his quest for a WBA world title opportunity.
Speaking exclusively to World Boxing News, Ramirez opened up about the lingering sting of his April 2024 defeat in Brooklyn and the ongoing hurdles of securing a rematch or a title shot after successfully earning the number one mandatory position in the division. The landscape of the WBA super flyweight division has shifted significantly over the past year. David Jimenez was elevated to the status of full WBA champion in June following Jesse Rodriguez’s strategic decision to vacate and move up to the bantamweight division. Following this promotional and organizational shuffle, the WBA officially ordered Jimenez to make his mandatory defense against Ramirez on September 18, with formal purse bids and negotiations originally scheduled to reach a conclusion by October 18.
However, the timeline hit a snag when Teiken Promotions formally requested permission from the governing body for Jimenez to take an alternate path, specifically requesting a title defense against Japanese contender Seigo Yuri Akui in Japan. Despite active opposition and protests from Ramirez’s promotional team at Golden Boy, the WBA ultimately approved the November 29 championship bout on October 12. Under the terms of the ruling, the winner of the upcoming clash between Jimenez and Akui is strictly mandated to face Ramirez within a tight 120-day window following their bout. Furthermore, should the fight end in a technical or majority draw, Jimenez would retain the exact same mandatory obligation to face Ramirez next.
Reflecting on the twists and turns of professional boxing politics, Ramirez maintained a philosophical yet ambitious outlook. "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 told WBN, addressing the delay that keeps him waiting on the sidelines while his mandatory status remains officially recognized.
Scrappy Ramirez Admits Mistakes
The setback that put Ramirez in this holding pattern occurred in Brooklyn, where David Jimenez secured a hard-fought victory by unanimous decision. That night not only earned Jimenez the WBA interim championship but also decisively snapped Ramirez’s pristine, unbeaten professional record, serving as a harsh wake-up call for the rising star. Rather than deflecting blame or making excuses for how the fight unfolded, Ramirez has chosen a path of total accountability, viewing the career blemish as a critical turning point in his athletic development.
"No excuses; I wasn’t ready. 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," Ramirez reflected, demonstrating a level of introspection that is rare among undefeated prospects who suddenly taste defeat for the first time.
Ramirez firmly believes that the adversity he faced inside the ring that night has ultimately accelerated his development as a championship-caliber fighter. In a sport where many fighters and trainers overhaul their entire camps and coaching staff after a single loss, Ramirez opted for internal growth over superficial disruption.
"It’s not always about change. Why change? It’s all about growing as a fighter and I gained valuable experience. Sometimes a fighter has to lose to get to the next level. I believe in myself and confident I will win the world title," he added, emphasizing that his foundational skills were never the issue—rather, it was the mental and tactical maturity required on the elite world stage that he needed to refine.
WBA Title Shot Delayed
This latest postponement is not the first time Ramirez has been forced to exercise patience while navigating the complex politics of world title boxing. He previously faced a mandatory delay while actively pursuing a high-profile matchup against Kazuto Ioka earlier in 2024. Now, with the Jimenez-Akui bout locked in for late November, the WBA has granted Ramirez the flexibility to pursue a non-title preliminary fight to keep his body sharp and his career moving forward while he waits for the championship picture to clear.
Staying active is a priority, but Ramirez and his team are well aware of the economic and strategic realities of the sport. "I’m willing to fight to stay active, but at this point the fight has to make sense. Boxing is a business. I love my team and we will soon find out what’s next for me," Ramirez noted, balancing his burning desire to compete with the careful matchmaking required for a fighter in his precarious mandatory position.
While avenging his lone career defeat remains a deeply personal ambition, Ramirez maintains that the overarching mission of capturing a world championship takes precedence over personal grudges. "The main goal is to be world champion. It doesn’t really matter who I fight. Sooner or later, though, I would like to avenge my only loss," he stated clearly.
Looking ahead to what capturing the title would actually represent, Ramirez spoke passionately about the years of relentless sacrifice, training camps, and quiet dedication required to reach the pinnacle of professional boxing. Winning the belt is not just about the physical hardware for him; it is the ultimate validation of a lifelong dream.
"That hard work and dedication lets me follow my dream and do exactly what I’ve been saying. 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," Ramirez concluded.
With his mandatory position secure but his path temporarily obstructed, Ramirez now faces a waiting game until November 29, when the ring battle in Japan will finally determine whether he gets the long-awaited rematch with Jimenez or a fresh challenge against Akui. More than two years after his sobering defeat in Brooklyn, his championship aspirations remain entirely intact.
