José Carlos Ramírez (born August 12, 1992) is an American professional boxer. He is a former unified champion at light welterweight, having held the World Boxing Council (WBC) title from 2018 to 2021 and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) title from 2019 to 2021. As an amateur he represented the United States at the 2012 Olympics.

Amateur career

Ramírez won the United States national amateur boxing championships Lightweight tournament at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He's also a Jr. Golden Gloves National Champion, two-time Jr. Olympic National Champion, and a two-time Ringside World Champion. His family currently lives in Avenal, California where he's lived all his life. Jose qualified to represent the United States at the 2012 Olympics by defeating 2008 Olympian Raynell Williams 21-16 in the finals of the 2012 United States Olympic Boxing Trials. Ramírez beat Rachid Azzedine and then lost to Fazliddin Gaibnazarov at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Professional career

Early career Ramírez turned professional in 2012 and has been promoted by Bob Arum as a Top Rank fighter since the same year.José Ramirez el nuevo fichaje de Top Rank - Solo Boxeo, November 14, 2012

After compiling a perfect 15-0 record, Ramírez beat Johnny Garcia by unanimous decision on December 5, 2015 to win the vacant WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title. He would go on to defend the title a total of four times.

WBC light welterweight champion

Ramírez vs. Imam On March 17, 2018, Ramírez defeated Amir Imam by unanimous decision with scores of 120-108, 117-111 and 115-113 to win the vacant WBC super lightweight title. Ramírez had badly swelled Imam's right eye and landed all kinds of hard punches throughout the fight.

Ramírez vs. Orozco In his next fight, Ramírez faced Antonio Orozco, then #3 by the WBC at light welterweight, at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. In an action-packed fight, the defending champion managed to drop his opponent twice, once in the fourth, and once in the eighth round. Despite the two knockdowns, Orozco gave his all and even was the aggressor at times. In the end, it was a clear win for Ramírez, all three judges scoring the fight 119-107 in favor of the champion.

Ramírez vs. Zepeda In his next title defense, Ramírez faced Jose Zepeda, ranked #14 by the WBC at light welterweight. Zepeda was winning the early rounds of the fight. Ramírez started to gain control of the fight in the fourth round. Ramírez finished the fight strong, especially in the last 20 seconds, unleashing power shots on Zepeda. Ramírez won the fight via majority decision in a very competitive fight.

Unified light welterweight champion

Ramírez vs. Hooker On July 27, 2019, Ramírez fought undefeated WBO light welterweight champion Maurice Hooker in a unification fight. In an action-packed fight, Ramírez first managed to drop Hooker in the opening round, and despite replays showing that Ramírez had stepped on Hooker's foot, it was ruled an official knockdown. As the rounds went on, the fight slowed down, which seemed to favor Hooker. However, in the sixth round, Ramírez connected on a left hand to the chin, followed by another big left to the head, which sent Hooker reeling against the ropes. As Hooker was helpless, the referee stopped the fight with 1:48 to go in the round, awarding Ramírez the technical knockout victory.

Ramírez vs. Postol On August 29, 2020, Ramírez defended his WBC and WBO titles against former WBC champion Viktor Postol, winning a majority decision with scores of 116-112, 115-113, 114-114.

Ramírez vs. Taylor

On May 22, 2021, Ramírez attempted to become the first undisputed champion of Mexican descent when he faced undefeated unified champion Josh Taylor in Paradise, Nevada in a showdown for the undisputed light welterweight championship. Ramírez was knocked down twice in the sixth and seventh rounds, both times by Taylor's left hand, and ultimately lost by unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the bout 114-112 in favor of Taylor.

Continued light welterweight career Ramírez vs. Pedraza On October 30, 2021, it was revealed that Ramírez would face the former two-weight world champion José Pedraza on February 5, 2022, in the main event of an ESPN broadcast Top Rank card. The bout was later postponed for March 4, as Pedraza fell ill with flu-like symptoms. Ramirez won the bout by unanimous decision in a competitive fight, By all judges scoring it 116-112.

Ramírez vs. Barthelemy Ramírez was scheduled to face Rances Barthelemy on April 27, 2024 at Save Mart Center in Fresno, CA. The outing was his first fight promoted by Golden Boy. Ramírez won the fight by unanimous decision.

Ramírez vs. Barboza Jr On November 16, 2024, Ramirez faced Arnold Barboza Jr. in a ten-round bout at The Venue Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Barboza Jr. emerged victorious via unanimous decision, with judges scoring the fight 97-93 and 96-94 twice in his favor.

Ramírez vs. Haney Ramírez fought Devin Haney in Times Square, New York, on 2 May 2025, and lost by unanimous decision.

Ramírez vs. Rocha Ramírez suffered his third defeat in succession when he lost to Alexis Rocha via unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, on 12 September 2026.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes33Loss29–4Alexis RochaUD10Sep 12, 202632Loss29–3Devin HaneyUD12May 2, 202531Loss29–2Arnold Barboza Jr.UD10Nov 16, 202430Win29–1Rances BarthelemyUD12Apr 27, 202429Win28–1Richard CommeyKO11 (12), Mar 26, 202328Win27–1José PedrazaUD12Mar 4, 202227Loss26–1Josh TaylorUD12May 22, 202126Win26–0Viktor PostolMD12Aug 29, 202025Win25–0Maurice HookerTKO6 (12), Jul 27, 201924Win24–0Jose ZepedaMD12Feb 10, 201923Win23–0Antonio OrozcoUD12Sep 14, 201822Win22–0Amir ImamUD12Mar 17, 201821Win21–0Mike ReedKO2 (10), Nov 11, 201720Win20–0Jake GiuriceoTKO2 (10), May 5, 201719Win19–0Issouf KindaKO6 (10), Dec 2, 201618Win18–0Tomas MendezKO4 (10), Jul 9, 201617Win17–0Manuel PérezUD10Apr 9, 201616Win16–0Johnny GarciaUD8Dec 5, 201515Win15–0Ryusei Yoshida3 (8), Jul 18, 201514Win14–0Robert FrankelKO5 (8), May 9, 201513Win13–0Antonio ArellanoTKO6 (6), Dec 13, 201412Win12–0David RodelaKO1 (8), Oct 25, 201411Win11–0Alfred RomeroUD8Aug 2, 2014 10Win10–0Jesus SeligKO2 (6), May 17, 20149Win9–0Boyd HenleyTKO2 (6), Mar 29, 20148Win8–0Javier PerezTKO1 (6), Feb 1, 20147Win7–0Erick Hernandez Perez1 (6), Nov 9, 20136Win6–0Daniel CalzadaUD4Sep 28, 20135Win5–0Mike MaldonadoTKO1 (6), Aug 17, 20134Win4–0Christopher WilliamsTKO1 (4), Jun 29, 20133Win3–0Antonio Martinez4Apr 27, 20132Win2–0Charlie DubrayTKO1 (4), Mar 30, 20131Win1–0Corey Seigwarth1 (4), Dec 8, 2012

Personal life Ramírez is of Mexican descent, his parents are from the state of Michoacán.

See also List of world light-welterweight boxing champions List of Mexican boxing world champions

References

External links

Jose Ramírez Amateur record at Boxing scoop José Ramírez - Profile, News Archive & Current Rankings at Box.Live