If Jose Ramirez wasn’t a hero to farm workers in central California, he is now.
The junior welterweight titleholder, from the town of Avenal, has used his own resources to distribute supplies intended to bolster the immune systems of those who work in the fields during the coronavirus pandemic, Ramirez wrote on Instagram.
Ramirez wrote: “My team along with the @bautistafoundation have taken the step to help our Farm Workers during these times. They continue to work as they feed the world. We have started with a 1,000 boxes that include household essentials, vitamins, and masks for them and their family.
“If you would like to participate and be a part of this movement, we can reach a goal of 5,000 boxes. We have a go fund me account that will be linked in my bio. Let’s help feed those who feed us! Thank you in advance.”
He added during a video interview with TMZ: “We’re starting off with about a thousand boxes that include vitamins, food products, disinfectant supplies, cleaning supplies. The main thing is to boost their immune system.
“Those boxes are going to farm workers, people who continue working in the fields. As you know, they feed the world. People here in central California, they do 58 percent of all the produce we eat nationally. … I worked in the fields right next to them. They’re my neighbors.”
Ramirez’s title defense against Viktor Postol has been postpone twice, the second time indefinitely, because of the coronavirus threat.