Jose Ramirez and Vergil Ortiz Jr. could appear on more fight cards together.
The pair both won Saturday in Fresno, California, as Ramirez picked up a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Rances Barthelemy and Ortiz stopped Thomas Dulorme in one round.
Ortiz (21-0, 21 KOs) and Ramirez (29-1, 17 KOs), who both train at Robert Garcia’s Boxing Academy in Riverside, California, have built a good rapport with one another. They spar, socialize and share a bond. Now it appears that the combination of the two contenders in their respective divisions – both managed by Rick Mirigian – could share more cards.
After the final bell on Saturday, Oscar De La Hoya, head of Golden Boy Promotions, briefly spoke to the media.
“It is very likely,” De La Hoya said of the likelihood of featuring Ortiz, a junior middleweight, and Ramirez, a junior welterweight, together on future cards. “Ever since I first met [Ramirez] many years ago, he was the hometown hero.”
Would it be in Fresno again, or would the fighters venture outside Ramirez’s local market, where he has built a strong fan base?
De La Hoya believes that the Central Valley fans are so loyal that they would travel to see Ramirez (and Ortiz) fight.
“I said it earlier, but this crowd here will follow them anywhere around the country. If they fight on the same card in Las Vegas, guess what? Las Vegas is going to be popping.”
Ramirez’s return was not without drama or faults. He was rocked by a 38-year-old and dropped (although referee Jack Reiss called the apparent knockdown a slip). De La Hoya cited a long layoff as part of the reason Ramirez had some rough moments in the fight.
“You guys have got to remember, he has been off for over a year,” De La Hoya said. “Then fighting in front of your hometown, that is another extra pressure.”
What can be expected next from Ramirez, whether he is joined by Ortiz or not? The two opponents Team Ramirez seems to be targeting are Ryan Garcia or the fighter Garcia recently beat, Devin Haney.
Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.