# José Luis Ramírez

José Luis Ramírez (born December 3, 1958) is a Mexican former professional boxer who was a two-time World Lightweight Champion. His most notable fights include two fights 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 media and 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 (82 KOs). Seven of Ramirez's nine career losses came against future Hall Of Fame members.

## Professional boxing record

| 111 fights | 102 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 82 | 1 |
| By decision | 19 | 8 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Age | Location | Notes |
| 111 | Loss | 102–9 | Martín Coggi | UD | 12 | Mar 24, 1990 | 31 years, 111 days | Ajaccio, France | For WBA light welterweight title |
| 110 | Loss | 102–8 | Pernell Whitaker | UD | 12 | Aug 20, 1989 | 30 years, 260 days | Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. | For IBF lightweight title; & vacant WBC, The Ring lightweight titles |
| 109 | Win | 102–7 | Juan Minaya | DQ | 5 (8) | Mar 10, 1989 | 30 years, 97 days | Palais des Sports de Beaublanc, Limoges, France | |
| 108 | Loss | 101–7 | Julio César Chávez | TD | 11 (12), 0:54 | Oct 29, 1988 | 29 years, 331 days | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Lost WBC lightweight title; For WBA and vacant The Ring lightweight title |
| 107 | Win | 101–6 | Pernell Whitaker | SD | 12 | Mar 12, 1988 | 29 years, 100 days | Stade de Levallois, Levallois-Perret, France | Retained WBC lightweight title |
| 106 | Win | 100–6 | John Rafuse | TKO | 4 (?) | Dec 19, 1987 | 29 years, 16 days | Palais Omnisport de Paris-Bercy, Bercy, France | |
| 105 | Win | 99–6 | Cornelius Boza-Edwards | KO | 5 (12) | Oct 10, 1987 | 28 years, 311 days | Zenith Palais, Paris, France | Retained WBC lightweight title |
| 104 | Win | 98–6 | Terrence Alli | UD | 12 | Jul 19, 1987 | 28 years, 228 days | Saint-Tropez, France | Won vacant WBC lightweight title |
| 103 | Win | 97–6 | Steve Mitchell | KO | 5 (?) | May 25, 1987 | 28 years, 173 days | Villeurbanne, France | |
| 102 | Win | 96–6 | Roger Brown | TKO | 7 (?) | May 12, 1987 | 28 years, 160 days | Le Mans, France | |
| 101 | Win | 95–6 | David Taylor | PTS | 10 | Apr 16, 1987 | 28 years, 134 days | Marseille, France | |
| 100 | Win | 94–6 | Efrain Nieves | TKO | 3 (?) | Mar 27, 1987 | 28 years, 114 days | Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France | |
| 99 | Win | 93–6 | John Sinegal | TKO | 2 (?) | Dec 8, 1986 | 28 years, 5 days | Usines Center, Paris, France | |
| 98 | Win | 92–6 | Charlie Brown | UD | 10 | Oct 25, 1986 | 27 years, 326 days | Zenith Palais, Paris, France | |
| 97 | Win | 91–6 | Nick Parker | TKO | 6 (?) | Sep 15, 1986 | 27 years, 286 days | Paris, France | |
| 96 | Loss | 90–6 | Héctor Camacho | UD | 12 | Aug 10, 1985 | 26 years, 250 days | Riviera Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Lost WBC lightweight title |
| 95 | Win | 90–5 | Manuel Hernandez | UD | 10 | Jun 6, 1985 | 26 years, 185 days | Riviera Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 94 | Win | 89–5 | J.T. Walker | TKO | 4 (10), 2:59 | Mar 13, 1985 | 26 years, 100 days | Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S. | |
| 93 | Win | 88–5 | Edwin Rosario | TKO | 4 (12), 2:52 | Nov 3, 1984 | 25 years, 336 days | Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Won WBC lightweight title |
| 92 | Win | 87–5 | Martin Quiroz | UD | 10 | Jun 2, 1984 | 25 years, 182 days | Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 91 | Win | 86–5 | Hector Medina | TKO | 4 (?) | May 11, 1984 | 25 years, 160 days | Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico | |
| 90 | Win | 85–5 | Victor Kelly | TKO | 3 (?) | Dec 30, 1983 | 25 years, 27 days | Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico | |
| 89 | Win | 84–5 | Manuel Sanchez | TKO | 3 (?) | Nov 4, 1983 | 24 years, 336 days | Arena Naucalpan, Naucalpan, México, Mexico | |
| 88 | Win | 83–5 | Joe Gallardo | KO | 2 (?) | Oct 7, 1983 | 24 years, 308 days | Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 87 | Loss | 82–5 | Edwin Rosario | UD | 12 | May 1, 1983 | 24 years, 149 days | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | For vacant WBC lightweight title |
| 86 | Win | 82–4 | Jose Cebreros | KO | 3 (?) | Feb 26, 1983 | 24 years, 85 days | San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
| 85 | Win | 81–4 | Frankie Moultrie | KO | 3 (12), 2:18 | Nov 26, 1982 | 23 years, 358 days | Astrodome, Houston, Texas, U.S. | Won vacant NABF lightweight title |
| 84 | Win | 80–4 | Ramon Avitia | KO | 6 (12) | Oct 23, 1982 | 23 years, 324 days | Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico | Retained Mexican lightweight title |
| 83 | Win | 79–4 | Francisco Delgado | KO | 4 (?) | Oct 1, 1982 | 23 years, 302 days | Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 82 | Win | 78–4 | Rigoberto Ruiz | KO | 5 (10) | Sep 10, 1982 | 23 years, 281 days | Municipal Stadium, San Jose, California, U.S. | |
| 81 | Win | 77–4 | Ernesto Herrera | TKO | 4 (?) | Aug 28, 1982 | 23 years, 268 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 80 | Win | 76–4 | Ricardo Peralta | TKO | 6 (12), 2:25 | Jun 25, 1982 | 23 years, 204 days | Municipal Stadium, San Jose, California, U.S. | Retained Mexican lightweight title |
| 79 | Win | 75–4 | Jorge Morales | PTS | 10 | May 8, 1982 | 23 years, 156 days | Municipal Stadium, San Jose, California, U.S. | |
| 78 | Win | 74–4 | Benjamin Abarca | KO | 3 (12) | Mar 19, 1982 | 23 years, 106 days | Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico | Retained Mexican lightweight title |
| 77 | Win | 73–4 | Benjamin Abarca | KO | 6 (12) | Oct 23, 1981 | 22 years, 324 days | Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico | Retained Mexican lightweight title |
| 76 | Win | 72–4 | Jose Luis Soberanes | PTS | 10 | Aug 28, 1981 | 22 years, 268 days | Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 75 | Loss | 71–4 | Ray Mancini | UD | 12 | Jul 19, 1981 | 22 years, 228 days | Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio, U.S. | For NABF lightweight title |
| 74 | Win | 71–3 | Ezequiel Cocoa Sanchez | UD | 10 | May 10, 1981 | 22 years, 158 days | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. | |
| 73 | Win | 70–3 | Celso Limon | KO | 1 (?) | Apr 9, 1981 | 22 years, 127 days | Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 72 | Win | 69–3 | Abdul Bey | KO | 3 (?) | Feb 27, 1981 | 22 years, 86 days | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 71 | Win | 68–3 | Ernesto Garfias | TKO | 7 (10) | Feb 7, 1981 | 22 years, 66 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 70 | Loss | 67–3 | Alexis Argüello | SD | 10 | Nov 14, 1980 | 21 years, 347 days | Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
| 69 | Win | 67–2 | Vicente Mijares | TKO | 6 (12) | Oct 11, 1980 | 21 years, 313 days | Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico | Retained Mexico lightweight title |
| 68 | Win | 66–2 | Dario De Jesus | TKO | 1 (10) | Aug 23, 1980 | 21 years, 264 days | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. | |
| 67 | Win | 65–2 | Manuel Sanchez | TKO | 6 (?) | Aug 10, 1980 | 21 years, 251 days | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 66 | Win | 64–2 | Jesus Cuate Lara | KO | 7 (10) | Jul 10, 1980 | 21 years, 220 days | Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 65 | Win | 63–2 | Rafael Nunez | KO | 1 (10) | Jun 19, 1980 | 21 years, 199 days | Memorial Fieldhouse, Tacoma, Washington, U.S. | |
| 64 | Win | 62–2 | German Cuello | KO | 8 (?) | Mar 21, 1980 | 21 years, 109 days | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. | |
| 63 | Win | 61–2 | Jose Torres | KO | 5 (10) | Feb 3, 1980 | 21 years, 16 days | Gimnasio, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico | |
| 62 | Win | 60–2 | Eric Bonilla | TKO | 4 (?) | Dec 19, 1979 | 21 years, 16 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 61 | Win | 59–2 | Ignacio Campos | TKO | 12 (12) | Nov 26, 1979 | 20 years, 358 days | Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico | Retained Mexican lightweight title |
| 60 | Win | 58–2 | Joe Gallardo | KO | 4 (?) | Nov 11, 1979 | 20 years, 343 days | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 59 | Win | 57–2 | Jose Luis Castillo | PTS | 12 | Sep 28, 1979 | 20 years, 299 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | Retained Mexican lightweight title |
| 58 | Win | 56–2 | Ignacio Campos | TKO | 7 (10) | Aug 20, 1979 | 20 years, 260 days | Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico | |
| 57 | Win | 55–2 | Antonio Nava | PTS | 10 | Jul 27, 1979 | 20 years, 236 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 56 | Win | 54–2 | Adrian Estrella | KO | 7 (?) | Jul 8, 1979 | 20 years, 217 days | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 55 | Win | 53–2 | Humberto Gutiérrez | KO | 9 (12) | Jun 15, 1979 | 20 years, 194 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | Won vacant Mexican lightweight title |
| 54 | Win | 52–2 | Saul Montana | KO | 7 (?) | Apr 6, 1979 | 20 years, 124 days | Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 53 | Win | 51–2 | Julio Nava | KO | 3 (?) | Mar 7, 1979 | 20 years, 94 days | Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 52 | Win | 50–2 | Aurelio Muniz | TKO | 9 (10) | Feb 2, 1979 | 20 years, 61 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 51 | Win | 49–2 | Cesar Savinon | TKO | 2 (?) | Dec 1, 1978 | 19 years, 363 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 50 | Win | 48–2 | David Bernal | KO | 3 (10) | Oct 20, 1978 | 19 years, 321 days | Auditorio Municipal, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico | |
| 49 | Win | 47–2 | Leonardo Bermudez | PTS | 10 | Sep 1, 1978 | 19 years, 272 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 48 | Win | 46–2 | Salvador Torres | TKO | 3 (?) | Jul 21, 1978 | 19 years, 230 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 47 | Win | 45–2 | Bobo Gonzalez | KO | 2 (?) | Jul 7, 1978 | 19 years, 216 days | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 46 | Win | 44–2 | Chito Felix | KO | 3 (?) | Jun 23, 1978 | 19 years, 202 days | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 45 | Loss | 43–2 | Rubén Olivares | TKO | 2 (10) | Apr 28, 1978 | 19 years, 146 days | Arena, Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 44 | Win | 43–1 | Ramon Peraza | KO | 3 (?) | Feb 17, 1978 | 19 years, 76 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 43 | Win | 42–1 | Henry Jacobo | KO | 4 (?) | Feb 3, 1978 | 19 years, 62 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 42 | Win | 41–1 | Joe Gallardo | KO | 7 (?) | Jan 7, 1978 | 19 years, 35 days | La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico | |
| 41 | Win | 40–1 | Camilo Ibarra | KO | 7 (?) | Dec 7, 1977 | 19 years, 4 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 40 | Win | 39–1 | Aurelio Muniz | PTS | 10 | Aug 1, 1977 | 18 years, 241 days | Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico | |
| 39 | Win | 38–1 | Hector Munoz | KO | 7 (?) | Jul 7, 1977 | 18 years, 216 days | Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico | |
| 38 | Win | 37–1 | Carlos Ulloa | KO | 1 (?) | Jun 29, 1977 | 18 years, 208 days | Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico | |
| 37 | Win | 36–1 | Nexae Macias | TKO | 1 (?) | Jun 17, 1977 | 18 years, 196 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 36 | Win | 35–1 | Rolando Martinez | KO | 1 (?) | Apr 12, 1977 | 18 years, 130 days | La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico | |
| 35 | Win | 34–1 | Ramon Peraza | PTS | 10 | Feb 11, 1977 | 18 years, 70 days | Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico | |
| 34 | Win | 33–1 | Jesus Cuate Lara | KO | 4 (?) | Nov 15, 1976 | 17 years, 348 days | Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico | |
| 33 | Win | 32–1 | Jose Delgado | TKO | 5 (?) | Nov 5, 1976 | 17 years, 338 days | Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 32 | Win | 31–1 | Jose Delgado | KO | 3 (?) | Sep 27, 1976 | 17 years, 299 days | Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico | |
| 31 | Win | 30–1 | Elio Hernandez | TKO | 3 (?) | Sep 13, 1976 | 17 years, 285 days | Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico | |
| 30 | Win | 29–1 | Rosendo Ramirez | TKO | 5 (?) | Aug 6, 1976 | 17 years, 247 days | Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico | |
| 29 | Win | 28–1 | Javier Rios | KO | 1 (?) | Jun 7, 1976 | 17 years, 187 days | Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico | |
| 28 | Win | 27–1 | Ray Esparza | TKO | 4 (?) | May 17, 1976 | 17 years, 166 days | Arena Tijuana 72, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico | |
| 27 | Win | 26–1 | Frankie Crawford | TKO | 7 (?) | Feb 13, 1976 | 17 years, 72 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 26 | Win | 25–1 | Lorenzo Maldonaldo | KO | 3 (?) | Oct 1, 1975 | 16 years, 302 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 25 | Win | 24–1 | Cono Lopez | KO | 5 (10) | Aug 15, 1975 | 16 years, 255 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 24 | Win | 23–1 | Nino Gonzalez | PTS | 10 | Jun 18, 1975 | 16 years, 197 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 23 | Win | 22–1 | Ernesto Castillo | KO | 2 (?) | May 21, 1975 | 16 years, 169 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 22 | Loss | 21–1 | Sergio Enriquez | PTS | 10 | Apr 30, 1975 | 16 years, 148 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Jose Luis Lizarraga | KO | 3 (?) | Apr 18, 1975 | 16 years, 136 days | Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Pajaro Morales | KO | 2 (?) | Mar 21, 1975 | 16 years, 108 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Pajaro Morales | KO | 5 (?) | Jul 16, 1974 | 15 years, 225 days | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Solomon Tapia | PTS | 8 | Jun 14, 1974 | 15 years, 193 days | Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Enrique Torres | KO | 3 (?) | May 17, 1974 | 15 years, 165 days | Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Jose Gonzalez | KO | 1 (?) | May 12, 1974 | 15 years, 160 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Rudy Sanchez | KO | 2 (?) | May 7, 1974 | 15 years, 155 days | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Gustavo Guerrero | PTS | 8 | Apr 5, 1974 | 15 years, 123 days | Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Indio Huicosa | KO | 2 (?) | Mar 29, 1974 | 15 years, 116 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Mario Fortanel | KO | 3 (?) | Mar 16, 1974 | 15 years, 103 days | Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Alberto Perez | KO | 5 (10) | Oct 30, 1973 | 14 years, 331 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Indio Huicosa | PTS | 6 | Oct 10, 1973 | 14 years, 311 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Jesse Torres | KO | 1 (?) | Sep 20, 1973 | 14 years, 291 days | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Gustavo Guerrero | TKO | 5 (?) | Aug 30, 1973 | 14 years, 270 days | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Lino Munoz | KO | 3 (?) | Aug 15, 1973 | 14 years, 255 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Delfino Mendoza | PTS | 6 | Aug 1, 1973 | 14 years, 241 days | Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Delfino Mendoza | KO | 1 (?) | Jul 12, 1973 | 14 years, 221 days | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Chuy Lopez | KO | 3 (?) | May 15, 1973 | 14 years, 163 days | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Roberto Navarrette | KO | 1 (?) | Apr 29, 1973 | 14 years, 147 days | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Noe Morales | KO | 1 (?) | Apr 15, 1973 | 14 years, 133 days | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Mario Amparan | TKO | 6 (?) | Mar 25, 1973 | 14 years, 143 days | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico | |