Ramirez survives third-round scare to score wide points win over Barthelemy

THE RESULT: In his debut for Golden Boy Promotions former super-lightweight unified champion Jose Carlos Ramirez scored a wide unanimous decision against Cuban Rances Barthelemy at the Save Mart Arena in Fresno.

KEY MOMENTS: Ramirez was stunned by a straight left hand from Barthelemy in round three. The underdog jumped at the chance to cause an upset but after putting his man down the Cuban kept punching, illegally, forcing referee Jack Reiss to push him off and warn him. The experienced official didn’t award a knockdown and didn’t deduct a point for the illegal blows.. That same punch proved to be a thorn in the side for Ramirez for the majority of the contest.

RECORDS: Ramirez, 29-1 (18), Barthelemy, 30-3-1 (15).

TALKING POINT: The decision of Jack Reiss not to signal a knockdown in round three and to not give Barthelemy a point off for punching Ramirez when he had touched down. Reiss appeared to indicate it was a push before giving the non-English speaking Cuban a ticking off.

QUOTABLE: In his post-fight interview Ramirez expressed disappointment with his performance. “I think I got overly excited and there was many times I was listening [to the crowd] and got distracted.”

“In that round [three] I got distracted and got hit with one punch and it motivated him. If that didn’t happen, if I didn’t get distracted, I would’ve broke his spirit. That punch of his kept him in the fight.

As for what’s next, he said: “I feel like I have what it takes to compete against the best 140-pounders. I gotta stay consistent.”

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? At 31-years-old Ramirez still has a lot to offer and the only blemish on his record is the undisputed title fight defeat to Josh Taylor. Oscar De La Hoya believes Ramirez is ready for a world title fight but did admit his new roster addition may need one more fight in the meantime. A good test of his world title credentials may be to step in the ring with Regis Prograis.