Winning a major title in the pro ranks is a significant accomplishment for most boxers.
For a two-time Olympic Gold medalist, it’s merely par for the course.
Make no mistake, Robeisy Ramirez is proud of the WBO featherweight title he claimed in a decisive points win over former 122-pound titlist Isaac Dogboe on April 1 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. However, the victory lap is reserved for when his arms are filled with hardware.
“My life hasn’t really changed much since winning the title,” Ramirez told BoxingScene.com. “It will change when I complete all of my goals. Winning this belt was only the first step. I won’t feel fulfilled at featherweight until I am the undisputed champion.”
“Iwas very happy to win the WBO title but we expected to win that. Collecting all the belts and making history is now the mission.”
It likely won’t be until 2024 when Ramirez has a legitimate chance to pursue his fellow divisional titlists. For now, the 29-year-old Cuban southpaw—who lives in Florida and trains in Las Vegas—will choose to remain active to stay ready for when that day should arrive. Next up for Ramirez (12-1, 7KOs) is a voluntary title defense versus Japan’s Satoshi Shimizu (11-1, 10KOs) as part of an ESPN+ telecast this Tuesday from Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
Stephen Fulton (21-0, 8KOs) puts his WBC/WBO junior featherweight title at stake versus former three-division champ Naoya Inoue (24-0, 21KOs) in the main event.
Ramirez is part of a revolving door at featherweight, where all four major titles changed hands in a ten-month span.
Rey Vargas is the division’s elder statesmen but has yet to defend the WBC title he claimed in a twelve-round points win over Mark Magsayo last July 9 in San Antonio, Texas. Behind him in terms of longevity is Mexicali’s Luis Alberto Lopez, who won the IBF belt in a majority decision victory over Josh Warrington last December 10 on the road in Leeds, England.
Leigh Wood lost and regained his WBA title in his two-fight set with Mauricio Lara in February and May, respectively. The fights bookended Ramirez’s arrival, with Lopez and Wood both specifically on the Cuban’s radar after July 25.
“I am very happy for Venado Lopez and for Leigh Wood. They deserve to be champions,” stated Ramirez. “Now it’s my turn to take care of business in the ring.
“After that, I look forward to fighting them or Rey Vargas if he is still champion by the time I can fight for the WBC title. Otherwise, whoever has the title by then. Once I get all four of those belts, then my life will truly change.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox