WBC super-lightweight Jose Ramirez explained why he switched trainer from Freddie Roach to Robert Garcia.
“I think what went on with that change was loyalty and the fact that we do so much outside of the ring as well. Robert is a guy who is from Oxnard, a very similar community to Central California. He understands the work ethic and what we represent, what we do. And he wants to be a part of it. He’s very motivated to train me. He’s very excited to train me. That makes it easier for me to be motivated and to be excited to stay in this sport,” Ramirez said.
“Freddie is a great man. He’s very respected. He always respected me as a fighter, but he had so many world champions, and I needed to feel more of that loyalty and excitement from him. And I think I found it now in Riverside with a lot of undefeated prospects, good prospects, and future world champions at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy.”
On Saturday (July 14) Ramirez defends his world title against Danny O’Connor at the Save Mart Center in Fresno.
“It’s quite an honour for me to bring this type of fight, this type of entertainment, to Central California. To fight my first title defence in front of my biggest fans, my closest friends and my family, it’s a blessing,” Jose said.
“We’re calling this event ‘Protecting Home’ because we’re protecting those that belong here in this country, who fight every day and contribute to this community. We’re also protecting what belongs to us, which is a world title.”
