U.S. Olympian and former unified super lightweight world champion Jose Ramirez (28-1, 18 KOs) and undefeated super welterweight contender Vergil Ortiz Jr. (20-0, 20 KOs) hosted their final press conference on Thursday. Opponents Rances Barthelemy and Thomas Dulorme were not present. The twinbill take place on Saturday on DAZN from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
Jose Ramirez: “I am ready for this Saturday. My goal is to get back on top and to get all those belts back. I still feel like I am one of the best 140-pounders in the division. I plan on making a statement on Saturday, and that’s what I was working on in the gym. Thank you to Oscar and to Golden Boy for the opportunity.”
Vergil Ortiz, Jr: “I don’t have too much to say right now. All everyone should know is that we had a great training camp, trained hard, and had incredible sparring. I like running – I ran a lot. I really don’t have anything else to say aside from that.”
Decent card, Thomas Dulorme hasn’t fought in 2 and a half years since he was destroyed in 1 round by Ennis so I don’t know how this type of challenge can help Ortiz jr…
It’s a horrible matchup that will get Dulorme seriously hurt. Ortiz doesn’t fart around and will jump on Thomas the first chance he gets. This one is over before the 3rd round. Dulorme has been damaged goods for at least 5 years and is now a punching bag. It’s a shame because he showed incredible potential early on, but his glass jaw was his Achilles.
Vamos ortiz you !!!!are my rooster
It’s lost in translation….rooster, fighting cock
Exactly thats what I meant
Well, it depends what country the saying comes from. In some countries, it’s a reference to cock fighting and shows support for your rooster to win. In others…it’s a feminine to masculine compliment akin to calling him daddy. LOL!!! I’m sure Carlos referenced the prior.
I agree with you, Arturo. Great to have Ramirez and Ortiz on the same card but this matchup vs Dulorme does little for Ortiz other than give him a round or two and put another KO on his record. I hope Ortiz moves to the PBC stable because that’s when we’ll see him in there with the likes of Tszyu, Spence, Fundora, Lubin, and Fundora. It’d even be great to see him in there against Jermel Charlo. Not sure what Golden Boy can do for him at this point.
He’s fighting Tim in August
Ramses is still a good fighter, Durlome is well past his prime. For Ramirez this is a good matchup against a solid fighter the 140lb is one of the most competitive divisions today. For Ortiz this is a decent fight to get some rust off against a fighter who had good close fights against Stanionis, Ugas and even drew against Jessie Vargas. Ortiz already has a fight lined for against Tszyu, hopefully he comes out unharmed and we can expect a true war against Tszyu. Best of luck.
I really like Ortiz but I think this match is very telling. The troubles he’s had physically in recent years with rhabdomyolisis is a serious condition (not simply a problem making weight). Looks like they want to be sure he is not too fragile maybe putting him in with such a light opponent. Ramirez is a nice respectful fighter who priced himself out against Prograis. His best days are behind him but a good showing will get him a big fight
Yeah, I also agree, that Virgil Ortiz should face another opponent that could last 6 to 8 rounds but ortiz is weird he is a few rounds fighter
In other words fighting 2 or 10 rounds is the same for him
This is gonna be the first real test for Ortiz in my view. Great match up for both. I can see Ramirez taking this if he doesn’t get into a firefight, but I’m still pulling for Vergil. This could be a real good one!
@Johnathan, Ortiz is fighting Thomas Dulomore, not Ramirez.
Yep, see that now, thanks. Shoot, I would have loved that fight haha
Yep would have been a cracking fight. So it looks like Ortiz’s first real test will come after this though when he fights Tim Tszyu in August. Personally I think Tim will destroy him, but I’m looking forward to the August fight all the same.
Easy fight for Ortiz, maybe a prep fight for Tim