José Luis Ramírez


José Luis Ramírez is a Mexican former professional boxer who was a two-time World Lightweight Champion. His most notable fights include two bouts each with Edwin Rosario and Pernell Whitaker, as well as fights against Ruben Olivares, Alexis Arguello, Ray Mancini, Hector Camacho, Julio Cesar Chavez and Juan Martin Coggi.

Career

A native of Huatabampo, Sonora and a resident of Culiacán, Ramírez made his professional debut on March 25, 1973 at the age of 15. He climbed slowly but steadily on boxing's rankings. In 1978, as a Featherweight, a 19 year old Ramírez lost by knockout for the only time in his career to legendary three time former world champion Rubén Olivares in two rounds.
After his move in weight to the Lightweights, 21-year-old Ramírez accumulated a record of 67-2, and met another boxing legend inside the ring, when he fought Alexis Argüello. Ramírez dropped Argüello for the first time in his career in round six, but lost a disputed ten round split decision in Miami. He then faced Ray Mancini for the North American Lightweight belt, and lost a 12 round decision in Ohio. By then, Ramírez and Julio César Chávez were gymmates and friends.
Ramírez won his following 10 bouts and on May 1, 1983, he was given the chance at becoming world Lightweight champion for the first time, when he fought Puerto Rican Edwin "El Chapo" Rosario at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, for the World Boxing Council's championship. Ramírez lost a close 12 round unanimous decision, but on November 3, of 1984, he and Rosario had a rematch, also in San Juan. After rising from two knockdowns, Ramírez rallied back to stagger Rosario in the third round. With Rosario pinned against a corner and Ramírez attacking, referee Steve Crosson stopped the bout in round four, after Ramírez had landed 17 straight punches, making Ramírez a world Lightweight champion for the first time, by a technical knockout. The fight was named the 1984 Ring Magazine fight of the year.
Ramírez then went into training for a defense against Héctor Camacho, another boxer from Puerto Rico. The fight was postponed when Camacho suffered a broken ankle during a pick up basketball game, but it finally came off on August 10, 1985. On his first fight telecast on HBO Boxing, Ramírez was dropped in round three and lost a 12 round unanimous decision.
Ramírez moved to Paris soon after. There, he re-grouped, and was able to regain the WBC's world championship when Camacho left it vacant in 1987, by edging out Terrence Alli with another close but unanimous 12 round decision. In his first title defense, he defeated former champion Cornelius Boza-Edwards by fifth round knock out. In his second defense, he was awarded a 12 round split decision victory against future multiple world champion Pernell Whitaker. The consensus among both United States media and US fans was that Whitaker deserved to win the fight.
Back in Mexico, he and Chávez were neighbors. Chávez had lifted the World Boxing Association's world Lightweight championship by beating Rosario, and a unification bout between the two friends and neighbors was planned. Ramírez, who is a godfather to one of Chávez's sons, lost an 11 round technical decision to Chávez on October 29 of 1988, which marked the last day he would be a world champion.
In 1989, he tried to win the International Boxing Federation's belt from Whitaker, in Virginia, but he lost a 12 round decision. Then, in 1990, he returned to France, where he lost to Juan Martin Coggi by a decision in 12 for the WBA's world Jr. Welterweight title in Ajaccio. After that bout, he retired.
Ramírez was a member of the less recognized, defunct World Boxing Hall of Fame in California, not to be confused with the more widely recognized International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota. In 2003, Ring magazine placed Ramirez on their list of the 100 greatest punchers of all time.
His boxing record is 102–9. Seven of Ramirez's nine career losses came against future Hall Of Fame members.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateAgeLocationNotes
111Loss102–9Martín CoggiUD12Mar 24, 1990Ajaccio, FranceFor WBA light welterweight title
110Loss102–8Pernell WhitakerUD12Aug 20, 1989Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.For IBF lightweight title;
& vacant WBC world champions#Lightweight|WBC], The Ring lightweight titles
109Win102–7Juan MinayaDQ5 Mar 10, 1989Palais des Sports de Beaublanc, Limoges, France
108Loss101–7Julio César ChávezTD11, 0:54Oct 29, 1988Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Lost WBC lightweight title;
For WBA and vacant The Ring lightweight title
107Win101–6Pernell WhitakerSD12Mar 12, 1988Stade de Levallois, Levallois-Perret, FranceRetained WBC lightweight title
106Win100–6John RafuseTKO4 Dec 19, 1987Palais Omnisport de Paris-Bercy, Bercy, France
105Win99–6Cornelius Boza-EdwardsKO5 Oct 10, 1987Zenith Palais, Paris, FranceRetained WBC lightweight title
104Win98–6Terrence AlliUD12Jul 19, 1987Saint-Tropez, FranceWon vacant WBC lightweight title
103Win97–6Steve MitchellKO5 May 25, 1987Villeurbanne, France
102Win96–6Roger BrownTKO7 May 12, 1987Le Mans, France
101Win95–6David TaylorPTS10Apr 16, 1987Marseille, France
100Win94–6Efrain NievesTKO3 Mar 27, 1987Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France
99Win93–6John SinegalTKO2 Dec 8, 1986Usines Center, Paris, France
98Win92–6Charlie BrownUD10Oct 25, 1986Zenith Palais, Paris, France
97Win91–6Nick ParkerTKO6 Sep 15, 1986Paris, France
96Loss90–6Héctor CamachoUD12Aug 10, 1985Riviera Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Lost WBC lightweight title
95Win90–5Manuel HernandezUD10Jun 6, 1985Riviera Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
94Win89–5J.T. WalkerTKO4, 2:59Mar 13, 1985Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
93Win88–5Edwin RosarioTKO4, 2:52Nov 3, 1984Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoWon WBC lightweight title
92Win87–5Martin QuirozUD10Jun 2, 1984Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California, U.S.
91Win86–5Hector MedinaTKO4 May 11, 1984Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico
90Win85–5Victor KellyTKO3 Dec 30, 1983Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico
89Win84–5Manuel SanchezTKO3 Nov 4, 1983Arena Naucalpan, Naucalpan, México, Mexico
88Win83–5Joe GallardoKO2 Oct 7, 1983Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico
87Loss82–5Edwin RosarioUD12May 1, 1983Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoFor vacant WBC lightweight title
86Win82–4Jose CebrerosKO3 Feb 26, 1983San Juan, Puerto Rico
85Win81–4Frankie MoultrieKO3, 2:18Nov 26, 1982Astrodome, Houston, Texas, U.S.Won vacant NABF lightweight title
84Win80–4Ramon AvitiaKO6 Oct 23, 1982Tijuana, Baja California, MexicoRetained Mexican lightweight title
83Win79–4Francisco DelgadoKO4 Oct 1, 1982Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
82Win78–4Rigoberto RuizKO5 Sep 10, 1982Municipal Stadium, San Jose, California, U.S.
81Win77–4Ernesto HerreraTKO4 Aug 28, 1982Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
80Win76–4Ricardo PeraltaTKO6, 2:25Jun 25, 1982Municipal Stadium, San Jose, California, U.S.Retained Mexican lightweight title
79Win75–4Jorge MoralesPTS10May 8, 1982Municipal Stadium, San Jose, California, U.S.
78Win74–4Benjamin AbarcaKO3 Mar 19, 1982Culiacan, Sinaloa, MexicoRetained Mexican lightweight title
77Win73–4Benjamin AbarcaKO6 Oct 23, 1981Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, MexicoRetained Mexican lightweight title
76Win72–4Jose Luis SoberanesPTS10Aug 28, 1981Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico
75Loss71–4Ray ManciniUD12Jul 19, 1981Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio, U.S.For NABF lightweight title
74Win71–3Ezequiel Cocoa SanchezUD10May 10, 1981Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
73Win70–3Celso LimonKO1 Apr 9, 1981Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
72Win69–3Abdul BeyKO3 Feb 27, 1981Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico
71Win68–3Ernesto GarfiasTKO7 Feb 7, 1981Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
70Loss67–3Alexis ArgüelloSD10Nov 14, 1980Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
69Win67–2Vicente MijaresTKO6 Oct 11, 1980Mexico City, Distrito Federal, MexicoRetained Mexico lightweight title
68Win66–2Dario De JesusTKO1 Aug 23, 1980Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
67Win65–2Manuel SanchezTKO6 Aug 10, 1980Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico
66Win64–2Jesus Cuate LaraKO7 Jul 10, 1980Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico
65Win63–2Rafael NunezKO1 Jun 19, 1980Memorial Fieldhouse, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
64Win62–2German CuelloKO8 Mar 21, 1980Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
63Win61–2Jose TorresKO5 Feb 3, 1980Gimnasio, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
62Win60–2Eric BonillaTKO4 Dec 19, 1979Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
61Win59–2Ignacio CamposTKO12 Nov 26, 1979Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, MexicoRetained Mexican lightweight title
60Win58–2Joe GallardoKO4 Nov 11, 1979Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico
59Win57–2Jose Luis CastilloPTS12Sep 28, 1979Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, MexicoRetained Mexican lightweight title
58Win56–2Ignacio CamposTKO7 Aug 20, 1979Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
57Win55–2Antonio NavaPTS10Jul 27, 1979Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
56Win54–2Adrian EstrellaKO7 Jul 8, 1979Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico
55Win53–2Humberto GutiérrezKO9 Jun 15, 1979Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, MexicoWon vacant Mexican lightweight title
54Win52–2Saul MontanaKO7 Apr 6, 1979Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico
53Win51–2Julio NavaKO3 Mar 7, 1979Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
52Win50–2Aurelio MunizTKO9 Feb 2, 1979Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
51Win49–2Cesar SavinonTKO2 Dec 1, 1978Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
50Win48–2David BernalKO3 Oct 20, 1978Auditorio Municipal, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
49Win47–2Leonardo BermudezPTS10Sep 1, 1978Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
48Win46–2Salvador TorresTKO3 Jul 21, 1978Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
47Win45–2Bobo GonzalezKO2 Jul 7, 1978Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico
46Win44–2Chito FelixKO3 Jun 23, 1978Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico
45Loss43–2Rubén OlivaresTKO2 Apr 28, 1978Arena, Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
44Win43–1Ramon PerazaKO3 Feb 17, 1978Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
43Win42–1Henry JacoboKO4 Feb 3, 1978Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
42Win41–1Joe GallardoKO7 Jan 7, 1978La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
41Win40–1Camilo IbarraKO7 Dec 7, 1977Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
40Win39–1Aurelio MunizPTS10Aug 1, 1977Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico
39Win38–1Hector MunozKO7 Jul 7, 1977Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico
38Win37–1Carlos UlloaKO1 Jun 29, 1977Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
37Win36–1Nexae MaciasTKO1 Jun 17, 1977Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
36Win35–1Rolando MartinezKO1 Apr 12, 1977La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
35Win34–1Ramon PerazaPTS10Feb 11, 1977Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico
34Win33–1Jesus Cuate LaraKO4 Nov 15, 1976Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
33Win32–1Jose DelgadoTKO5 Nov 5, 1976Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico
32Win31–1Jose DelgadoKO3 Sep 27, 1976Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
31Win30–1Elio HernandezTKO3 Sep 13, 1976Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
30Win29–1Rosendo RamirezTKO5 Aug 6, 1976Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
29Win28–1Javier RiosKO1 Jun 7, 1976Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
28Win27–1Ray EsparzaTKO4 May 17, 1976Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
27Win26–1Frankie CrawfordTKO7 Feb 13, 1976Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
26Win25–1Lorenzo MaldonaldoKO3 Oct 1, 1975Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
25Win24–1Cono LopezKO5 Aug 15, 1975Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
24Win23–1Nino GonzalezPTS10Jun 18, 1975Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
23Win22–1Ernesto CastilloKO2 May 21, 1975Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
22Loss21–1Sergio EnriquezPTS10Apr 30, 1975Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
21Win21–0Jose Luis LizarragaKO3 Apr 18, 1975Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico
20Win20–0Pajaro MoralesKO2 Mar 21, 1975Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
19Win19–0Pajaro MoralesKO5 Jul 16, 1974Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico
18Win18–0Solomon TapiaPTS8Jun 14, 1974Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico
17Win17–0Enrique TorresKO3 May 17, 1974Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico
16Win16–0Jose GonzalezKO1 May 12, 1974Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
15Win15–0Rudy SanchezKO2 May 7, 1974Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico
14Win14–0Gustavo GuerreroPTS8Apr 5, 1974Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico
13Win13–0Indio HuicosaKO2 Mar 29, 1974Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
12Win12–0Mario FortanelKO3 Mar 16, 1974Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico
11Win11–0Alberto PerezKO5 Oct 30, 1973Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
10Win10–0Indio HuicosaPTS6Oct 10, 1973Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
9Win9–0Jesse TorresKO1 Sep 20, 1973Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico
8Win8–0Gustavo GuerreroTKO5 Aug 30, 1973Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico
7Win7–0Lino MunozKO3 Aug 15, 1973Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
6Win6–0Delfino MendozaPTS6Aug 1, 1973Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
5Win5–0Delfino MendozaKO1 Jul 12, 1973Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico
4Win4–0Chuy LopezKO3 May 15, 1973Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico
3Win3–0Roberto NavarretteKO1 Apr 29, 1973Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico
2Win2–0Noe MoralesKO1 Apr 15, 1973Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico
1Win1–0Mario AmparanTKO6 Mar 25, 1973Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico