After a splendid performance against Mario Barrios last month, Jesus Ramos says his uncle Abel Ramos deserves a rematch.
Abel, 33, fought to a split draw against 29-year-old Barrios in a WBC welterweight championship at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The decision led to Barrios keeping his belt.
But Abel’s nephew, Jesus, told BoxingScene that he wants to see the two fighters go at it again.
“That was a great fight, man. I thought it was an awesome fight. I would not be mad at a draw because I think both left it all in the ring,” said Jesus. “It was a tremendous fight. It was a great atmosphere too at that event.
“That whole event was just awesome and I think that the boxing world won that night with that fight. It was just, like I said, a great show. They both left it all out there. They're both very tough warriors and I think they deserve a rematch so that we can see who's the better man.”
Jesus, 21-1 (17 KOs), who’s billed to take on Jeison Rosario on February 1 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, was full of praise for his uncle whom he said proved everyone wrong with his performance – disagreeing with an earlier assertion by Barrios’ trainer, Bob Santos, that his fighter won the contest.
Santos also ruled out a possible rematch between the pair, preferring instead a fight against either legendary Manny Pacquiao or Conor Benn in an earlier interview with BoxingScene.
Jesus, however, believes the split draw by the judges was a fair representation of the bout.
“I think Bob Santos being his coach, I think that's what he's supposed to say - that they felt they won the fight. That's what you say. But like I said, I can't be mad at a draw. They both left their hearts out there. They fought hard for those 12 rounds, and I think a draw is what they both deserved. I don't think there was any loser in that fight.”
Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at bernardneequaye@gmail.com.
