Ramirez Decisions Postol; Retains WBC/WBO 140-pound Belts

By Carlos Costa

In a complicated 12-rounder, Mexican-American WBC/WBO Super Lightweight World Champion Jose Ramirez (26-0, 17 KO’s) did enough in the ring to retain his title belts, scoring a well-deserved majority decision win over tough Ukrainian former champ Viktor Postol (31-3, 12 KO’s) Saturday, August 29, at the MGM Grand’s Bubble in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Official score cards were 114-114; and 116-112 & 115-113 for the undefeated 28-year-old Mexican-American from California.

Throughout the rumble, Ramirez dictated the action’s tempo with his fan-friendly aggressive, coming-forward style, throwing combinations, wanting the fight at close-range in the inside.

In contrast, backpedaling crafty veteran Postol, 36, worked with his left jab and right straights, which produced certain success in a couple of chapters.

In one of the middle rounds, Ramirez was able to stagger Postol with a sharp left on the ropes and was able to chase the Ukrainian challenger across the ring for the most exciting moment of the encounter.

However, at no moment Postol was able to create any serious danger for the younger Ramirez, whose parents have been farm workers in California’s valley who emigrated to the USA from the Mexican State of Michoacan.

With no cuts nor knockdowns, the clash ended up with Ramirez getting his hand risen, grabbing the majority decision victory.

The stage now gets hot for a possible future unification battle with hard-hitting Scottish WBA/IBF Super Lightweight World Champion Josh Taylor (16 -0, 12 KO’s), which is what fans and Ramirez want.

In three weeks, the southpaw Josh Taylor, 29, will make his mandatory title defense against a Thai challenger in his native Scotland.

Provided that the unbeaten Scottish emerges victorious, fans will hope to see a Ramirez vs Taylor – probably in Britain – for all four WBA/WBC/WBO/IBF Super Lightweight Belts. Lets hope so, and let’s see what will unfold about that. Will keep you posted.

In his corner, Jose Ramirez was assisted by his coach former champ Roberto Garcia together popular movie-star cutman Stitch Duran; while Viktor Postol was taken care of by Hall-of-famer 7-time trainer or the year Freddy Roach and his assistant Filipino Marvin Somodio.

The Ramirez vs Postol WBC/WBO title clash was promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank and aired live on ESPN.

The author Carlos Costa, 59, is a veteran Panama boxing reporter living in Cebu. Carlos can be reached on Twitter: @CarlosCostaBox and whatsapp 09184538152.