Connect with us

Canada and USA

Ramirez vs. O’Connor: Stepping Stone or Mismatch?

When a bloated James Toney fought Denis Lebedev in Moscow in 2015 with the WBA cruiserweight title somehow at stake, I feared for the global road warrior’s welfare but he got through it. Meanwhile, the fearsome

Share The Sweet Science experience!

Published

on

fearsome

When a bloated James Toney fought Denis Lebedev in Moscow in 2015 with the WBA cruiserweight title somehow at stake, I feared for the global road warrior’s welfare but he got through it. Meanwhile, the fearsome looking Russian got another legendary notch –Calzaghe style–on his belt.

A totally shot Danny Williams had lost eight straight bouts when he fought comebacking Oleg Maskaev in 2013 in Krasnodar. Despite dire predictions, he also got through it and is still fighting today (though he should not be). For the “Brixton Bomber,” every time he steps up, it’s a mismatch or a stepping stone or both. It’s more likely a stepping stone for others because way back in 2004 Williams defeated Mike Tyson and it’s not everybody who gets the chance to beat the man who beat the man.

Since September 2003, Antwun “Kid Dynamite” Echols has lit few fuses and has only one win (against a winless opponent) in 21 attempts. His level of opposition has been scary and each time he fought during that terrible period, it was a mismatch.  Now get this: When he drew with Ruben “Mr. Hollywood” Williams in 2007, Ruben was 29-2 and a multiple title-contender and holder of several regional titles. But after the draw, Mr. Hollywood dropped 30—yes 30!—in a row. He fights on, but his last nine have ended before the last round.

As Echols and Williams can attest, sometimes publicized stepping-stone fights are more predictable mismatches than not. In either case, they take on a more ominous tone.

Ramirez vs. O’Connor

On July 7, popular California homeboy Jose Carlos Ramirez (22-0, 16 KOs) will go up against Boston area’s Danny O‘Connor (30-3, 11 KOs) at the Save Mart Arena in Fresno. At stake is Ramirez’s WBC World Super Lightweight Title that he won by beating Amir Imam in March at Madison Square Garden.

Although this is a title fight, many are considering it a stepping stone for Ramirez (pictured) who is expected to fight rugged Regis Prograis after he dispatches O’Connor. But Prograis must first get by Juan Jose Velasco (20-0) on July 14.

Ramirez’s level of opposition has been solid; in fact, he counts a KO win over previously unbeaten Mike Reed among his recent victims.

As an amateur, Ramirez represented the U.S at the 2012 Olympics. He is socially conscious, having fought at least six bouts dubbed “Fight for Water” to promote water rights for California farmers. As a son of Mexican immigrants, he also fights for immigration reform. Of his forthcoming fight, he says “I’m blessed to have this opportunity (to defend my title before my home fans). I dedicate this fight to the immigrants that contribute to and make our society a better place. I’m pro-immigrant and proud.” These causes have made him a great draw and the pride of California’s Central Valley.

Danny O’Connor’s amateur record is also impressive as he was the 2007 U.S. Olympic Trials bronze medalist and the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate. A four-time New England Golden Gloves champion, he won the 2008 National Golden Gloves tournament as a light welterweight and compiled a record of 110-11.

Dispensing with trash talk, O’Connor had this to say: “I have been waiting for this opportunity since the day I put my first pair of gloves on. I embrace the chance to do battle with a great warrior such as Jose Ramirez…I believe we have a legitimate shot at winning the world title and fulfilling my lifelong dream…”

In his last fight, on St. Patrick’s Day in Boston, O’Connor rallied from a seventh-round knockdown to win a 10-round unanimous decision over talented Canadian Steve Claggett. That knockdown may have had ominous undertones that track back to 2015 when his career looked all but over following a brutal first-round knockout loss to Gabe Bracero. It’s that loss that makes this upcoming fight complicated for Danny O.

Why?

First: 26 of Danny’s 33 fights have been fought in New England where a large contingent of fans from Framingham, MA, is always on hand to chant and cheer for their favorite son. That will not be the case on July 7. He will be loudly booed. By contrast, Ramirez has fought and won in New York, Macau, Las Vegas, and Austin, Texas, among other locales, and his fights recently have drawn large crowds. When he fought Issouf Kinda at the very same Save Mart Center on December 2, 2016, 13,700 fans showed up.

Second:  Ramirez has heavy hands; O’Connor does not. When Danny beat Hector Munoz at Foxwoods in 2013, it was 10 torturous rounds for those spectators who were not from Massachusetts. Luckily, GGG was in the main event. Barring a bad cut, Danny’s chances of stopping Ramirez are somewhere between zero and none.

Third: When the affable and game Irishman from Framingham first fought Brooklyn’s Gabe Bracero at the Event Center in Laredo, Texas in 2011, he was dominated and lost just about every round. Both fighters were undefeated at the time and both had few stoppages on their respective ledgers. In fact, Gabe had only one. The two met again in 2015 in Lowell, MA, and this time the feather-fisted Bracero knocked out Danny with a near decapitation generated by a perfectly timed overhand right not a minute into the first round. The sound of O’Connor’s head bouncing off the canvas was chilling.

Now there are scares and there are scares, but this one had the entire crowd hushed. Bracero was seen praying in his corner. Danny remained on the canvas for several minutes but finally arose to a collective sigh of relief. He had no idea where he was or what had just occurred. (This writer has only witnessed one as frightening and that was when Bruce Finch KOd Javier Ayala at the Silver Slipper in Las Vegas in 1980.) The punch that sedated O’Connor had to be a career-altering one, notwithstanding the fact that Danny came back in a little less than a year and subsequently ran off  four straight wins to earn his title shot against Ramirez.

This time, however, he is up against the best and will need a miracle to fend off the skilled Californian. Stepping stone for Ramirez to Prograis? Absolutely. Mismatch? Quite possibly.

Ted Sares is one of the oldest active full power lifters in the world and is a four-time winner of the EPF’s Grand Master championship. A member of Ring 4’s Boxing Hall of Fame, he was recently cited by Hannibal Boxing as one of three “Must-Read” boxing writers.

Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel

To comment on this article at The Fight Forum, CLICK HERE.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective,-Chap.-323:-Benn-vs-Eubank-Family-Feud-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 323: Benn vs Eubank Family Feud and More

Chris-Eubank-Jr-Outlasts-Conor-Benn-at-Tottenham-Hotsour-Stadium
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Chris Eubank Jr Outlasts Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Jorge-Garcia-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-April
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Jorge Garcia is the TSS Fighter of the Month for April

Rolly-Romero-Upsets-Ryan-Garcia-in-the-Finale-of-a-Times-Square-Tripleheader
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Rolly Romero Upsets Ryan Garcia in the Finale of a Times Square Tripleheader

Avila-Perspective-Chap-324-Ryan-Garcia-Leads-Three-Days-in-May-Battles
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 324: Ryan Garcia Leads Three Days in May Battles

Undercard-Results-and-Recaps-from-the-Inoue-Cardenas-Show-in-Las-Vegas
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Undercard Results and Recaps from the Inoue-Cardenas Show in Las Vegas

Canelo-Alvarez-Upends-Dancing-Machine-William-Scull-in-Saudi-Arabia
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Canelo Alvarez Upends Dancing Machine William Scull in Saudi Arabia

Bombs-Away-in-Las-Vegas-where-Inoue-and-Espinoza-Scored-Smashing-Triumphs
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Bombs Away in Las Vegas where Inoue and Espinoza Scored Smashing Triumphs

Thomas-Hauser's-Literary-Notes-Johnny-Greaves-Tells-a-Sad-Tale
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Thomas Hauser’s Literary Notes: Johnny Greaves Tells a Sad Tale

Arne's-Almanac-The-Good-the-Bad-and-the-(mostly)-Ugly-A-Weeend-Boxing-Recap-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Arne’s Almanac: The Good, the Bad, and the (Mostly) Ugly; a Weekend Boxing Recap and More

Stephen-Breadman-Edwards-An-Unlikely-Boxing-Coach-with-a-Panoramic-View-of-the-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

“Breadman” Edwards: An Unlikely Boxing Coach with a Panoramic View of the Sport

Avila-Perspective-Chap-326-Top-Rank-and-San-Diego-Smoke
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: Top Rank and San Diego Smoke

Late-Bloomer-Anthony-Cacace-TKOs-Hometown-Favorite-Leigh-Wood-in-Nottingham
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Late Bloomer Anthony Cacace TKOs Hometown Favorite Leigh Wood in Nottingham

Argentina's-Fernando-Martinez-Wins-His-Rematch-with-Kazuto-Ioka
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Argentina’s Fernando Martinez Wins His Rematch with Kazuto Ioka

Emanuel-Navarrete-Survives-a-Bloody-Battle-with-Charly-Suarez-in-San-Diego
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Emanuel Navarrete Survives a Bloody Battle with Charly Suarez in San Diego

Sam-Goodman-and-Eccentric-Harry-Garside-Score-Wins-on-a-Wednesday-Card-in-Sydney
Featured Articles1 week ago

Sam Goodman and Eccentric Harry Garside Score Wins on a Wednesday Card in Sydney

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles6 days ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Avila-Perspective-Chap-326-A-Hectic-Boxing-Week-in-LA
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: A Hectic Boxing Week in L.A.

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles6 days ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

David-Allen-Bursts-Johnny-Fisher's-Bubble-at-the-Copper-Box
Featured Articles7 days ago

David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles11 hours ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles15 hours ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 days ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles6 days ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles6 days ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

David-Allen-Bursts-Johnny-Fisher's-Bubble-at-the-Copper-Box
Featured Articles7 days ago

David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

Avila-Perspective-Chap-326-A-Hectic-Boxing-Week-in-LA
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: A Hectic Boxing Week in L.A.

Sam-Goodman-and-Eccentric-Harry-Garside-Score-Wins-on-a-Wednesday-Card-in-Sydney
Featured Articles1 week ago

Sam Goodman and Eccentric Harry Garside Score Wins on a Wednesday Card in Sydney

Thomas-Hauser's-Literary-Notes-Johnny-Greaves-Tells-a-Sad-Tale
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Thomas Hauser’s Literary Notes: Johnny Greaves Tells a Sad Tale

Argentina's-Fernando-Martinez-Wins-His-Rematch-with-Kazuto-Ioka
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Argentina’s Fernando Martinez Wins His Rematch with Kazuto Ioka

Emanuel-Navarrete-Survives-a-Bloody-Battle-with-Charly-Suarez-in-San-Diego
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Emanuel Navarrete Survives a Bloody Battle with Charly Suarez in San Diego

Late-Bloomer-Anthony-Cacace-TKOs-Hometown-Favorite-Leigh-Wood-in-Nottingham
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Late Bloomer Anthony Cacace TKOs Hometown Favorite Leigh Wood in Nottingham

Avila-Perspective-Chap-326-Top-Rank-and-San-Diego-Smoke
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: Top Rank and San Diego Smoke

Stephen-Breadman-Edwards-An-Unlikely-Boxing-Coach-with-a-Panoramic-View-of-the-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

“Breadman” Edwards: An Unlikely Boxing Coach with a Panoramic View of the Sport

Arne's-Almanac-The-Good-the-Bad-and-the-(mostly)-Ugly-A-Weeend-Boxing-Recap-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Arne’s Almanac: The Good, the Bad, and the (Mostly) Ugly; a Weekend Boxing Recap and More

Bombs-Away-in-Las-Vegas-where-Inoue-and-Espinoza-Scored-Smashing-Triumphs
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Bombs Away in Las Vegas where Inoue and Espinoza Scored Smashing Triumphs

Undercard-Results-and-Recaps-from-the-Inoue-Cardenas-Show-in-Las-Vegas
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Undercard Results and Recaps from the Inoue-Cardenas Show in Las Vegas

Canelo-Alvarez-Upends-Dancing-Machine-William-Scull-in-Saudi-Arabia
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Canelo Alvarez Upends Dancing Machine William Scull in Saudi Arabia

Rolly-Romero-Upsets-Ryan-Garcia-in-the-Finale-of-a-Times-Square-Tripleheader
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Rolly Romero Upsets Ryan Garcia in the Finale of a Times Square Tripleheader

Avila-Perspective-Chap-324-Ryan-Garcia-Leads-Three-Days-in-May-Battles
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 324: Ryan Garcia Leads Three Days in May Battles

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending