Ruiz Replaces Injured Ramirez On 9/26 UniMas Show

By Jake Donovan

Unbeaten super lightweight prospect Jose Ramirez was hoping to squeeze in his third fight in less than five months, but an injury has forced him off of the September 26 card at Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, California.

News of Ramirez' injury was confirmed in a statement released by local promoter Rick Mirigian. Replacing the 23-year old rising star in the evening's headliner is Andy Ruiz Jr., an unbeaten heavyweight from California by way of Mexicali who can use the ring activity. The 26-year old will return to action against an opponent to be determined, airing live on UniMas, with Ramirez on hand to at least interact with the paying patrons.

“Jose will be with us at ringside on September 26 at Tachi Palace,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. 

Ruiz (24-0, 14KOs) has been out of the ring since a 10-round decision over faded former heavyweight titlist Siarhei Liakhovich last December. 

Injuries have attributed to his ring absence, as well as the need for improved conditioning. Ruiz boasts the talent to one day become the first fighter of Mexican heritage to win a heavyweight title. 

However, he does himself no favors by coming in as heavy and fleshy as has been the case in recent fights. His handlers were willing to forgive the 5'10" heavyweight coming in between the 240-250 lb. range given his in-ring results. Such understanding was nowhere to be found with his past two fights, weighing a career heaviest 272.75 lbs. for a 1st round knockout last October, and 267.75 in his aforementioned win over Liakhovich. 

The suggestion heading into his ring return is that all lessons have been learned. 

“Andy Ruiz has been training for weeks getting prepared to get back into the ring,” Arum insists. “He is an action packed heavyweight with firepower.” 

As for Ramirez, the next month will be spent rehabiliting his training injury. From there, the rising prospect plans to headline a December 5 show in his hometown of Fresno. He has become a huge draw in his hometown, pulling in upwards of 10,000 in attendance, crazy numbers for a fighter still on the prospect level.

A big part of the appeal—along with his winning ways—is Ramirez' role as a community activist. His ongoing 'Fight For Water'-themed boxing events in Fresno taps into his efforts to raise awareness for the ongoing drought issues that have for far too long plagued areas throughout California. 

The most recent show took place in May, with Ramirez (15-0, 10KOs) knocking out the normally durable Robert Frankel in five rounds. 

In exchange for his forced withdrawal, Ramirez is offering a treat for fans who were hoping to catch him in action on this show but will instead have to wait until December. 

“I will be back strong and ready (to return to training) in five weeks,” confirmed Ramirez, who is coming off of a 3rd round knockout of Ryusei Yoshida this past July in Macau. “This card is stacked with great local boxers. I will be at the fight doing meet and greets, hanging out with fans and look forward to watching a night of world class boxing at Tachi Palace. 

“As a gift we will be giving a free ticket voucher to my return fight at Save Mart Center on December 5, to all who attend the fights and there is only a couple hundred tickets left at Tachi now so grab yours and I will see you at the fights.”  

Tickets for September 26 are available at tachipalace.com or by calling 1-866-PALACE. There are approximately 200 tickets available which are also available at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino Hotel gift shop.