Undefeated star John Ramirez sent Jan Salvatierra crashing through the ropes and out of the ring with a brutal knockout in the opening round of their contest last night.
Ramirez was fighting to keep his undefeated streak having recorded nine victories since making his professional bow. He faced Salvatierra looking to make a move to world-level with another success.
'Scrappy' had a quiet opening to the first stanza but managed to work a sensational opening just before the midway point. The American star seized his opportunity landing a flush shot square on his opponent's chin which saw Salvatierra sent stumbling backwards towards the edge of the ring.
Salvatierra flew through the ropes backwards and was about to hit the floor before being held up by a photographer who reacted quickly to prevent him making a thudding impact. The photographer later helped roll Salvatierra back in the ring who was visibly stiffened by the shot despite managing to not suffer any severe damage.
The referee Ivan Guillermo quickly took a decision to halt the contest after checking Salvatierra's face with the victory handing rising star Ramirez the NABA super-featherweight title. Ramirez admitted after the fight that his opponent needed to pay for making a mistake and leaving himself open early on.
“He made a mistake and he had to pay,” Ramirez said during the post-fight interview. “He was not on my level. Joshua Franco, [Jesse] Bam Rodriguez, anyone with a belt I’m coming for you. I’m not here to take part, I’m here to take over! I want to fight the best out there. I don’t care. How can you be the best of you don’t face the best out there."
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Salvatierra has now dropped to an 8-2 record taking the second defeat of his career, while Ramirez continued his sparkling run as he looks to chase a future world-title shot. Also on the card Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez defeated Dominic Boesel with a fourth-round stoppage in the main event of the card staged at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
Ramirez was delighted with his performance and immediately issued a fight call-out of Dmitry Bivol after his victory over Canelo Alvarez last weekend. "I feel great about my performance," Ramirez said. "As I said, I would put on a spectacular show here in L.A. I got the victory via knock-out. I was expecting his best; we were expecting heavy shots.
"I know my last fight was tough, but I was really prepared for this one. I ate more tacos for this fight. I feel this is my natural weight. Everyone knows I want Bivol. He needs to stop running and sign the contract. I’m coming for you and that belt. I deserve that fight. I think I can beat him since I’m bigger, stronger, and smarter."
