Jose Ramirez stops Maurice Hooker in six action-packed rounds to become unified champion

Jose Ramirez boxing

DESPITE having home advantage in Arlington, Texas at the College Park Center on Saturday (July 27), WBO super-lightweight title-holder Maurice Hooker came out second best to his WBC counterpart, Californian Jose Ramirez, in a fan-friendly action fight.

In a bout which featured many exciting exchanges that had the crowd up on their feet, the two unbeaten champions fought at a tremendous pace. A knockdown was incorrectly called in the opening round when Hooker fell to the mat after Ramirez accidentally trod on his foot, but there was certainly nothing wrong with the finish in the sixth.

A slamming left hook caused Hooker to stagger into the ropes, where Ramirez followed up with a furious flurry of heavy shots, leading the referee to intervene at 1-48.

โ€œIโ€™m very happy,โ€ said the impressive Ramirez post-fight. โ€œThis just lets me know that Iโ€™m on the right track to becoming a better fighter, a better professional. Iโ€™m ready for anyone now. 

โ€œI felt very confident with my skills, just like any fighter. A real champion has faith in themselves. I believe in my team, I believe in myself. I came here to become the unified champion and I did it. Iโ€™m the very best guy.โ€

jose ramirez
Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA

Hooker, meanwhile, looked back with regret on a momentary loss of concentration in round six which ultimately cost him dearly.

โ€œI just lost focus for a quick second,โ€ Hooker said. โ€œI was playing around with my jab hand and I lost focus. That just shows you โ€“ one second with a top fighter can change everything.โ€

With WBA titlist Regis Prograis set to face IBF king Josh Taylor in the World Boxing Super Series 140lb final later on this year, a clash for all four belts between Ramirez and the winner of that could take place in 2020.

In the chief support, Philadelphiaโ€™s Tevin Farmer retained his IBF super-featherweight strap for the fourth time with a unanimous decision win against fellow southpaw Guillaume Frenois of France.

Despite losing a point for a low blow in the 10th, Farmer triumphed convincingly on the scorecards by tallies of 119-108 and 116-111 twice in what was a less-than-thrilling affair. Frenois huffed and puffed but was unable to pin Farmer down for the most part. The defending champ was too quick and slick for the veteran challenger, with his jab, body work and smart defensive skills proving too much.

โ€œI came out here and I did what I had to do,โ€ Farmer said afterwards. โ€œI keep winning. I did an excellent 12 rounds. I donโ€™t care about the crowd. I fight, I win, I get my money and I go back to my family. You either love me or hate me. I think it was speed and my IQ that won me the fight.

โ€œ[WBA ruler] Gervonta Davis says he wants Tevin Farmer, then [Davisโ€™ handler] Leonard Ellerbe says something else. Iโ€™m moving forward from that fight. If I canโ€™t get that fight, give me [contender] Joseph Diaz.โ€

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