On Saturday, February 3, 2018, Gilberto Ramirez (36-0, 24 KOs), from Mazatlan, Mexico, will step into the ring to make the third defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super Middleweight title against unknown Habib “Wild Hurricane” Ahmed (22-0, 17 KOs) from Accra, Ghana.
The fight will take place on Saturday, February 3, at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, TX, and will be televised live and exclusively at 10:30, pm EST on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN App.
In the co-main event, Jerwin Ancajas (26-1-1, 18 KOs), of Cavite City, Cavite, Philippines, looks to make the fourth defense of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) Junior Bantamweight world title against contender Israel Gonzalez (20-1, 8 KOs), of Cabo San Lucas, México.
Also in action, in separate bouts, will be Gabriel Flores, Teofimo Lopez and highly touted 17-year-old Israeli prospect David Kaminsky, a recent signee to Top Rank.
Fight-Night Extras:
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All photos by Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Live Boxing Results
Gilberto Ramirez vs. Habib Ahmed
Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (37-0, 25 KOs) is still WBO Super Middleweight champion after forcing Habib Ahmed’s (22-0-1, 17 KOs) corner to call for an end to the title tilt in Round 6.
Ramirez proved to have huge advantages in length and talent. He maintained the center of the ring, and utilized a number of feints to stuff his rangy punches into his man. The title challenger got it the worst in the final two rounds.
Halfway into Round 5, Ramirez snapped Ahmed’s head back. Then Ahmed’s mouth was left agape after a curling right hook. Some more right hands from Zurdo left his challenger stumbling around the ring.
Ramirez teed off on Ahmed in the corner until everybody had seen enough.
Jerwin Ancajas vs. Israel Gonzalez
Jerwin Ancajas (27-1-1, 19 KO) scored three knockdowns en-route to a 10th-round stoppage of Israel Gonzalez (20-2, 8 KO) in defense of his IBF Super Flyweight title.
Ancajas spoke on the phone with Manny Pacquiao last night, per Top Rank Promotions representatives. Pacquiao told the super flyweight titleholder to remain calm and not to let the pressure get to him.
Dutifully, the Pinoy champion remained cool and collected as he traded punches with a real warmonger in Gonzalez. Not only was Gonzalez on top of him, but the Texas crowd filled the arena with chants of “Mexico!” on multiple occasions. But they were soon Ancajas’ newest fans when Gonzalez hit the deck for good in the fateful round.
Jesse Hart vs. Thomas Awimbono
Jesse Hart (23-1, 19 KO) showed off the murderous punching power he inherited from his father “Cyclone” Hart and knocked out the bruising Thomas Awimbono (24-8-1, 20 KO) in the very first round.
Rohan Murdock vs. Frankie Filippone
Australia’s Rohan Murdock (22-1, 16 KO) ended Frankie Filippone’s (23-7, 8 KO) night early at the end of Round 5.
Filippone could not make it out of the corner after being knocked down twice in the fourth stanza. Murdock is on a 20-fight winning streak since losing on points in his third pro fight.
Teofimo Lopez vs. Juan Pablo Sanchez
At 20 years old, super prospect Teofimo Lopez (8-0, 6 KO) picked up an easy decision victory over 45-fight veteran Juan Pablo Sanchez (29-15, 14 KO) entertaining the crowd with crisp combinations and post-fight back flips.
Jose Benavidez vs. Matthew Strode
Former welterweight champion, Jose Benavidez (26-0, 16 KO) returned to the ring after a long layoff to stop Matthew Strode (24-6, 9 KO) in the eighth and final round.
Benavidez was nearly extended by Strode, who was last stopped by Mike Alvarado. Brother to one super middleweight titleholder David, Jose caught Strode leaning over in Round 8 and clipped him on the top of the head for the only knockdown of the bout.
Moments later, the referee was calling a halt to everything after an unanswered barrage of fists held up a helpless Strode on the ropes.
Gabriel Flores Jr. vs. Alex Solorio
Gabriel Flores Jr., just 17, defeated Alex Solorio in one round, earning the sixth victory of his career despite still being a teenager.
Flores flashed a crisp jab to open the bout. But it was a left hook that made Solorio stumble backwards. The California native continued to stay on top of his man and a flush right hand prompted the referee to end the fight in the opening stanza.
David Kaminsky vs. Rafael Munoz
17-year-old David Kaminsky (1-0, 0 KO) won by unanimous decision over Rafael Munoz (1-3-1, 0 KO) via scores of 40-36, 39-37 and 39-37.
“The Star of David” Kaminsky waited less than three minutes into his professional career to stir some drama. He pummeled the Texas native, Munoz around the ring but was wobbled himself after eating a stiff right hand at the end of Round 1.
Kaminsky continued to deliver punishment for the remaining three rounds. The teenager exerted everything he had to take out Munoz, grunting with every punch he threw.
