Tokyo, Japan – “El Tren” traveled halfway around the world and authored a devastating performance. In his first title defense, WBO featherweight world champion Robeisy Ramirez dominated Japanese challenger Satoshi Shimizu en route to a fifth-round TKO.
The two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist had little trouble figuring out Shimizu (11-2, 10 KOs), a two-time Olympian who had won three straight fights entering his first world title opportunity. Ramirez (13-1, 8 KOs) stayed in the pocket against his taller foe, ripping Shimizu with uppercuts and right hooks around his high guard.
In the fifth, Ramirez floored Shimizu with a left uppercut. Shimizu rose from the canvas with a bloody nose and had no answer for the follow-up flurry. A pair of right hooks, followed by a crunching left, forced referee Ramon Pena to step in and halt the one-way beating.
Ramirez said, “This was a tremendous experience. It is a blessing to be able to demonstrate my talent in a stadium full of people and in this part of the world. I am grateful and happy. The job is done.
“Now I set my sights on a world title unification clash. I am ready to go to Japan, Scotland, England, Mexico, wherever we have to fight. I will always be available to do my job”
One possibility for Ramirez’s future is a showdown with pound-for-pound puncher Naoya Inoue. Both men are promoted by Top Rank.
Inoue headlined the card, with a knockout of Stephen Fulton to capture the WBO, WBC super bantamweight titles. The Japanese star intends to become the undisputed champion at 122 by year’s end.
Top Rank’s CEO Bob Arum has already mentioned the scenario of Inoue facing Ramirez.