Tokyo, Japan - "El Tren" traveled halfway around the world and authored a devastating performance. In his first title defense, WBO featherweight world champion Robeisy Ramirez dominated Japanese challenger Satoshi Shimizu en route to a fifth-round TKO.
Robeisy Ramirez enjoyed a quick turnaround to defend his title and didn't waste any time once he entered the ring. The two-time Olympic Gold medalist retained his WBO featherweight title after a one-sided, fifth-round stoppage of Yokohama's Satoshi Shimizu. Ramirez floored the first-time title challenger before an ensuing flurry forced the stoppage at 1:08 of round five in their ESPN+ aired co-feature Tuesday from Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
Robeisy Ramirez can’t imagine waiting months on end for the chance to fight. Not even a loss in pro debut or a global pandemic less than a year later has slowed down the career progress of the two-time Olympic Gold medalist and recently crowned WBO featherweight titlist. Another quick turnaround is enjoyed by Ramirez, who will face Satoshi Shimizu less than four months after his April 1 title win over Isaac Dogboe.
Stephen Fulton refused to break eye contact during his final look at Naoya Inoue one day prior to their unified title fight. The visiting WBC/WBO junior featherweight titlist hit the scale at a rock solid 121.9 pounds for his first career fight outside the U.S. Inoue was a career-heaviest but phenomenally sculpted 121.7 pounds as he plays the role of challenger for the first time in more than four years. The two will meet in a scheduled twelve-round 122-pound title fight this Tuesday from Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
The thought of fighting in his opponent’s home country is all but second nature to Robeisy Ramirez by now. It hasn’t happened that often in the pro ranks but the Cuban southpaw traveled the globe during his storied amateur career that saw two Olympic Gold medal wins in 2012 London and 2016 Rio. Even as he’s relocated to the U.S., Ramirez still feels at times like a man without a country.
Fulton, Inoue Final Press Conference Photos Gallery - Three-division world champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs) will embark on his quest to conquer a fourth weight class as he challenges WBC/WBO junior featherweight world champion Stephen Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) this Tuesday, July 25 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan (photos by Naoki Fukada)
Winning a major title in the pro ranks is a significant accomplishment for most boxers. For a two-time Olympic Gold medalist, it’s merely par for the course. Make no mistake, Robeisy Ramirez is proud of the WBO featherweight title he claimed in a decisive points win over former 122-pound titlist Isaac Dogboe on April 1 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. However, the victory lap is reserved for when his arms are filled with hardware.
Robeisy "El Tren" Ramirez promises to deliver fireworks as he prepares to defend his WBO featherweight world title on enemy turf.
Robeisy Ramírez, the World Organization (WBO) featherweight world champion is going to Japan to defend his belt for the first time against another fighter who is also a two-time Olympian.
Robeisy "El Tren" Ramirez is ready to make the inaugural defense of his WBO featherweight world title against a fellow two-time Olympian.