Even in a perceived coin flip fight, Jose Carlos Ramirez has come to realize that the oddsmakers and industry insiders have made a decision regarding the biggest fight of his pro career.

The unbeaten, unified junior welterweight titlist is the betting underdog heading into his four-belt undisputed championship with Josh Taylor (17-0, 13KOs). BetMGM has Avenal, California’s Ramirez at +185 to emerge from their May 22 headliner with his unblemished record and title reign still intact. It’s the first time in his career where the unbeaten 28-year-old will not enter as the betting favorite, though far from the first time in where the public has doubted his chances.

“I don’t win because I want to prove people wrong. I win because I believe in myself the whole time,” Ramirez noted during the first installment of the Blood, Sweat and Tears: Ramirez vs. Taylor two-part series on ESPN2. “I knew I was going to be victorious.

“The personal opinions from professionals, from fans, it doesn’t matter no more. It doesn’t matter. It’s not going to help him.”

Ramirez (26-0, 17KOs) has done it right throughout most of his boxing life, including a storied amateur career highlighted by his representing the United States in the 2012 London Olympics. The unbeaten Mexican-American has developed a massive following in California’s Central Valley region, becoming a local draw well before winning his first title which came in a 12-round decision win over Amir Imam in March 2018.

Four successful defenses have followed, including a 6th round knockout of Maurice Hooker in their July 2019 title unification bout between undefeated titlists. Ramirez was a slight favorite to prevail in Arlington, Texas, just outside of Hooker’s Dallas hometown and wound up with a signature win along with unifying the WBC and WBO titles.

A 12-round decision victory over Viktor Postol last August in Las Vegas was met with mixed reactions, more so in terms of assessing his chances versus Taylor, who is coming off of a 1st round knockout of unbeaten Apinun Khongsong last September to defend his WBA/IBF titles.

“I know it doesn’t matter what people think,” notes Ramirez. “I know it doesn’t matter where they rank me and put me on their pound-for-pound list. I do think about why people don’t give me the credit for making it this far.When people have a little doubt, I continue winning. When people say ‘Let’s see what he has’, I continue winning… and I continue winning… and I continue winning.

“Everything I have, I’ve earned the right way. My actions come by my fists. I know what I can do. That’s what really matters.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox