As part of a special night dedicated to raising awareness about water shortages in the Central Valley, former U.S. Olympic boxer turned undefeated professional lightweight JOSE RAMIREZ will throw out the ceremonial first pitch during THE FRESNO GRIZZLIES’ game against the El Paso Chihuahuas at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, May 9 at Chukchansi Park. Ramirez, the fighting pride of nearby Avenal, will also be available on the concourse to sign autographs throughout the game.
“It’s an honor to throw the first pitch out at the game,” said Ramirez, who will be joined by Mario Santoyo, executive director of the LATINO WATER COALITION. “It’s even more special that it’s ‘Ag Night,’ as we all know the need for water to service both farmers and communities in the Central Valley.”
In a continued effort to help his region resolve its water issues, Ramirez (9-0, 7 KOs) will battle Mexico’s JESUS SELIG (12-2-1-2, 6 KOs) in a six-round rumble at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17 at the SELLAND ARENA. Dubbed the “Fight for Water II,” the card marks the second major fight event Ramirez has dedicated to the Central Valley’s water struggles. Other fights featured include a four-round featherweight bout between GARY SALAZAR (3-0, 2 KOs) of Fresno and DANIEL VALDIVIA (3-1, 0 KOs) of Renton, WA, as well as NABF heavyweight champion ANDY RUIZ (21-0, 15 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico against MANUEL QUEZADA (29-8, 18 KOs), of Chihuahua, Mexico in Fresno’s first-ever heavyweight championship contest. The card will air on the Spanish-language network UNIMAS at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.
“This is the largest fight ever to hit Fresno. Come be a part of a special night and watch a piece of history,” said Ramirez’s agent Rick Mirigian of the highly anticipated card, which has already sold 6,000 tickets.
“Jose Ramirez cares deeply about his community and its ‘Fight for Water,'” added Top Rank Boxing CEO and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, who signed the all-time U.S. boxing record-holder and 12-time U.S. National Champion in 2012. “He is a wonderful young man and is on his way to stardom in the sport of boxing.”
Tickets to “Fight for Water II” are priced at $33, $53, $103, and $203 and are available at the main box office at Selland Arena (700 M Street, Fresno, Calif.). Box office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday-Friday and weekends on show dates only. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at HTTP://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 are available.
