Jose Ramirez to make his second title defense in Fresno
On February 10 at the Safe Mart Arena in Fresno, California, Jose Ramirez will make the second defense of the WBC junior welterweight title against #13 ranked contender Jose Zepeda. This clash will be televised on ESPN/ESPN Deportes.
Jose Ramirez (23-0, 16KO)
The defending champion has a style that can’t help but draw fans because of the excitement he brings. A pressure fighter who attacks behind a high guard, the champion is at his best when he attacks behind his jab and goes to the body.
For a fighter who likes to attack, Ramirez does so responsibly. He doesn’t just wade in; he instead applies skillful pressure using constant upper-body movement. Therefore, making him more of a difficult target to hit. The Fresno product also sports a savage body attack and his stamina is elite.
Keys to Victory
Pressure, get inside and work that body! The left hook to the body is Ramirez’s best punch. In watching tapes of Zepeda, you can hurt him up the gut.
For champ to win, he must be in his opponents face all fight long. Additionally, he must get to the body, wearing him down and eventually, out.
Jose Zepeda (30-1, 25KO)
Zepeda is essentially a boxer who likes to keep the fight at a distance. The challenger, from La Puente, California, favors fighters coming to him so he can counter-punch.
He is a southpaw who has a good jab, excellent hand and foot speed, as well as power in both hands. In watching film of Zepeda, he has shown toughness having risen off the deck to take fighters out.
One example includes his fifth round stoppage victory over Carlos Diaz Ramirez in June 2018. An interesting side-note, he will be trained for this fight by Freddie Roach; ironically the champion’s former trainer.
Keys to Victory
Put some hurt early on Ramirez and BOX. Zepeda has the faster hands and feet. Use those physical attributes to build an early lead.
It would also help if Zepeda can put some hurt on the champion, gaining confidence and causing Ramirez some worry and hesitation. Lastly, he must be in the condition of his life!
Prediction
Because of the mesh of styles, this bout looks to be a good on paper. The question is, does Zepeda have the stamina and resolve to deal with the physical and mental pressure that Ramirez will bring?
My worry is the challenger was hurt badly and knocked down as a result of body shots from Carlos Diaz Ramirez. If Diaz Ramirez was able to inflict massive damage on him with body punches, so can the champion.
Zepeda will land his fare share of shots early in this fight, but Ramirez can take a good shot. It’s over the second half of the fight where the favorite will start to take control.
The defending champion will find a way to get inside and land with his vaunted body attack, ultimately slowing down Zepeda. Additionally, Ramirez will be bolstered by fighting in his hometown of Fresno.
The challenger will be competitive early and throughout most of the fight. However, at the end of the day, the champ will prove to be too much and win by late-round stoppage.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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