The two-time gold medal Cuban Olympian Robeisy Ramirez will fight for his first world title on April 1st, against Isaac Dogboe, as the two will fight for the WBO vacant featherweight championship, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, on ESPN+. The bout is promoted by Top Rank Inc.
Rather than trash talk, Ramirez took to the mic to share wisdom and a bit of his spirituality for those who tuned in and watched at home. It seems that losing his first fight to Adan Gonzales might have opened a door of heavy reflection.
In preparation for Dogboe, Ramirez found part of the process by training around a former rival as one of his biggest inspirations in camp for the biggest fight of his professional career was Shakur Stevenson. In a circulated press release it appears Ramirez and Stevenson crossed paths at the Top Rank Boxing Gym in Las Vegas, Nevada. Now Ramirez looks to become a world champion in his own right.
"I have nothing but positive things to say about Shakur as both a boxer and a person. What started as a rivalry among two great amateurs has evolved into a friendship. It was a pleasure to train with him at the Top Rank Gym, and I wish him the best as he begins to campaign in yet another division and continues to cement his place in the pound-for-pound rankings,” said Ramirez about his encounter with Stevenson, who he beat in the 2016 Olympics for the gold medal in the finals of the Olympics. "I have a lot of respect for Shakur and believe he has the skill and ring IQ to defeat anyone in the very competitive lightweight division. April 8 is another step for him as he continues to show he deserves to fight the biggest names. Good luck to him!”
Though many counted out Ramirez, he pointed out training with Ismael Salas for his rapid improvement with the professional style. Ramirez has gone from a talented but complacent fighter to a fighter who has weaponized his talent. Ramirez is now at times a pressure fighter, who uses his skills as a weapon to come toward his opponent.
“Ismael Salas is a strategist. He is an excellent teacher. He has many world champions, and he has been doing this for many years,” said Ramirez. “Salas has given me the confidence, the knowledge and dexterity to bring out the best of me in the ring. Working with him has been the best thing that has happened to my career.”