Gilberto Ramirez said he had “no excuses” after losing 7.6 pounds for his now-cancelled 175-pound bout with Gabriel Rosado tonight (Saturday) in Long Beach, California.
He’ll have plenty of free time to think about what he’s done.
Andy Foster, executive director of the California State Athletic Commission, said Ramirez will be suspended for at least six months. That means he will miss out on a fight, which Rosado is forced to do, assuming another commission doesn’t ignore the California ruling.
Ramirez should have made $400,000, Rosado $175,000.
“I am suspending Ramirez,” Foster said monster fight. “He is being suspended and fined, probably fined at least $5k. He screwed up the whole event, so I’ll probably suspend him for about six months. Maybe eight months.
“The suspension has to be long enough to cost him a match because he cost Gabriel Rosado with a match and training camp.”
Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) said he was embarrassed.
“There are no excuses,” he said in an official statement. “I have never lost weight in my 45 professional fights. This is the first and last time. I’ve always prided myself on being a professional footballer, but today wasn’t my best moment.
“By the way, I would like to apologize to all the fans and supporters of me, Golden Boy Promotions and DAZN for this unfortunate incident. I never gave up trying to lose weight, cutting down to the last moment, but couldn’t lose enough to reach the contracted weight.
“I feel ashamed and saddened by my actions and promise that this will never happen again. I will make the appropriate adjustments and will be back soon.”
A source “near the Ramirez camp” told Fight Freaks: “His body has stopped working. He works all night (Thursday) and morning (Friday). Tried everything.”
The match between 140-pound athlete Joseph Diaz Jr. and Mercito Gesta have been elevated to main event tonight (DAZN).
