WBO super middleweight world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (34-0, 24 KO’s) of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, two-time Mexican Olympian and undefeated No. 1 featherweight contender Óscar Valdez (20-0, 17 KO’s) of Nogales, Mexico, undefeated welterweight contender Jose Benavidez Jr. (24-0, 16 KO’s) and his opponent Francisco Santana (24-4-1, 12 KO’s) of Santa Barbara, California held court Tuesday afternoon at the Conga Room at LA Live in Los Angeles to discuss their next fights taking place Saturday July, 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena live on HBO PPV on the Terrance Crawford vs. Viktor Postol undercard.
Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum opened things up as he talked about the card.
“I’m happy to be here to talk about this card. On July 23 the two best 140 pound fighters will meet. It’s a great fight,” Bob Arum said. “We have assembled a tremendous under card that features great Hispanic fighters. It is important that we show how important the Hispanics are,” Arum added
The WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez spoke in English about his upcoming fight.
“I am really happy for happy for being on this card defending my title for the first time. I will see you all July 23rd,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez will be making the first defense of his WBO super middleweight title he won over Arthur Abraham this past April against Dominik Britsch (32-2-1, 11 KOs), of Germany.
Valdez accompanied by his manager Frank Espinoza Sr. talked at the press conference.
“My dream is very close. Camp is on and I will work hard for this fight. Hope to see you all July 23 it’s going to be a great fight. Hopefully it’s for a world title,” Valdez
The two-time Mexican Olympian, Valdez will take on number two ranked contender Matias Rueda (26-0, 23 KOs), of Argentina, for the vacant WBO featherweight world title. Valdez is coming off the biggest win of his career as he scored a knockout over former world champion Evegeny Gradovich.
Welterweights Jose Benavidez Jr. and Francisco Santana were also on hand.
“What can I say, I am ready and I have what it takes to beat him. I am confident to be victorious,” Jose Benavidez said.
“Benavidez is a good fighter, he has his talents and I have mine. We will give a great fight on July 23,” Francisco Santana said.
Benavidez vs. Santana will open up the HBO pay per view telecast
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