On Saturday night at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California, Jose Ramirez showcased his skills in a one-sided but competitive 12-round unanimous decision win over Rances Barthelemy. Despite facing some early drama where Ramirez got hurt in rounds 3, 4, and 6 from straight lefts from Barthelemy, the 37-year-old eventually gassed out after six rounds. Ramirez, the former WBC/WBO 140-lb champion, managed to shake off Barthelemy in the twelfth round. Promoter Oscar De La Hoya expressed his desire to see Ramirez fight for a world title at light welterweight, mentioning potential opponents such as IBF champion Subriel Matias or WBA champ Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.
In the chief support bout, Vergil Ortiz Jr. obliterated journeyman Thomas Dulorme with a first-round body shot knockout. Dulorme, who was dropped with a left to the body, couldn’t beat the count, leading to the fight being stopped at 2:39 of round one. The match served as a showcase for Ortiz, preparing him for an upcoming fight against Tim Tszyu on August 3rd in Los Angeles. The 26-year-old Ortiz Jr.’s dominant performance highlighted his potential in the junior middleweight division.
Light welterweight Oscar Duarte secured a victory over former super featherweight world champion Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz Jr. by stopping him in the ninth round of their scheduled ten-round fight. The referee intervened and called off the match after Diaz was caught against the ropes and overwhelmed by Duarte. This loss marked Diaz’s fifth defeat in his last six fights and his first knockout defeat of his career. Despite the setback, Diaz expressed his determination to continue fighting, stressing the need to move back down to super featherweight for future matches. Duarte’s resilience in bouncing back from a previous knockout loss showcased his potential in the light welterweight division.
Overall, the fights at the Save Mart Center provided an exciting showcase of talent and determination from Ramirez, Ortiz, and Duarte. Each fighter demonstrated their skills and ability to overcome challenges in the ring, setting the stage for future opportunities and potential title contention. The victories for Ramirez and Ortiz were particularly impressive, emphasizing their status as rising stars in the world of boxing. As they continue to pursue their goals and face new opponents, fans can expect more thrilling performances and memorable moments from these talented athletes.