Robeisy Ramirez, the former featherweight champion, made a statement with a stunning seventh-round knockout victory over Brandon Leon Benitez. This fight took place as part of the undercard for the Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett matchup, which was broadcasted on ESPN. After losing his WBO 126-lb title to Rafael Espinoza in December, Ramirez displayed a completely revamped style in the ring. His performance was a stark contrast to his lackluster showing against Espinoza, proving that he had made significant improvements in his game.
Throughout the entire bout with Benitez, Ramirez maintained control by staying on the inside, landing crisp shots, and effectively defending against his opponent’s attacks. Benitez, a highly-ranked fighter, suffered significant damage during the fight, with blood coming from his nose and swelling around his eyes as early as the fifth round. By the sixth round, it was clear that Benitez was outclassed and unable to mount any meaningful offense. Unable to continue, Benitez’s corner wisely stopped the fight to prevent further punishment.
In the sixth round, Ramirez showcased shades of his old amateur style, adopting a mid-range stance, showcasing his defensive skills, and landing accurate shots at will. However, it was in the seventh round that he truly shined. A well-placed uppercut caught Benitez flush, sending him crashing to the canvas, prompting the referee to halt the fight at the 2:46 mark. This victory sets up a potential rematch with Rafael Espinoza, where Ramirez will look to reclaim his WBO title.
With the possibility of Naoya Inoue moving up to the 126-lb division, Ramirez knows that capturing the WBO title is crucial for securing lucrative future opportunities. By demonstrating his willingness to engage taller opponents like Espinoza on the inside, Ramirez shows a strategic adaptation to neutralize his opponent’s strengths. The potential for a knockout victory over Espinoza is not out of the question, as Ramirez had previously hurt him in their previous encounter. However, he will need to remain focused and capitalize on opportunities to secure a definitive win this time around.