José Ramírez defeats José Pedraza during their super lightweight fight at Save Mart Center on March 4, 2022 in Fresno, California. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
José Ramírez will continue his career with a new promoter.
Ramirez has signed a multi-year promotional deal with Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya officially announced on Saturday night’s DAZN broadcast.
Ramirez, 31 (28-1, 18 KOs), who grew up in the small farming community of Avenal, California, is a former unified 140-pound world champion and 2012 U.S. Olympian.
“I’m ready to be a two-time world champion, and do it right now in addition to staying active this year,” said Ramirez, who is ranked No. 4 in The Ring. “I felt like Oscar and Golden Boy could offer both fights right away and also some big fights at this point in my career that I want. This is the most motivated I’ve been since turning pro.”
De La Hoya believes Ramirez is still one of the best fighters at 140 pounds.
“An Olympic pedigree. An incredible resume that has two world titles. A huge and loyal fan base – José Ramírez has it all and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Golden Boy family,” De La Hoya, president and CEO of Golden Boy, said in a statement. “Our plan for Ramirez is simple: bring him back to the ring quickly, keep him active against the best of the best and show the world that he is still among the cream of the junior welterweight division.”
The announcement of Ramirez’s signing comes several weeks after Ryan Garcia made his 140-pound debut on December 2, knocking out Oscar Duarte. Junior welterweight contender Arnold Barboza, Jr. recently signed a promotional deal with Golden Boy.
García is also promoted by Golden Boy.
“We know our value and we had to come up with a plan,” said Rick Mirigian, who coaches Ramirez. “Golden Boy stepped up and showed that José would be a priority for them with the treatment they gave him. The fights that can now be made at 140 (pounds) at home are among the best in the entire sport, as Golden Boy has now firmly established itself in the most exciting division in boxing.”
Mirigian also manages Barboza.
Ramírez, who is currently trained by Robert García, had been promoted by Top Rank since turning professional in December 2012. Ramírez became unified world champion (WBC and WBO) in July 2019, stopping Maurice Hooker.
In a clash for the undisputed championship at 140 pounds, Ramirez would lose a unanimous decision to Josh Taylor in May 2021. In his last fight, which took place on March 25 in Fresno, California, where several of their fights, Ramirez stopped Richard Commey in the eleventh round.
The victory over Commey was Ramirez’s last fight under contract with Top Rank. In recent weeks, Ramirez reportedly turned down a contract offer from Top Rank that included a $2,000,000 purse to face Ring Magazine champion Teofimo Lopez on February 8.
Golden Boy later terminated its contract with Ramírez after Top Rank refused to match Golden Boy’s offer.
Ramirez could return to action in Fresno, where he fights before sold-out crowds at the Save Mart Center.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County, California, Star newspaper. He can be contacted at [email protected]
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