Ramirez withdraws from Prograis fight
The WBC has received official confirmation that Jose Carlos Ramirez has decided to withdraw from fighting against WBC champion Regis Prograis, a fight which was mandated by the the WBC.
Several years ago, Prograis and Ramirez were set to clash for the vacant WBC super lightweight championship after Terrence Crawford decided to move to welterweight.
Regis Prograis entered the WBSS, representing the WBC title, and Ramirez fought Amir Imam for the vacant title, precisely on the 2000th fight of the WBC history.
Each fighter took their own path in which they both enjoyed great success.
When Josh Taylor relinquished his WBC title, earlier this year, the WBC ordered Jose Zepeda to fight Ramirez for the vacant title and the winner to fight Prograis who had won a final elimination bout. Ramirez withdrew from fighting Zepeda as he had his long overdue wedding, which had been postponed due to covid pandemic.
The WBC ordered Zepeda to fight Prograis and it was a sensational fight, crowning Regis the winner.
The WBC has supported Jose Carlos Ramirez for many years both in boxing and outside of the ring as he is an ambassador of good will with exemplary social responsibility programs as a leader of his Community. We wish him good luck in his future both inside and outside the ring.
It is important to outline that the WBC followed its rules and had Ramirez won the title vs Zepeda and faced Prograis as champion the split would have been 70-30 in his favour. The WBC supported him and appointed him mandatory contender and also modified the split to 65-35. His decision to withdrew is respected.
The World Boxing Council stated, "The WBC will give Regis Prograis a voluntary defense until we can analyze the future steps to be taken in the division."
