Robeisy Ramirez Looks To Future After WBO Title Win Over Dogboe

There was adversity for former two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez, when he lost his first pro bout. However, since then, he’s been on a mission to overcome and win a world title. And, that happened Saturday night in an impressive decision over Issac Dogboe to capture the WBO featherweight title in the Top Rank Boxing/ESPN+ main event from Tulsa, OK.

Good night, Tulsa. #RamirezDogboe pic.twitter.com/CcQfsVnEkU

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 2, 2023

The the 29-year-old Ramirez (12-1, 7 KOs) won for the 12th straight time, as he wobbled Dogboe early in the fight to set the tone with a counter left hand and then, began a relentless attack. While the former WBO 122 lb. champ Dogboe stood inside and began landing some body shots in the early rounds, the southpaw Ramirez was constantly first with his right jab and solid lefts behind it. Ramirez established control and used his footwork and feints began to keep Dogboe at distance, while the left, his best weapon, kept finding the mark throughout the bout.

Ramirez was credited with a knockdown in the final round from a straight left, though Dogboe disputed that it was actually a slip. The sequence was reviewed at ringside by instant replay after the final bell, but was upheld as a knockdown. That momentary debate had no bearing on the final cards, as the Cuban Ramirez, won going by convincing scores of 117-110, 118-109 and 119-108.

Ramirez said through an interpreter to ESPN in the ring, “I’m living a new stage in my life. This is a new history that I’m writing, and I did everything I had to do. As an Olympian, I won two Olympic gold medals, and now I can call myself a champion.”

IS ROBEISY SENSING HIS MOMENT?? 👀 #RamirezDogboe pic.twitter.com/fvNYFSP9dE

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 2, 2023

“All the respect to a warrior like Isaac Dogboe. He has my admiration, and all it took was me listening to this genius, Ismael Salas, because I did that, and he led me to victory.

“I believe things happened for a reason. If it wasn’t for that loss in my pro debut, I would have never ended up with Ismael Salas. Yordenis Ugas never would’ve told me, ‘You have to move to Vegas, you have to change your life,’ and I never would have gotten this team together to be where I am today.”

What he is now is a champion at 126 lb. with a couple of interesting options. More on that in a moment.

As for the tough veteran Dogboe, who had won four fights after featherweight after Emanuel Navarrete had beaten him twice to take his junior featherweight crown, he felt the fight was closer.

“Let’s run it back. That’s all I have to say. He’s a great fighter…If he’s a true champion let’s run it back. He’s a great fighter but let’s have a rematch. I’ll tell you this, I’ll be back,” he said to ESPN.

Meanwhile, in the co-feature, featherweight contender Joet Gonzalez, 26-3, 15 KOs, needed another win to keep his hopes alive for another world title opportunity, which could now come against Ramirez, and he got it. Gonzalez controlled his bout with Jose Enrique Vivas on his way to a 10 round unanimous decision.

Gonzalez and Vivas, 22-3, 11 KOs, spent the entire fight in the center of the ring, exchanging short hooks, overhand rights and uppercuts at close range. In the later rounds, Gonzalez began using his jab and created some distance, but not for long. He still landed the more significant punches throughout the bout.

These two have gas tanks like no other 😳#RamirezDogboe | LIVE on @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/vKMANX4d6t

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 2, 2023

Gonzalez prevailed by scores of 98-92 on two cards and 99-91 on the third, thus preserving his chances of earning a third title shot. He fell short by decision in previous title challenges to Shakur Stevenson and Navarrete. Back to Ramirez, the new champ will be very interested in another significant 126 lb. title bout upcoming.

That’s when IBF champ Luis Alberto Lopez will defend his belt for the first time against fellow Top Rank fighter Michael Conlan on May 27 in Conlan’s hometown of Belfast, Northern Ireland. A unification bout with Ramirez seems very possible for later in 2023.