The forgotten warrior, Jose Luis “Zurdo” Ramirez in the boxing world

By Jaime Estrada vidaboxeo@cox.net

Sometimes life is unfair to the ones who deserve much more than what they receive, especially when their achievements in the ring is won by heart and soul. This is the story of Jose Luis Ramirez, better known in the boxing community as “Zurdo” (Lefty), Who always showed courage, bravery and determination, with a style of relentless attack, cutting the space with a great movements of waist and head and deliver so much knockouts, and if he was on the canvas, rose to emerge to win fights, his record speaks by itself; 102 victories, of which 82 were by knockout, because his fists were pure dynamite. We don’t know much of his private life, because he missed the digital technology, but Ramirez was always a reserved guy, his never show any emotions in his face, He never talked trash about his opponents, acting always very professional and get up in the ring to do his job, fight always against the best in this category. “Zurdo” grew up with Julio César Chávez, both being train by Ramon Felix, and Ramirez lived in France for a large period of time. With his numbers, anyone would ensure the immediate installation in all the boxing halls of fame in the world, (among his victories are names like Jose Luis Castillo and in his last attempt to recapture the lightweight  title was when he was dominated by Juan Martin Coggi and decided to retire). Of his 9 defeats, only one was against an unknown fighter, the remaining 8 against warriors worthy of being legends, such as Rubén Olivares, Alexis Arguello, Ray Mancini, and if this is not enough  to convinced of Ramirez greatness, we will add  that he was lightweight champion of the world twice, competing with the best of his time in this division, he was crowned by the WBC first by defeating Edwin Rosario, then in his third defense Hector Camacho defeat  him, 8 victories later he recaptured the green & gold lightweight title in France by unanimous decision against Terrence Ali, defended the crown against Cornelius Boza-Edwards and against Pernell Whitaker and lost it again to his childhood friend, Julio César Chávez, who incidentally, in a Interview with Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the WBC as host, Julio Cesar recalled that during his beginning in boxing he did many sparring sessions with Juan Antonio Lopez and Jose Luis Ramirez, and do not understand why he don’t have yet the status to entering to the boxing hall of fame, therefore, Mauricio himself promised that as soon as the activities back in boxing, He will going to structure a great recognition for Ramirez incredible boxing career, and as journalists we need to recognize that Ramirez was a great warrior and his pushing aside for long time, so is time to make justice for him in the boxing world.

Some of his memorable fights:

against Alexis Arguello: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAM6b3Rd20k

Against Edwin Rosario: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq7J-d6MU_w

Against Hector Camacho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=mDed-70Wsnw&feature=emb_logo

Against Pernell Whitaker:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROJEclbrapU&feature=emb_logo

Against JC Chavez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neoUsj6PDVc&feature=emb_logo

Media outlets crying to include Ramirez in the Boxing Hall of Fame:

(Inglish) http://archive.boxing.media/the_case_for_jose_luis_ramirez_in_the_hall.html

(Spanish) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA4DnTiVhCg

29 Oct 1988, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA — Original caption: 10/29/1988-Las Vegas, NV-: Jose Luis Ramirez (R) reels back from a left by Julio Cesar Chavez during second round action of the WBC-WBA lightweight title fight in Las Vegas. — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS