workers, because it’s not that long ago that he was one of them. Growing up, he used to work from 6am to 4pm in the searing summer heat of the pepper fields near his home. The teenager would do the back-breaking work of picking peppers, with temperatures soaring as high as 115 degrees. He’d leave this work to go to a two-hour boxing workout, and then leave there to go to soccer practice!
The inspirational world champion never forgot his roots and partnered with local Central Valley businesses to assist these workers during the pandemic. Along with local Drs. Juan Bautista and Ignacio Guzman, he helped to provide for these workers, supplying them with essential goods and household items. Between them, they started a GoFundMe campaign to take donations for the project: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ag-workers-support-fund
Ramirez has consistently been socially active throughout his life and has fought for the rights of immigrants who often don’t speak the language and are unaware of how to get help. Several years ago during a drought, he and his father fought hard for water rights for them and is already considered a hero in his local area.
Pro-Immigrant and Proud
The inspiring young hero, known as the 'Pride of Central Valley', feels it's his duty to help those in need and said these incredible words once, "It's my duty to fight for our neighbours, hard-working, humble families working to provide for their families and make America great." A lot of people are afraid, nervous and vulnerable and I'm going to continue to be their voice until something positive happens. We can't leave it to the politicians."
Shades of Ali
His manager Rick Mirigan compared his charge to Muhammad Ali, "Not since Muhammad Ali has a fighter been this socially active. Whether it's water or immigrants rights, he puts his money where his mouth is and his fists as well."
Nickname
‘JCR’ is also known as the ‘Jaguar’.
California Dreaming
Ramirez dropped out of college in California to concentrate on his pro career and acheive his dream of becoming a world champion boxer. His mother said in an interview once, "He has dreamed of being a world champion ever since he was eight-years-old."
Opponents
Ramirez’s 27 opponents, including Taylor, have a combined record of 425-97-18.
Josh Taylor will be the fifth undefeated fighter he has faced in eight-year pro career.
He is 5-0 in world championships bouts and 2-0 against former or current world champions – Maurice Hooker and Viktor Postol.
Style
The unbeaten champion has never lost for a reason – he is strong, aggressive and relentless.
Team 'JCR'
Jose is managed by Rick Mirigian, who is also from California; he is promoted by Bob Arum's Top Rank Boxing; trained by Roberto Garcia, who was once an IBF World super-featherweight champion. He first begun his pro career under Manny Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, but they split in 2018.
Stats
Age: 38
Height: 5’ 10”
Reach: 72”
Bouts: 26
Wins: 26
Wins by KO: 17
Losses: 0
Draws: 0
Rounds: 127
KOs: 65.38%
Stance: Orthodox
Rankings
The WBC and WBO unified champ is rated No.1 by The Ring Magazine; and No.2 by the Transnational Boxing Rankings.
Roll of Honour
2009 US Junior Championships gold medal
2010 US Championships gold medal
2011 US Championships gold medal
2011 US Olympic Trials gold medal
2012 America’s Olympic Qualifier bronze medal
2012 US Championships gold medal
WBC Continental Americas super-lightweight title
NABF super-lightweight title
WBC World super-lightweight title
WBO World super-lightweight title
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