Jose Ramirez and Vergil Ortiz Jr. Host Fresno Press Conference Ahead of Doubleheader

Former unified super lightweight world champion Jose Ramirez (28-1, 18 KOs) and undefeated KO specialist Vergil Ortiz Jr. (20-0, 20 KOs) have hosted a press conference in Fresno, California along with Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya. They spoke to members of the press while meeting with farmworkers who help feed the nation.

This press conference comes ahead of their Golden Boy promoted card, live on DAZN, where it will be Ramirez vs. Rances Barthelemy in a 12-round super lightweight fight and Ortiz vs. Thomas Dulorme in a 10-round super welterweight fight. The event will take place at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

Jose Ramirez and Vergil Ortiz Jr. Host Fresno Press Conference

Jose Ramirez Looks Forward to Fresno Bout

“I am super blessed to be here. I want to thank my team, Golden Boy, my sponsors and my family for supporting me.”  He continued: “I am really happy that we can bring this level of an event to Fresno. I am proud to represent my home of the Central Valley. We want to be able to spotlight this area and show the world that we have some of the hardest working people here that feed the world.”

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Speaking on his Golden Boy debut, Ramirez said: “I have been training hard for five weeks in Riverside with Robert Garcia, and there are less than 4 weeks left until fight night. I can’t wait to see everyone come out for my first fight with Golden Boy.” 

Vergil Ortiz Jr. Aiming for World Title Shot

“I am really excited to be fighting for the first time in Fresno. I spent some time here during my recovery, and I absolutely loved it here,” said Ortiz.

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He continued: “I am excited to be back. I want to stay active – I want to fight at least four times this year. Being the co-main event to Ramirez is an honour, we sparred each other at the beginning of my career. I know I am close to a world championship fight, and hopefully that will happen this year.” 

Oscar De La Hoya Has High Hopes

“For Jose’s first fight under the Golden Boy banner, he wanted to make a statement and fight Barroso for the world title who said he was unavailable. Ramirez then went to #1 contender Sandor Martin who also was unavailable. Proving that he will fight anyone, Jose will instead face a highly skilled, former two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy in a 12-round super lightweight fight.” 

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De La Hoya added: “A true knockout king, Vergil Ortiz Jr. is on the verge of an opportunity to become a world champion. He is a generational talent, who will show off his power to the Central Valley. We hope to keep him very busy this year; we are hoping that he fights at least four times a year.” 

A Golden Boy press release was used for this article.