Speaking exclusively to World Boxing News, Ramirez opened up about the lingering sting of his April 2024 defeat in Brooklyn and the mounting frustration of waiting on the sidelines for a mandated rematch after fighting his way back to the number one mandatory position. The path to the world championship has proven to be a winding road for the talented contender, who has maintained his focus despite shifting landscapes within the sanctioning body.
The division experienced a significant shake-up in June when Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez made a high-profile move up to the bantamweight division, leaving the WBA super flyweight championship vacant. Following this development, the WBA elevated Jimenez to the status of full champion. Swiftly moving to establish order within the weight class, the sanctioning body ordered Jimenez to make his mandatory defense against Ramirez by September 18, with formal purse bid negotiations scheduled to reach their conclusion by October 18.
However, boxing politics and promotional maneuvering intervened. Teiken Promotions formally requested permission from the sanctioning body for Jimenez to take an alternative route, seeking approval for the newly crowned champion to defend his title against Seigo Yuri Akui in Japan. Despite active opposition from Ramirez’s promotional team at Golden Boy, the WBA ultimately approved the blockbuster bout, scheduling it for November 29.
As part of the ruling, the governing body has stipulated that the winner of the Jimenez-Akui showdown must face Ramirez within 120 days. In the event that the championship bout ends in a draw, Jimenez will remain saddled with the exact same mandatory obligation to defend against the top contender.
Reflecting on the turbulent political landscape of the sport and the constant shifting of his timeline, Ramirez maintained a philosophical outlook while speaking with WBN.
"I was frustrated like any young athlete who works hard to get a world title shot, but I’ve been and continue to trust in the system," Ramirez shared, acknowledging the emotional rollercoaster of being a top-ranked fighter waiting for his golden opportunity.
Scrappy Ramirez Admits Mistakes and Embraces Growth
The origin of Ramirez’s current quest for vengeance dates back to their Brooklyn showdown, where Jimenez secured a hard-fought unanimous decision victory to capture the WBA interim championship, simultaneously bringing an abrupt halt to Ramirez’s pristine, undefeated professional record. Rather than casting blame or looking for external excuses for the setback, the contender chose a path of total accountability.
"No excuses; I wasn’t ready," Ramirez admitted candidly. "I am a better fighter because of that loss. I had to look in the mirror and find out what needed to be fixed or added to reach my goal to win a world title. And I want to keep it a long time, not just win and defend it once. It shows I’ve matured."
Rather than viewing the defeat as a permanent derailment of his career aspirations, Ramirez firmly believes that the adversity served as a crucial stepping stone in his athletic development. The psychological shift from an undefeated prospect to a defeated contender forced him to reevaluate his approach inside and outside the squared circle.
"It’s not always about change. Why change? It’s all about growing as a fighter and I gained valuable experience," Ramirez explained. "Sometimes a fighter has to lose to get to the next level. I believe in myself and [am] confident I will win the world title."
This mature perspective has been tested repeatedly over the course of his professional journey. Ramirez previously encountered a frustrating mandatory delay throughout 2024 while he was actively pursuing a high-stakes championship opportunity against veteran star Kazuto Ioka. Despite those prior roadblocks, Ramirez has remained resilient, navigating the intricate and often unpredictable business side of professional boxing.
With the Jimenez-Akui fight now occupying the immediate calendar, the WBA has granted Ramirez the flexibility to take a non-title tune-up fight to stay sharp and active while the championship picture sorts itself out in Japan.
"I’m willing to fight to stay active, but at this point the fight has to make sense. Boxing is a business," Ramirez noted, emphasizing the importance of strategic career planning alongside his management team. "I love my team and we will soon find out what’s next for me."
WBA Title Shot Delayed as Future Remains Unclear
Though Ramirez harbors a deep competitive desire to eventually avenge the only blemish on his professional ledger, his ultimate focus remains anchored on the grander prize: capturing a world championship belt. Whether that vengeance comes immediately or further down the line is secondary to the gold itself.
"The main goal is to be world champion. It doesn’t really matter who I fight," Ramirez stated firmly. "Sooner or later, though, I would like to avenge my only loss."
As he looks toward the horizon, Ramirez reflected on the emotional weight of a potential world title victory, viewing it as the culmination of years of unyielding sacrifice, relentless training, and unwavering self-belief. For the contender, the journey has been as much about proving his doubters wrong as it has been about fulfilling a lifelong athletic dream.
"That hard work and dedication lets me follow my dream and do exactly what I’ve been saying," Ramirez said. "I’m here to prove myself and I’ve had visions of me as world champion. I am confident and the closer I get, people are realizing I’m not all talk, just confident in my skills."
With his mandatory position secure, Ramirez is now forced into a holding pattern once again. He must wait patiently until the final bell sounds on November 29, when David Jimenez and Seigo Yuri Akui square off. Only then will Ramirez finally discover whether his next step forward will culminate in the long-awaited rematch against his former conqueror, or present an entirely new challenge for the coveted WBA super flyweight crown.
