Jose Ramirez lives his dream, wins WBC title

Sub Lead19-Mar-18by John J. Raspanti

By John J. Raspanti

jose-ramirez-vs-amir-iman

Jose Ramirez has been dreaming of winning a world title since he was eight. On Saturday night at the Hula Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY, Ramirez fulfilled his ambition by defeating Amir Imam over 12 rounds to capture the WBC junior welterweight championship.

The scores were 115-113, 117-111 and a ridiculous 120-108.

Maxboxing.com scored the bout 116-112 for the new champion.

In the early rounds, Ramirez, bobbing and weaving, pressed forward, while Imam fired double and triple jabs. He had a slight edge until Ramirez went to the body with some effectiveness. Imam used movement and his length to try and keep Ramirez at bay.

Ramirez, 25, began connecting with overhand rights in round four. He clobbered Imam with two left hooks and forced his taller opponent into the ropes. He was relentless, and Imam was paying the price.

Imam wanted to keep the action in the middle of the ring. He connected with a good shot to the ribs in round six. The detirmined Ramirez ignored the punch and pressed forward. He popped Imam with various shots.

Ramirez (22-0, 16 KOs) upped the ante in round seven. He bounced, stalked, and popped. He had won the battle of wills.

Imam (21-2, 18 KOs) sat in the pocket and fired—trying to slow Ramirez down.

In rounds eight and nine, Ramirez continued to connect with clubbing right hands. Imam tried to roll with the shots but Ramirez was accurate.

Iman landed a good combination that had no effect. Ramirez bulled Imam to the ropes and pounded him. Imam fought back on the inside. Both fighters traded stinging hooks, but Ramirez was a little busier.

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Imam tried to change the rhythm of the fight in round 10. Unfortunately for him, it was Ramirez who let his hands go with even more regularity.

Another left hook banged off Imam—whose left eye was beginning to swell. Ramirez drilled him with more shots.

Ramirez came out blazing in the 12th and final round. He forced Imam into the ropes and let fly. There was no quit in Imam, but he had no answers. Ramirez, who picked bell peppers for seven dollars in hour in high school, fired punches in bunches. He wouldn’t be denied.

“This is a dream come true for me,” said Ramirez. “It is an honor to be a world champion. I’m thankful for the talent God gave me. I dedicate this fight to all the immigrants. I fight for them.”

“I should have done more to the body,” said the disappointed Imam.

It likely would have made no difference.