WBC/WBO 140lbs champion Jose Ramirez had a tough time fathoming the precise boxing of an ice cool Viktor Postol, but persevered to prevail via majority decision at ‘The Bubble’ in the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on Saturday night. Scores were 116-112, 115-113 and 114-114.
Ramirez required a late rally, sweeping the final three rounds on two judges’ cards to eke out the win that keeps a unification bout with WBA Super and IBF title-holder Josh Taylor very much alive.
“I want to fight him in the U.K.,” Californian Ramirez told ESPN’s Bernardo Osuna afterwards. “The fight deserves to be in a big stadium in front of the U.K. fans.
“I went in there a little too cold, you know? I impressed myself. I’m much stronger than most guys think. I’ve just got to not lose confidence in myself and stick to what I do best and box, let my hands go and not hesitate too much. I think there was a little bit of hesitation throughout the fight.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the ring. There have been a lot of things that have happened in my personal life. It’s been such a long training camp. I think through the routine instead of, ‘Let’s fight’,
“I felt like I was just in a sparring session. I think I could’ve made the fight a lot easier in my favour, but we live and we learn. This was an amazing experience. I’m just happy I got the win.”
Ukrainian Postol, coached by Freddie Roach who previously trained the champion, used the ring parameter to stick, move and frustrate Ramirez (26-0, 17 KOs) early. The champion’s pressure gradually took a toll at midway, with Ramirez rocking his foe with right hands in the 10th, before Postol (31-3, 12 KOs) regrouped in a tense finale.
Taylor fights IBF mandatory Apinun Khongsong next on September 26 in London with a victory paving the way for a unification of all four major belts at 140lbs.
In other significant action, Californian 140lbs contender Arnold Barboza Jr. (24-0, 10 KOs) trumped sturdy Canadian Tony Luis (29-4, 10 KOs), with his only blemish being a point deduction for low blows. All three scores were 99-90.
“I haven’t fought since last November. I haven’t gone 10 rounds in a while. He was a tough guy,” said Barboza. “I needed the rounds. I showed a little bit of what I’ve been working on in the corner, going southpaw and all that. I give my performance a ‘B.’ I wasn’t really satisfied because I didn’t get the stoppage. It happens.
“I want Saucedo. I think me and him would be a great fight. I know he wants it. I want it, so we could probably get it on soon. If he’s ready, I’ll be ready.”
Red hot prospect Elvis ‘The Dominican Kid’ Rodriguez (9-0-1, 9 KOs) scored his seventh straight knockout, halting Cody Wilson (9-3, 6 KOs) with a left hand in the third round of a 144lbs catchweight encounter.
“We knew it was going to be a tough fight because I’m a 140lbs fighter, but this fight took place at 144lbs. I knew I had to be patient, but I knew that I could set up that knockout,” said Rodriguez.
“When someone like Freddie Roach, a Hall of Famer, a legendary trainer, [praises] someone like me, wow, that’s amazing. It’s also bringing some pressure because I have to perform. I know that under him, I’m going to continue to develop my skills, my talent, and I’m not going to let anyone down.”
Main image: Mikey Williams/Top Rank.