Ramirez remembers lessons from Great Grandfather

photo by Robert Huskey

The journey of a young fighter is a challenge as they strive to climb the ranks as quickly as possible. For the undefeated Julian Ramirez 9-0 (6 ko) this is no different as he prepares for the fifth fight of the year on Friday December 13 at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, CA.

Ramirez who fights in the super bantamweight division will be looking to impress the crowd once again by delivering another knockout as has been the case in his most recent fights. While the quick finish is always a crowd pleaser, Ramirez has one critic in his great grandfather whose opinion matters to him and is the one who first trained and introduced him to the sport.

“My grandpa would make me do this drill here for an hour. And then he would make me throw my upper,”said Ramirez as he worked his jab on a double-end bag.

It wasn’t long before his great grandfather Jose Cruz Gonzalez, thought that he was ready for his first fight.“I had my first fight after three months and he told me that all I needed was a one-two. I knocked that guy out and everyone thought it was luck,”said Ramirez.

With his great grandfather confident of his abilities as a fighter,his career as a fighter was born Soon after Ramirez was winning regional titles and tournaments on his way to an accomplished amateur career.However it was the politics of the amateur boxing that drove him to want to turn profession.

“Everyone thought my great grandfather was crazy or he’s old. He knows his stuff but he was the man that told me you’re going to be world champ. You’re going to be the next champion in the family,”said Ramirez.

Those words stuck with Ramirez who was only a child but the message was clear from the man he once was intimidated by because of his mean demeanor.”He was mean but with me he was always nice. For whatever reason he loved me and he would always teach me,”said Ramirez

Ramirez remembers a period when he had a bad temper and was always fighting.He recalls just liking boxing because of the joy of fighting. Once again words from his great grandfather would teach him a lesson he would always remember.

“He would always tell me, never fight mad. And if  you’re angry, just walk away. He thought me so much. I wish I could still train with him but he’s too old to work with me.

Now as a professional Ramirez remembers the moments in his amateur career that presented him with useful knowledge that he can apply today. It is during this phase of his career that he must find the balance in his style that will not only deliver a fighting style to please the crowd but that will help mold him into the contender.

“When I went to silver gloves I beat all those styles. All those styles, they thought me a lot. My last fight he didn’t like it. He wanted me to box more. Everyone thinks I’m a brawler but I’m not. Little by little I’ve been brawling more because I get the fights over with but he likes the old school style of boxing and not getting hit ,”said Ramirez.

Even fighters have their wishlists ready this time of the year and for Ramirez he hopes that Santa not only brings him a win but that the New Year brings him a regional title and a ranking in the top ten.

“I’m just listening to my manager and when he says we’re ready we’ll fight. I want to make money and stay busy. I just want to keep winning. It would be something to win a little belt. To call me a champion would be tight. To win a title, that’s every fighters dream,” said Ramirez.

The fight is part of a Golden Boy Promotions card that features Josesito Lopez vs Mike Arnaoutis in a 10 round welterweight main event. The card will be televised on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Deportes.

Special thanks to Rachel Charles and Pitch Ink for setting up the photoshoot.