Top Rank hosted a Los Angeles news conference to formally introduce the highly-decorated 2012 Olympian lightweight Jose Ramirez as its newest member of the Top Rank stable of stars. Ramirez will make his pro debut on the undercard of the December 8 Pacquiao-Marquez clash at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
“Today will be a significant day in the sport of boxing because it’s the first press conference announcing the professional debut of a young man who we believe will be one of the big superstars in boxing, Jose Ramirez,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “Over the years we’ve had press conferences like this, when we introduced fighters who we believed would be superstars and invariably they became superstars. Jose has had a great, great career and in our opinion he was the top amateur in the United States.”
Hailing from Avenal, Calif., Ramírez, 20, who began boxing when he was 8, surpassed multi-division world champions Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Shane Mosley to become USA Boxing’s all-time lightweight record holder. The No. 1-rated amateur lightweight in the U.S., Ramírez’s resume boasts 145 victories and 11 National titles. His trophy case glistens with gold including: U.S. Olympic Team Trials Champion (2012), National Champion (2010-2011), Junior Olympic National Champion (2010-2011) and USA Boxing National Champion (2011.)
Arum also noted that Ramirez is already sponsored by Discover card and Wonderful Pistachios. “This is very, very unusual. A young man comes to us, signs a contract and already has a bunch of sponsors. Usually it takes a couple of years when they’re professional before they get sponsors.”
Ramirez is trained by Armando Mancinas and co-managed by Mancinas and Rick Mirigian.
