Jose Ramirez vs. Viktor Postol. Finally.
Ramirez will defend his junior welterweight titles against Postol on Aug. 29 in the bubble at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, it was formally announced Thursday. The card will be streamed on ESPN+.
The fight was set for February 2 in China and then again on May 9 in Fresno, Ramirez’s hometown, but it gave way to COVID-19 each time.
Ramirez (25-0, 17 KOs) won the title by easily outpointing Amir Imam in March 2018 and has successfully defend three times, becoming one of the hotter young boxers. He’s coming off a sensational sixth-round knockout of previously unbeaten Maurice Hooker in July of last year.
Ramirez holds two 140-pound titles. Josh Taylor has the other two. That’s a fight waiting to happen.
“I’m excited to finally be back. It’s always an honor stepping into the ring, fighting a guy like Postol and defending my belts,” Ramirez said. “God knows that my goal is to become the undisputed champion, and this gets me one step closer to my goal.”
Postol (31-2, 12 KOs) stopped Lucas Matthysse in 2015 to win a junior welterweight title but lost it by a wide decision to Terence Crawford in his next fight.
The U.S.-based Ukrainian is 3-1 since, losing to Taylor in June 2018.
“I’m just looking forward to fighting,” Postol said. “I’m coming to win those world titles. I have been training since this fight was first announced, so I’m focused and ready to go.”
In the co-feature, unbeaten junior welterweight contender Arnold Barboza (23-0, 10 KOs) of South El Monte, Calif., will face Canadian veteran Tony Luis (29-3, 10 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round bout.
Barboza is coming off three knockouts in three fights in 2019. Luis hasn’t lost a fight since he was narrowly outpointed by Derry Mathews in 2015.
“Tony Luis is as tough as they come,” Barboza said. “He won’t lay down for me. He sees this as a big opportunity, and I can’t let him take it. To be honest, the whole no fans thing, I’m more curious than anything. I’ve fought in front of limited fans deep on undercards before.
“Once you’re in the ring, there’s no difference. I am happy to be part of this bubble experience because it will go down in history.”
The live stream begins at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT. Ramirez and Postol are expected to enter the ring around 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
[lawrence-related id=8381,8210,6323]