Golden Boy Promotions has burst into 2024 with a show-stopping acquisition in the super lightweight division, snagging none other than the former U.S. Olympian and ex-super lightweight World Champion, Jose Ramirez (28-1, 18 KOs).
José Ramirez, brimming with ambition, stated, “I’m gunning for that second world title, and I’m itching to stay in the ring this year.” He expressed his faith in Oscar and Golden Boy, seeing them as the perfect promoters to deliver both immediate action and those significant fights he craves. “I haven’t felt this fired up since I first laced up my gloves as a pro.”
Oscar De La Hoya, the Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy, couldn’t hide his excitement. “José Ramirez is a complete package – an Olympian, a two-time world champ, and he’s backed by a legion of devoted fans. We’re over the moon to have him join the Golden Boy family,” he said. Oscar’s game plan for Ramirez? Simple: Get him back in the ring pronto, pit him against the crème de la crème, and prove he’s still a titan in the super lightweight division.
Rick Mirigian, Ramirez’s manager, highlighted their strategic move. “We know our worth and needed a solid plan. Golden Boy stepped up to the plate, proving José is top priority with the deal they offered. The potential fights at 140 now are the crème de la crème in boxing, with Golden Boy firmly gripping the reins of this electrifying division.”
Hailing from the humble farming town of Avenal, California, the 31-year-old Ramirez has carved an impressive path since turning pro in 2012 post his Olympic stint. He rocketed up the rankings, clinching the WBC Super Lightweight World Championship in 2018 with a unanimous victory over Amir Imam at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden. His title defenses read like a who’s who – Antonio Orozco, Jose Zepeda, and then unifying the WBC and WBO titles against Maurice Hooker in 2019. He kept his grip tight on the belts against Viktor Postol in 2020. Shaking off his sole defeat to Josh Taylor in a bid for undisputed glory in 2021, he came back stronger, racking up wins against Jose Pedraza and Richard Commey in the following years.