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The dream has been realized. Now, it's time for Jose Ramirez to get to work
Ramirez (22-0, 16 KOs), of Avenal, CA, will make the first defense of his WBC Super Lightweight title against Danny O & # Connor (30 -3, 11 KOs) Saturday in front of a sold-out crowd at the Fresno Save Mart Center. Ramirez-O 'Connor and the clash between the welterweights between NABF champion Egidijus Kavaliauskas and Juan Carlos Abreu will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes starting at 9:30 pm ET.
The entirety of the undercard will be posted on ESPN + from 18:30. AND includes Andy Ruiz Jr. (30-1, 20 KOs) against Kevin Johnson (32-9-1, 16 KOs) in a 10-round, undefeated Andy Vences (20-0-1, 12 KOs) in defense. the WBC Continental Americas super-feather title against Frank De Alba (22-3-2, 9 KOs) in a 10 rounders, and Gabe Flores Jr., a 18-year-old prodigy (8-0, 5 KOs) against James De Herrera (4-3, 3 KOs) in a lightweight six round contest.
The fighters gathered Thursday at the final press conference at Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino. That's what they had to say
Jose Ramirez
"It's an honor for me to bring this type of fight, this guy In Central California, fighting my first title defense in front of my biggest fans, my closest friends and family, is a blessing. "
" We call this event "Protecting Home" because that we protect those who belong here, who fight every day and contribute to this community, we also protect what belongs to us, which is a world title. "
Passing from Freddie Roach to Robert Garcia as head coach
"I think what happened with this change was the loyalty and the fact that we do a lot outside of the ring as well Robert is a guy who comes from Oxnard, a community very similar to Central California. & Work ethic and what we represent, what we do. And he wants to be part of it. He is very motivated to coach me. He is very excited to coach me. It makes me easier to be motivated and be excited to stay in this sport. Freddie is a great man. He is very respected. He always respected me as a fighter, but he had so many world champions, and I needed to feel more of that loyalty and excitement on his part. And I think I found it now in Riverside with many undefeated prospects, good prospects and future world champions at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy. "
Danny O'Connor
" First and foremost, I am a father and a husband, so it's the most important. After suffering a knockout in the form of a first-round defeat against Gabriel Bracero in October 2015 when I had never been dropped in the gym before, I had to evaluate my personal health for to be sure that I could be that father. that husband that I had to be. It did not take much time for the sport, it was just a reassessment to make sure that I was OK mentally and physically and that I could still compete at the level where I was. needed to be in a fight like this.
"I am grateful to be in this position.I have worked very hard inside the ring and outside the ring to overcome so many problems. adversity to be here today I never resign I have never abandoned myself I have never lost hope. "
Egidijus Kavaliauskas
"I'm happy to be fighting in Fresno, it's near the place where I live in Oxnard .It's very good here.C & # 39; Saturday, it will be even hotter inside the ring.It will be a very good fight. "
Juan Carlos Abreu
" I feel very good, I'm ready to win the title in the Dominican Republic. "
Andy Ruiz Jr.
" My goal is to fight the big names. The key is to stay on track, from stay on the right foot and get in shape, and prepare for everything that will happen in 2018. "
" I am in good condition. After my last fight on March 10 {a first round stop on Devin Vargas}, I've been in the gym ever since. I'm training really hard, taking it more seriously. It is my time for this year and next year. The essential thing is to stay in shape and get ready.
Gabe Flores Jr.
"I sold a bunch of tickets here. I am happy that many people support me, and for my family to see me fighting, it is beautiful. There is only one person I wish to be here, and that is my mother. She is up there, but she is going to look at me, and she is going to give me the energy I need to fight.
On the construction of his hometown of Stockton California as a boxing market
"I have incredible support in Stockton , in California. We will be there eventually. It will take time, but I can not wait to fight in front of my people. "
Andy Vences
" {The fight of Erick De Leon} was a technical fight. This ended in a draw. I do what I always do. I looked back at the fight, saw what adjustments I could have made, and go ahead, these are the adjustments I'm going to show for this fight. The fans are in for that. They are going to get their money's worth because every time I fight at Save Mart Center, I bring stock, I bring knockouts. "
