Trainer Henry Ramirez ready to get back to work after defeating Covid-19

Less than a month after relocating his Rain Cross Boxing Academy in Riverside California to a bigger building this past June, trainer Henry Ramirez tested positive for Covid-19.

The moment was a little scary for Ramirez, but with his teams help they put things on pause until he got healthy and the go ahead to get back to work.

Since recovering, Ramirez has tested negative three times and has fights coming up for his team.

"I have had three negative tests and we obviously had to slow things down until I recovered, but we are at it full swing now with a lot of good things coming up." stated Ramirez.

When talking about the best boxing trainers residing on the west coast most will think of Freddie Roach, Robert Garcia and of course, Joe Goossen. Ramirez should be included on the list as well as he has trained world title challengers Chris Arreola and welterweight Josesito Lopez.

Ramirez is no longer the lead trainer of Arreola, but is still in the corner along with Goossen. Ramirez helped guide Arreola to three title attempts since he started working with the big heavyweight in 2003. Ramirez and Lopez parted ways a few years back, but his stable has a bright future led by some talented amatuers and professionals.

“We have a nonprofit for all our amateur fighters and a very good program to help the kids," said Ramirez. “If they come work hard the program will helps kids be disciplined and keep in right direction.”

One of Ramirez top amateurs is Pow Barredo, who has become something of a social media star by calling out fighters at any weight, professional or amateur. His favorite saying when Ramirez records him is,’They don’t want this smoke’ which has caught on.

“Pow is a good kid and has a great boxing IQ for his age," said Ramirez. "He has around sixty fights and keeps getting better, he has a bright future and he markets well with his social media joking around.”

Ramirez professional stable includes Joshua Connelly (16-3-1), and Mario Hernandez (15-3) who was mere days away from a showdown with James Kirkland in Kirkland’s return, until Covid-19 shut things down. Prospects Richard Brewer (7-0), Oscar Torres (8-0), Isiah Mercado (7-0) and Darius Harris (6-0) are coming along nicely.

“We could have eight fights in the next four weeks if things work out,” Ramirez said. “The fighters will have to get used to no fans as that’s the route boxing is going with Covid and safety.”

Having a good relationship with Al Haymon and PBC has helped keep Ramirez and his stable busy as he continues to build each fighter in his gym.

Ramirez feels boxing will remain with no fans until the end of 2020, and is optimistic that in 2021 it can back to normal. Most of all, Ramirez is happy his battle with Covid-19 is over and is back to work full steam ahead.