Vergil Acuna Jr., Oscar De La Hoya and Jose Ramírez interacted with Valley farmworkers during their visit on Tuesday. Photo contributed To say things have come full circle for Avenal’s 31-year-old José Ramírez would be an understatement. The former Olympian, World
boxing Council and World Boxing Organization champion turned pro in 2012 and went on to achieve a 26-0 record before his first loss in 2021 by decision at the hands of Josh Taylor and has since gone on to win his last two fights, both in Fresno, bringing his overall record to 28-1 with 18 knockouts. On Tuesday, however, Ramírez, alongside established undefeated welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr. of
Texas (20-0, 20 KOs) and boxing legend and Ramírez’s newest fight promoter Oscar De La hoya, expressed their appreciation for local ag industry workers during an announcement of their April bouts at the Save Mart Center in which both boxers will be in action, with Ramírez headlining the main card against Cuban-born Rances Barthelemy. Ramírez, Ortiz Jr. and De La Hoya started Tuesday away from the spotlight, in Valley farm fields and a packing house speaking with farmworkers and showing their support and drawing attention to the role that local farmworkers play in the Valley
economy. “I want to thank Oscar and the entire team,” said Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers League. “Today’s trip was incredible [for] the workers to see.” Acuna added that the trio picked fruit alongside farmworkers, with both Ramírez and Vergil on ladders before touring a packing house and speaking with local farmworkers. “You really appreciate exactly what they do and where our food comes from, where our fruit comes from,” De La Hoya said. “The whole process, it was incredible.” During the conference, Acuna announced that 3,000 vouchers have been reserved for farmworkers for April’s fight. “The cool thing is that the farmers don’t really promote themselves,” Ramírez said. “But they do invite everybody that wants to know how they work with employees to go and take a look for themselves.” The fight will take place April 27 and will feature an undercard match of Ortiz Jr. facing off against Thomas Dulorme. This will mark the first fight for Ramírez under Golden Boy Promotions, which is run by De La Hoya. Ramírez initially turned down a chance to fight under the promoter when he represented the
United States during the 2012 Olympics. “It’s funny how life comes full circle,” said Rick Mirigian who manages both Ramírez and Ortiz Jr. “Jose and I would go down to Golden Boy when Jose was an amateur approaching the Olympics in
London and we almost signed with Oscar; I mean, it came right down to the wire.” Ramírez was previously partnered with promoter Top Rank. Ramírez’s opponent, Barthelemy, is 30-2 with 15 knockouts and is a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior lightweight and lightweight title holder. “I have been training hard for five weeks in Riverside with Robert Garcia, and there are less than 4 weeks left until fight night. I can’t wait to see everyone come out for my first fight with Golden Boy.” Tickets for the event went on sale Wednesday, with prices ranging from $45 to $225. Tickets for the event can be purchased at ticketmaster.com or goldenboyproductions.com. To say things have come full circle for Avenal’s 31-year-old The Fresno City Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit Nearly 1 in 4 Americans plan to sell their home Minneapolis-based Northmarq is entering the Valley’s multifamily market in a