José Ramírez (boxer)


José Carlos Ramírez is an American professional boxer. He is the unified WBC and WBO light welterweight champion, having held the WBC title since 2018 and the WBO title since July 2019. As an amateur he was the number one rated in the WBC lightweight in the United States and represented the U.S at the 2012 Olympics. As of June 2020, he is ranked as the world's second best active light welterweight by BoxRec, first by The Ring, and third by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.

Amateur career

Ramírez won the United States national amateur boxing championships Lightweight tournament at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He's also a Jr. Golden Gloves National Champion, two-time Jr. Olympic National Champion, and a two-time Ringside World Champion. His family currently lives in Avenal, California where he's lived all his life. Jose qualified to represent the United States at the 2012 Olympics by defeating 2008 Olympian Raynell Williams 21-16 in the finals of the 2012 United States Olympic Boxing Trials. Ramírez beat Rachid Azzedine and then lost to Fazliddin Gaibnazarov at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Professional career

Ramirez turned professional in 2012 and amassed 21 consecutive victories before facing and defeating Amir Imam for the vacant WBC super lightweight title.
He is promoted by Bob Arum.
In his next fight, Ramirez faced Antonio Orozco, then #3 by the WBC at light welterweight, at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. In an action-packed fight, the defending champion managed to drop his opponent twice, once in the fourth, and once in the eighth round. Despite the two knockdowns, Orozco gave his all and even was the agressor at times. In the end, it was a clear win for Ramirez, all three judges scoring the fight 119-107 in favor of the champion.
In his next title defense, Ramirez faced Jose Zepeda, ranked #14 by the WBC at light welterweight. Zepeda was winning the early rounds of the fight. Ramirez started to gain control of the fight in the fourth round. Ramirez finished the fight strong, especially in the last 20 seconds, unleashing power shots on Zepeda. He would end up winning the fight by a majority decision.
On July 27, 2019, Ramirez was slated to fight WBC light welterweight champion Maurice Hooker in a unification fight. In an action-packed fight, Ramirez first managed to drop Hooker in the opening round, and despite replays showing that Ramirez had stepped on Hooker's foot., it was ruled an official knockdown. As the rounds went on, the fight slowed down, which seemed to favor Hooker. However, in the sixth round, Ramirez connected on a left hand to the chin, followed by another big left to the head, which sent Hooker reeling against the ropes. As Hooker was helpless, the referee stopped the fight with 1:48 to go in the round, awarding Ramirez the TKO victory.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
26 Viktor Postol– Aug 29, 2020 MGM Grand, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Defending WBC and WBO light welterweight titles
25Win25–0 Maurice HookerTKO6, 1:48Jul 27, 2019 College Park Center, Arlington, Texas, U.S.Retained WBC light welterweight title;
Won WBO light welterweight title
24Win24–0 Jose ZepedaMD12Feb 10, 2019 Save Mart Center, Fresno, California, U.S.Retained WBC light welterweight title
23Win23–0 Antonio OrozcoUD12Sep 14, 2018 Save Mart Center, Fresno, California, U.S.Retained WBC light welterweight title
22Win22–0 Amir ImamUD12Mar 17, 2018 The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Won vacant WBC light welterweight title
21Win21–0 Mike ReedKO2, 1:43Nov 11, 2017 Save Mart Center, Fresno, California, U.S.Retained WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title
20Win20–0 Jake GiuriceoTKO2, 2:10May 5, 2017 Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
19Win19–0 Issouf KindaKO6, 0:58Dec 2, 2016 Save Mart Arena, Fresno, California, U.S.Retained WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title
18Win18–0 Tomas MendezKO4, 0:53Jul 9, 2016 Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore, California, U.S.Retained WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title
17Win17–0 Manuel PérezUD10Apr 9, 2016 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title
16Win16–0 Johnny GarciaUD8Dec 5, 2015 Save Mart Arena, Fresno, California, U.S.Won WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title
15Win15–0 Ryusei Yoshida3, 3:00Jul 18, 2015 Cotai Arena, Macau, SAR
14Win14–0 Robert FrankelKO5, 2:18May 9, 2015 Selland Arena, Fresno, California, U.S.
13Win13–0 Antonio ArellanoTKO6, 2:50Dec 13, 2014 Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
12Win12–0 David RodelaKO1, 0:50Oct 25, 2014 Selland Arena, Fresno, California, U.S.
11Win11–0 Alfred RomeroUD8Aug 2, 2014 Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
10Win10–0 Jesus SeligKO2, 0:44May 17, 2014 Selland Arena, Fresno, California, U.S.
9Win9–0 Boyd HenleyTKO2, 2:32Mar 29, 2014 Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
8Win8–0 Javier PerezTKO1, 2:32Feb 1, 2014 Laredo Energy Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
7Win7–0 Erick Hernandez Perez1, 0:47Nov 9, 2013 West Hills College, Lemoore, California, U.S.
6Win6–0 Daniel CalzadaUD4Sep 28, 2013 StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S.
5Win5–0 Mike MaldonadoTKO1, 1:06Aug 17, 2013 Laredo Energy Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
4Win4–0 Christopher WilliamsTKO1, 1:30Jun 29, 2013 WinStar Casino, Thackerville, Oklahoma, U.S.
3Win3–0 Antonio Martinez4Apr 27, 2013 Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.
2Win2–0 Charlie DubrayTKO1, 1:06Mar 30, 2013 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
1Win1–0 Corey Seigwarth1, 2:05Dec 8, 2012 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.

Personal life

Ramírez is of Mexican descent, his parents are from the state of Michoacán.