By: Sean Crose
The 28-1 Jose Carlos Ramirez was seeking to impress his fellow Californians on Saturday night time when he battled the 30-2-1 Rances Barthelemy on the Save Mart Arena in Fresno. It was the primary struggle in over a 12 months for Ramirez, who was as soon as junior welterweight world champion and was now aiming to return to the highest of the heap. The veteran Barthelemy, however, was seeking to shake issues up by proving he was greater than a fighter previous his prime. The struggle was scheduled for twelve rounds.
Ramirez stalked his man within the first whereas working the physique. Barthelemy landed low within the second however Ramirez appeared unharmed. In reality, Ramirez stored making use of stress all through the chapter and chopping away at his opponent, significantly to the physique. By the third it was clear Ramirez was seeking to finish the struggle early, for he constantly threw with dangerous intentions. Barthelemy nevertheless, held on robust, searching for alternatives and saving vitality.
He had the prospect to come back alive later within the spherical when he unloaded on Ramirez, who ended up on the mat. Barthelemy then continued to assault Ramirez whereas Ramirez was on the canvas. The referee, nevertheless, stated Ramirez was pushed. Barthelemy exploded as soon as once more at spherical’s finish. It appeared that it could be Ramirez, not Barthelemy, was near getting stopped inside the distance. Sure sufficient, Barthelemy ended up hurting Ramirez once more within the fourth. Ramirez, nevertheless, stored pushing ahead and attacking.
The fifth was intense, as Ramirez continued to work on his foe. Barthelemy was much less energetic than Ramirez within the sixth, however nonetheless discovered a house for his straight left. In the seventh, one factor was apparent – this struggle was a banger. The fighters could not have appeared as contemporary within the eighth as they did within the first, however they have been nonetheless engaged in a excessive octane affair. Barthelemy didn’t appear wanting to grow to be extra energetic within the ninth – a call which may price him later within the bout.
By the tenth, the struggle had lastly slowed down. Both males have been now seeking to decide their pictures. Ramirez returned to throwing quite a few pictures directly within the eleventh. Barthelemy, his face a puffy mess, nonetheless appeared to land a strong punch. By the top of the spherical, nevertheless, Ramirez really started to take it to Barthelemy. In between rounds the referee threatened to finish the struggle ought to Barthelemy proceed to take punishment with out responding.
The twelfth and ultimate spherical noticed a overwhelmed up Barthelemy attempt to dangle in there because the seconds ticked down. He was even capable of land a couple of strong lefts. When the ultimate bell rang, nevertheless, Ramirez remained on his toes. The decide’s resolution ended up getting in Ramirez’ favor by scores of 119-109, 119-109 and 118-110.
Images: Golden Boy
