By Ian S Palmer
WBC Super Lightweight Champion Jose Ramirez of Avenal, California will put his undefeated record and title on the line this Sunday, Feb. 10th when he defends the belt for the second against Jose Zepeda of Long Beach, California. The 12-round bout take place at the Save Mart Arena in Fresno, California and can be seen live in the USA on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Fans in Canada can catch the action on TSN 2. Ramirez last fought in September when he beat Antonio Orozco by a unanimous decision. Zepeda’s last contest was in October when he stopped Domicio Rondon in the seventh round. Ramirez won the vacant crown with a unanimous decision over Amir Imam in March, 2018.
The 26-year-old Ramirez enters the contest with a perfect mark of 23-0 along with 16 Kos. He turned pro back in 2012 and has boxed 97 rounds since then. He stands 5-feet-10-inches tall and has a 72.5-inch reach. He’s got quite a bit of pop in his fists with a current knockout ratio of 70 per cent and also possesses a pretty solid chin. Ramirez had a fine amateur career and represented the USA at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England where he went 1-1.
Ramirez also faced Vasyl Lomachenko at the 2011 World Championships in Azerbaijan and was beaten 16-9 on points. Since turning pro he’s won the NABF Junior Welterweight Title as well as a couple of other regional belts as well as his world championship. Ramirez hasn’t really faced any top contenders as of yet with his biggest wins being over Orozco, Imam, Mike Reed, Issouf Kinda, Johnny Garcia, Jake Giuriceo, Robert Frankel, Ryusei Yoshida and Tomas Mendez.
As for Zepeda, he’s a 29-year-old veteran southpaw with a fine mark of 30-1 along with 25 Kos. His lone loss came to Terry Flanagan when he was stopped in the second round in a shot for the WBO Lightweight Title in July of 2015. Zepeda suffered a dislocated left shoulder and remaine3d on his stool when the bell rang to start the third round. He turned pro back in 2009 and has boxed 107 rounds since then.
Zepeda’s 5-feet-8-inches tall with a reach of 70.5 inches which means he’s got a two-inch disadvantage in both height and reach to Ramirez. Zepeda’s also got some dynamite in his fists though with a current knockout ratio of 78 percent. He’s been on the deck before, but still owns a pretty solid chin. Zepeda won the vacant WBO International Super Lightweight Crown in June of 2017 when he stopped Miguel Zamudio in the sixth round.
He then won the vacant WBA Inter-Continental Lightweight Championship by stopping Carlos Diaz Ramirez in the fifth round last June. Zepeda’s also beaten the likes of Luis Arceo, Emanuel Lopez, Robert Frankel, Victor Manuel Cayo, Armando Robles and Abner Lopez. He’s got plenty of experience and power and represents Ramirez’s stiffest pro test up to now.
Prediction…
This should be a good challenge for Ramirez since Zepeda matches him in the power department and also has plenty of experience. Zepeda should have his moments, but I think Ramirez’s speed and relentless punching style should be enough to enable him to retain the title.
