GUADALAJARA, Jalisco. – Monday thru Saturday, Mazatlan’s Gilberto “Lefty” Ramirez (20-0, 18 KOs) can be seen at the Julian Magdaleno Gym of Guadalajara in intense preparation for his fourth defense of the World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth Middleweight title. He is fighting Costa Rica’s World Boxing Council (WBC), on April 14 in Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico, but he is looking far beyond this international bout.
At 6 feet 2 inches, and a 90 percent knockout record, the 20 year old certainly seems to be on his way for the big time
He will face Costa Rican Jaime “El Indio” Barboza (17-6, 8 KOs) in a 10 round match, but his handlers feel that this is a good step for better and bigger fights in the near future.
No doubt the hard hitting left handed puncher has potential. He has swept his Mexican competition in route to his current status and is now regularly showcased in Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’ boxing promotions in Mexico.
Part of his grooming has been the acquisition of quality sparring throughout his career.
For his upcoming fight, Ramirez is aided in his sparring practice by former world No. 1 ranked Saul “La Fiera” Roman, a veteran who recently fought a world title eliminator against Armenian Vanes Martirosyan.
Roman is also a sparring partner for world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Carrasco and is a twelve-year boxing veteran.
“Saul Roman is a luxury sparring partner, he has been working with Gilberto Ramirez since his fight against Rogelio” Porky “Medina, when he won the Youth Championship,” said Trainer Hector Zapari.
This is the second time that Ramirez has moved their training camp to Guadalajara where Ramirez has also sparred occasionally with “Canelo” Alvarez, now training in Big Bear for his fight against Shane Mosley.
“It was been difficult to find sparring partners that will stand Ramirez’ pace. A boxer from Montreal came for one day and decided to go back home. Others have come and decided that they don’t want to get in the ring with him. Only Saul Roman has stayed and that is because of his high level of competition for both, “said Zapari.
“There is no easy fight and we are taking Barbosa very seriously, that is the reason for the extensive preparation. But there is no doubt that Ramirez is running out of competition at his level and that it is only a matter of time in which he will be a force in the 160 pound division, And it is not that we are trying to rush him. He simple is coming along at a tremendous pace and his name is now being mentioned more often in the boxing circles,” added Zapari.
Gilberto Ramirez will fight ten rounds against Costa Rican Jaime “El Indio” Barboza on Saturday April 14 in a World Championship doubleheader promoted by Canelo Promotions. The card will be co headlined by Victor “Viking” Terrazas, the World Champion WBC Super Bantamweight Silver title holder.
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