Two talented fighters trying to regain some momentum will return to the ring on Saturday in Fresno, California (DAZN).
Jose Ramirez, a 2012 U.S. Olympian and former unified 140-pound titleholder, is expected to face veteran Rances Barthelemy of Cuba in the main event. And 154-pounder Vergil Ortiz Jr., who has stopped all 20 of his opponents, will face the experienced Thomas Dulorme.
Ramirez (28-1, 18 KOs) has almost become an afterthought since he lost to Josh Taylor for the undisputed welterweight championship in 2021.
The native of Avenal, near Fresno, has fought only twice since then. He defeated former two-division champion Jose Pedraza by unanimous decision in March 2022 and stopped Richard Commey in 11 rounds the following March, meaning he will be out of the ring for more than a year.
The 31-year-old has moved from longtime Top Rank to Golden Boy. He is ranked by three of the four major sanctioning bodies, as high as No. 4 by the WBO.
“Honestly, I’m ready for Saturday,” he said. “My goal is to get back to the top and get all those belts back. I’m one of the best 140-pounders in the world and it all started with making a statement on Saturday. That’s what I’m working on in the gym.”
He then listed the members of his team, including coach Robert Garcia and his sparring partners. He erodes their trust in him.
“They still believe I’m one of the best 140-pounders in the division. And I look forward to being part of the big battles,” he said.
Barthelemy (30-2-1, 15 KOs) is a former two-division champion but has not worn the belt since 2016. The 38-year-old is coming off a majority decision victory over Omar Juarez last May , followed by a decisive victory. a sixth-round knockout loss to Gary Antuanne Russell the previous July.
Ortiz, ranked No. 1 by the WBA, has fought less than a round – a quick knockout of Fredrick Lawson in January – since August 2022 because of health issues, including the muscle condition Rhabdomyolysis .
As a result, many scheduled matches against Eimantas Stanionis were canceled and his career appeared to be in jeopardy.
However, he is clearly now fit and will have a big fight if he can get past Dulorme. He and former president Tim Tszyu have reportedly agreed to fight on the Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov card on August 3 in Los Angeles.
Ortiz was asked if there was a chance of seeing Dulorme.
“There’s no chance,” he said. “I have to get through this battle first. Of course it is a great opportunity if it is planned. I don’t have any information out there. The information I know is that this Saturday I will fight Thomas Dulorme.
“We trained hard for two months for this fight. That’s what I’m focusing on.”
Dulorme (26-6-1, 17 KOs) is a former title challenger trying to stay relevant at age 34.
The Puerto Rican has not fought since July 2022, when he stopped journeyman Abrahan Peralta in three rounds. That followed consecutive losses to Jamal James, Stanionis and Jaron Ennis.
