NEW YORK – Robeisy Ramirez recorded his most impressive win Saturday night since he stunningly lost his pro debut almost three years ago.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist viciously knocked out previously unbeaten Abraham Nova in the fifth round of their scheduled 10-round featherweight fight at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater. A devastating straight left hand by Ramirez knocked Nova flat on his back and forced referee Charlie Fitch to immediately wave an end to their fight at 2:20 of the fifth round.
Ramirez, 28, has won 10 straight fights since underdog Adan Gonzales upset him by split decision in their four-rounder in August 2019. The Cuban southpaw avenged that loss four fights later, when he convincingly defeated Denver’s Gonzales by unanimous decision in a six-rounder, but Nova was the most established contender Ramirez has faced as a pro.
Ramirez improved to 10-1 and produced his sixth knockout. Nova, of Albany, New York, fell to 21-1 (15 KOs) in the co-feature before ESPN televised the light heavyweight title unification bout between Artur Beterbiev and Joe Smith Jr.
Nova’s right hand landed as Ramirez moved backward 1:15 into the fifth round. Ramirez made his emphatic statement about 30 seconds later, however, as he blasted Nova with the left hand that dumped him flat on his back and abruptly ended their bout.
Ramirez made Nova miss with a right hand and countered him with a left hand that knocked Nova off balance with just over 50 seconds on the clock in the fourth round. Nova landed two right hands in an exchange late in the fourth round.
Nova knocked Ramirez off balance with a right hand 15 seconds into the third round. Ramirez drilled Nova with two left hands in the middle minute of third round.
Toward the end of the third round, Ramirez knocked Nova off balance with a left hand and followed up with another left hand that wobbled him.
Nova snuck a right hand through Ramirez’s guard, which caused Ramirez to wave him forward just after the halfway point of the second round. With just under 40 seconds to go in the second round, Ramirez landed a left hand in an exchange.
Ramirez also caught Nova with a right hook toward the end of the second round. Fitch then warned Ramirez for hitting Nova after the bell to end the second round.
A counter right by Nova landed just after the midway mark of the opening round. Ramirez came back quickly, though, with a straight left that got Nova’s attention as he backed into his own corner.
Ramirez connected with another left hand before Nova moved out of his corner.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.
