Uppercut Magazine.com - Lightweights Clash

By David A. Avila and Katherine Rodriguez

A crucial fight takes place between rising lightweight contenders when Santa Ana’s Luis Ramos tangles with Hollywood’s Raymundo “Sugar” Beltran on Friday. The winner moves on toward dreams of a world title. The loser, well, he just moves on.

Undefeated Ramos (20-0, 9 KOs) finds himself locked in a pivotal showdown against battle tested Beltran (25-5, 17 KOs) on Jan. 6 at Fantasy Springs Casino. The Golden Boy Promotions fight card will be televised on Showtime.

“We try to match them very tough,” said Robert Diaz, matchmaker for Golden Boy.

Beltran arrives from the Wild Card Boxing gym under trainer Freddie Roach’s supervision. The boxer who hails from Los Mochis, Mex. knows through experience that a closely fought contest will not go in his favor.

“If this fights goes to a decision I know I’m not going to win,” says Beltran unabashedly and who is promoted by Steve Bash. “The only way that I can win is by knockout.”

Losses to Sharif Bogere, Agnaldo Nunes and two others were hometown decisions claims Beltran.

“Not my loss to Ameth Diaz,” offers Beltran, 30, who has an effective counter-punching style. “I lost that fight. I wasn’t in shape, but that was my fault.”

A decision loss to Bogere was widely disputed by Beltran and many others. It’s the primary reason the Mexican lightweight aims to win conclusively.

“I’ve got to win by knockout, there is no other way,” Beltran says.

Ramos’s manager Frank Espinoza knows that his fighter will enter the ring against the toughest opposition possible.

“This is a fight he has to win to move on to the next level,” says Espinoza who also manages current bantamweight world champion Abner Mares. “It’s not going to be easy.”

The aggressive southpaw Ramos last fought at Fantasy Springs Casino against Francisco Lorenzo in a seesaw battle he won by decision seven months ago.

“I’ve been preparing myself a long time for this opportunity,” said Ramos about being featured on a nationally televised fight. “This fight means a lot to me and to achieve my dream of being a world champion.”

Beltran feels his various wars against top tier lightweights and various ring wars at the Wild Card gym give him an edge.

“If you’re not ready to go to war they’ll run you right out of there,” says Beltran of sparring at the Wild Card.

Ramos, 23, trains at Santa Ana which has produced several prized prospects including Ronny Rios.

“Raymundo Beltran is no ordinary opponent, he’s fought the best,” says Ramos a speedy boxer-puncher. “I know Beltran will be prepared, but I will too.”

Also on the fight card will be two other undefeated lightweight prospects Michael “The Artist” Perez  (15-0-1, 9 KOs) and Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (13-0-1, 10 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round match. Perez fights out of Newark and Figueroa from Texas.

East L.A.’s Frankie Gomez (12-0, 9 KOs) is also scheduled to fight. For more information call (800) 827-2946.

Boxing great

Hall of Fame boxing great Larry Holmes will attend the fight card at Fantasy Springs Casino on Friday.

Holmes is considered one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time and participated in a number of bruising battles against Muhammad Ali, Ken Norton, Gerry Cooney, Mike Tyson and Michael Spinks.

Free Showtime

Showtime will be free for non-subscribers from Jan. 6 through Jan. 8, including the boxing card at Fantasy Springs.

“We’re excited to be back on Shobox and it’s a free preview weekend,” said Bash who promotes Beltran.

The semi-main event will also be televised by Showtime.

Fights on television

Fri. ESPN2, 6 p.m., Dyah Davis (20-2-1) vs. Alfonso Lopez (22-1).

Fri. Showtime, 11 p.m., Luis Ramos (20-0) vs. Raymundo Beltran (25-5).

Sat. Showtime, 10 p.m., Rockhold vs. Jardine