East L.A.’s Julian Ramirez Remains Undefeated on LA Fight Club Show

DOWNTOWN L.A.-East L.A.’s Julian “El Camaron” Ramirez returned to face Mexico’s Raul Hidalgo before a large hometown crowd at Belasco Theater. Despite looking for the knockout it wasn’t to be on Thursday night.

It was a good learning lesson for Ramirez (14-0, 8 Kos) faced a veteran puncher in Hidalgo (23-13, 17 Kos), who had more than 30 pro fights and knows a thing or two. The crowd of more than 1,000 at the Golden Boy Promotions LA Fight Club saw a fast rising prospect show why he’s so highly prized.

Ramirez isn’t the biggest puncher but he knows how to use his southpaw stance to his advantage. Plus, he’s deadly accurate with all of his punches and can land counters from a distance. He’s also not the fastest but accuracy makes up for everything.

After four rounds Hidalgo seemed to realize he couldn’t deal with Ramirez and slowly but surely slipped into survival mode. Ramirez for all of his tenacity attempted a variety of attack strategies but when a veteran wants to survive, there’s usually nothing anyone can do.

Quick shots to the body and head by Ramirez landed in every round. Hidalgo tried to counter but seldom was able to even touch the East L.A. fighter. Ramirez owned the first five rounds but in the sixth he stepped on the gas and you could see from his pace that it was knockout time. He hurt Hidalgo with an uppercut and some combos and that was the end of the competitive portion of the fight.

“I want to be fighting the best. He’s a strong fast fighter. I tried to use my experience,” said Hidalgo.

Ramirez won every round according to the judges, 100-90 on all three cards.

“It was a great learning experience. He was holding but I had a hand free and I could have used it more,” said Ramirez. “I could have gone 10 more rounds.”

Other bouts

Glendora featherweight Joet Gonzalez (9-0, 4 Kos) remained undefeated with a second round knockout of Tijuana’s Ali Gonzalez (6-6-1). A left hook combination to the body and head sent the Mexican featherweight slumped to the floor where referee Wayne Hedgepeth counted him out for a knockout at 2:55 of round two.

“A lot of people came out to see me and it was my first fight for Golden Boy,” said Gonzalez, who is managed by Frank Espinoza. “I wanted to impress them.”

Brazilian southpaw Yamaguchi Falcao (5-0, 2 Kos) needed all six rounds to win by unanimous decision against Arkansas’s Deartie Tucker (2-1). Falcao had the quicker hands and feet but couldn’t set up Tucker for any big shots. Tucker absorbed some shots but hung on despite being tagged repeatedly in their super middleweight bout. The judges scored it 58-55 twice and 59-56 for Falcao.

“This fight surprised me. I couldn’t find my rhythm,” said Falcao. “I need to go back to the gym and train harder so the fans can see the real Yamaguchi.”

Brazil’s Everton Lopes didn’t take long to find Robert Seyam’s (2-3) soft spot. At 1:24 of the first round a left cross to the liver sent Seyam down for the count in their junior welterweight clash.

“I’m very happy with the results and for the knockout,” said Lopes. “I’m ready for my next fight.”

Glendale’s tall southpaw welterweight Melsik Baghdasaryan (1-0) was too strong for Mexico City’s Mario Angeles (1-7-2) in the opening bout. Strong left hands from Baghdarsaryan kept Angeles in reverse for two rounds. In the third a barrage of blows forced referee to halt the fight at 2:10 of the round. Baghdasaryan walked into the ring with UFC superstar Ronda Rousey and trainer Edmund Tarverdyan.

“I’m a former kickboxing champion. I realize I have to relax and throw more combinations,” said Baghdasaryan. “I’m boxing now because I like a challenge.”

Tarverdyan, who trains both Baghdasaryan and Rousey, said time will tell.

“He did a great job tonight,” Tarverdyan said.

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