For the first time, 2012 U.S. Olympian JOSE RAMIREZ (8-0, 6 KO’s) will fight in the main event of a nationally televised fight in a major SMG Arena production in Fresno, Calif.
“It’s an honor to fight in the Central Valley,” Ramirez. “It’s always been a dream of mine to fight in this arena. I went to Fresno State here. This fight will be big, but no fight is bigger then the one for water for our valley. This fight is about bringing attention to the struggle and daily fight our people have for water that creates jobs and is the lifeline of our area.”
“Jose Ramirez deeply cares about his community and its battle for ‘Fight for Water,’ said Top Rank CEO BOB ARUM. “He is a wonderful young man and is on his way to stardom in the sport of boxing.”
“I told Ramirez three years ago in the amateurs, before the Olympics on a hot Alabama day, that I would make this happen,” said Ramirez’s agent and promoter Rick Mirigian. “I’m just happy I got to keep my word.”
He continued, “On behalf of Jose Ramirez and Top Rank Boxing, we want to thank Tachi Palace Casino and Resort for their support and help in making the ‘Fight for Water 1’ so successful and their continued support with the ‘Fight for water 2.’ They have been instrumental in this process and are Central Valley’s premier casino and resort!”
TOP RANK also recently signed two Central Valley fighters to long-term promotional agreements. Gary Salazar and Daniel Valdivia will both be in action and featured on the May 17 fight card.
Tickets start at just $25 for pre-sale period and are available at main box office at Selland Arena (700 M Street, Fresno, Calif.). Box office hours are 10am-6pm, Monday-Friday and weekends on show dates only. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM, by phone at 1.800.745.3000, and at all Ticketmaster outlets, including select Vallarta and Save Mart supermarkets. Reserved seating and VIP tables available, too.
“The CALIFORNIA LATINO WATER COALITION is grateful and proud of its new member, Jose Ramirez, for taking on the Fight for Water, to help those Californians who do not have a voice in California water problems,” said Mario Santoyo, Executive Director of the California Latino Water Coalition.
“The Central Valley is facing a water shortage catastrophe, especially for the families who harvest the crops that feed the nation. They are the people who have lost jobs, homes, opportunities and hope as a result of the natural and artificial droughts that continue to reduce Central California’s water supplies.
We hope that the Fight for Water will bring needed attention to California’s serious water problems.”
