With the retirement of Andre Ward, the biggest fights in California taking place in Northern and Central California take place with WBC super lightweight world champion Jose Ramirez. Ramirez, who has spent the majority of his career fighting in Fresno, CA, a short drive from his hometown of Avenal, Ca, accomplished one of his goals in boxing as he fought at Madison Square Garden beating Amir Imam to claim his first world title.

Ramirez would later leave longtime head coach Freddie Roach and train with Robert Garcia, the famed coach who trains in Riverside, Ca. Ramirez put on a brutal slugfest that entertained many in September as defeated Antonio Orozco in Fresno, Ca.

Ramirez, the 2012 U.S. Olympian who is now in his prime is looking for big money fights as soon as possible since his style is not one that lasts a long time, but is sure enjoyable. In my opinion, the best 140-pound fighter currently will return on Sunday, February 10th against Jose Zepeda, who is training with Ramirez’s former coach, Freddie Roach.

Ramirez is the best fighter currently in Northern and Central California and his yearly headlining events are tentpole events for the region as a world champion. 

This is the second year in a row, Ramirez has won the award.