Fight Recap: Ramirez and Ortiz Jr. Thrill Fresno Fans

You won't find many communities more excited about live boxing than the unlikely California Central Valley city of Fresno, California. “Our Farmers And Farm Workers Feed The World” proclaimed the message on the ring canvas.

Saturday, those fans set the record for attendance at the Save Mart Arena for a Golden Boy Boxing card featuring the return of native son Jose Ramirez, Jr. and undefeated power puncher Vergil Ortiz, Jr.

Ramirez Roughed Up By Barthelomy In Return

Jose Ramirez showed determination after getting rattled by Rances Barthelemy. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Jose Ramirez of Avenal, California (28-1, 18 KOs) and Rances Barthelemy of Las Vegas (30-2-1, 15 KOs) delivered a more thrilling and competitive fight than expected. The two went the distance after Ramirez survived some scares, winning by decision. The wide scorecards of  119-109, 119-109, and 118-110 for Ramirez didn’t reflect the fight narrative.

In his first fight in 13 months and second in three years, Ramirez admitted later the inactivity caused him problems. The 38-year-old Barthelemy found a home for his hard left hook from a southpaw stance and rocked Ramirez several times.

It nearly cost Ramirez the fight when he took a left body shot and hook to the head in succession in the fourth round. In his excitement, Barthelemy kept punching and landed multiple illegal shots when Ramirez was down.

Referee Jack Reiss called the knockdown a push, telling Barthelemy,“No knockdown. Listen to me, you punched him twice while he was down!”

Judge it for yourself.

Was this a knockdown to you? 🤔#RamirezBarthelemy | LIVE on DAZN tune in now pic.twitter.com/6aX7vqCsXV

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) April 28, 2024

Ramirez: ‘I was distracted'

“During that moment in the round, I got distracted,” said Ramirez. “I got hit with one punch. It motivated him. If that wouldn’t have happened, I would have broke his spirit. It kept him in the fight, He thought he could do it again.”

Ramirez made it to his corner, but he was roughed up. Ramirez decided to fight fire with fire through the next few rounds, backing up Barthelemy and pinning him to the ropes while unloading.

The Fresno fans were treated to an all-action fight. Jose Ramirez undoubtedly hoped he'd have an easier night in his return. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

The rest of the fight progressed the same way, with the Fresno fans roaring their approval. Ramirez delivered more offense, but Barthelemy would score with another hard left hand.

At the end of the tenth round with Ramirez going strong and Barthelemy losing steam, referee Reiss told the Cuban’s corner he would stop the fight if Barthelemy didn’t fight back.

The pair continued to the final bell, with Ramirez working much harder than he might have expected to get the victory. He knew it and said so after the bout.

Jose Ramirez admitted it wasn't the best performance. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

“Listen, it wasn’t the best performance of my career. I think I got overly excited. I could hear people screaming my name and see their faces,” said Ramirez, who added that it distracted him during the fight.

“I fought twice in the last three years. Obviously, it’s not a good look. I was a little rusty in there,” admitted Ramirez.

“An inactive fighter, that’s not good. You live, you learn. I’ll go back to the drawing board, back to the gym, and get ready. I have what it takes to beat the best 140-pounders.

“I like to go in there and leave my heart instead of boxing. That’s what the fans like to watch. I apologize for giving them that version of Jose Ramirez. I need to get back in the gym and get started where I left off.”

CompuBox stats for Ramirez vs. Barthelemy.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. Clears Path To Tim Tsyzu With Knockout Win

Vergil Ortiz Jr. said he knew the left hook he landed was the knockout punch. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Vergil Ortiz Jr. of Grand Prairie, Texas (21-0, 21 KOs) didn’t waste any time getting past veteran Thomas Dulorme of Puerto Rico (26-7-1, 17 KOs). Ortiz Jr. took out his former sparring partner with a wicked left hook to the body. Dulorme instantly fell to the canvas, curled into a fetal position.

Dulorme was obviously done for the night as referee Thomas Taylor waved off the fight without a count at 2:39 of round one.

Ortiz Jr. said he was happy with his performance. “It was a very calculated shot, he was coming with everything. I could feel it behind his jabs, his hooks. I’m more than just power. I’m a truck, this truck is thinking over here.”

Vergil Oritz Jr. and his team can now look forward to his showdown with Tim Tszyu on August 3. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Ortiz Jr. said he knew the fight was over when he landed the punch. “It’s just, I can’t really explain it in words. I just know it. I know it’s over. I heard him make a sound, and the way he fell, it was a wrap.”

Earlier in the week, a bout between Ortiz Jr. and former super welterweight champion Tim Tszyu was confirmed as part of the August 3 Riyadh Season card at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

“I feel like everything is where it needs to be. Everything is in place. We’re ready to face the top dogs.” Ortiz Jr. turned to the camera to address his opponent.

👀 @VergilOrtiz has a message for @Tim_Tszyu #RamirezBarthelemy | April 27 pic.twitter.com/7CVdl28LdR

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) April 28, 2024

Tszyu was watching and posted his response.

Me and @VergilOrtiz is the real main event. See you soon buddy !

— Tim Tszyu (@Tim_Tszyu) April 28, 2024

Asked if he was ready to step up, Ortiz Jr. replied, “I just want to fight the best. I don’t care if it’s the right time or not. They put them in front of me, I take them out. That’s my job.”

Working again with trainer Robert Garcia, Ortiz Jr. could have benefitted from more rounds before facing Tszyu. But more rounds also mean the potential for a cut or injury, so Ortiz Jr. will have to work toward the challenge in the gym.

Duarte Defeats Diaz Jr.

Oscar Duarte bounced back from his loss to Ryan Garcia with a stoppage win over Joseph Diaz Jr. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Oscar Duarte of Chihuahua, Mexico (27-2-1, 22 KOs) came back from his TKO loss in January to Ryan Garcia, making a statement by being the first man to stop the tough Joseph Diaz Jr. of South El Monte, California (33-6-1, 15 KOs).

Diaz Jr. came in prepared and in his best shape in many fights. He performed well for the first three rounds, boxing and landing the body shots that have served him well.

But the younger man began to take Diaz Jr. apart. In the fourth round, he rocked Diaz Jr. with a hard right hook, buckling his knees.

Oscar Duarte broke Joseph Diaz Jr. down and stopped him for the first time in his pro career. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Goiden Boy Boxing

Diaz Jr. hung in, but continued to take more punishment than he was dishing out. At 2:32 of round nine, his corner threw in the towel just as the referee decided to stop the fight on his own.

“I felt really good,” said Duarte. “I had an amazing preparation with all my Mexico and the Robert Garcia team. I felt like I was fully there, really good.”

Duarte expressed his appreciation to the Fresno fans. for their support, and had kind words for his opponent. JoJo is a great fighter. He was a world champion and an Olympian.”

Diaz Jr. took the loss in stride. “That's boxing,” said Diaz Jr., saying there are always ups and downs. He thanked Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Boxing. At age 31, after rough losses and challenges outside the ring, no one would be surprised if Diaz Jr. retired. But he said he would return.

The best news is that Diaz Jr. appears healthy, sober, and happy. This is his most significant victory.

Alaniz Gets Revenge and Belts From Esparza

Gabriela “Chucky” Alaniz was the more aggressive fighter, and it gave her a majority decision win over Marlen Esparza. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Gabriela “Chucky” Alaniz of Argentina (15-1, 6 KOs) made her rematch count against Marlen Esparza of Houston, Texas (14-2, 1 KO). Alaniz turned the tables in her favor this time, winning the WBC, WBO, WBA, and Ring Magazine world flyweight titles.

Alaniz scored a split decision victory with scores of 97-93 and 96-94, with the third card wide for Esparza at 98-92.

“I’m very happy. The belts are coming back to Argentina,” said Alaniz. “The secret to winning against her was just knowing her. Right now, I just want to go home and celebrate with my family until whatever is next.”

Gabriela “Chucky” Alaniz of Argentina and her team celebrate her win over Marlen Esparza. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Esparza failed to make weight on Friday, with the belts available only to Alaniz. She was the clear aggressor in a fight similar to the first one, forcing Esparza back more and generating greater offensive output. CompuBox stats showed Alaniz landing 192 of 779 punches thrown (25%) against 132 of 473 punches for Esparza (28%).

Gabriela Alaniz outlanded Marlen Esparza by 60 punches over ten rounds. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Esparza said she expected to hear the scorecards read in her favor. “She doesn’t really do much, and I thought I was ahead of her.” Esparza said she wants a third fight, and if successful, a fight against her longtime foe Seniesa Estrada.

Asked about a third fight, Alaniz declined for now. “I just know I won't be giving Marlen the rematch like how she didn’t want to give it to me. I want to thank the media for supporting me in my career and through this moment,” said Alaniz.

Raul Curiel Rolls On

Raul Curiel scored two knockdowns with body shots, and the second gave him a knockout victory. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

In the opening bout, Raul Curiel of Tampico, Mexico (15-0, 13 KOs) stopped Jorge Marron Jr. of Lakeside, California (20-5-2, 7 KOs) just halfway through the first round to remain undefeated in the welterweight division. Curiel drilled and dropped Marron Jr. twice with body shots.

Referee Thomas Taylor didn’t give the overwhelmed Marron Jr. much leeway, jumping in to stop the action.

Raul Curiel only needed one round to stop Jorge Marron Jr. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Curiel is a 2016 Mexican Olympian trained by Freddie Roach.