Jesus Ramos Jr. Captures WBC Interim Middleweight Title

Jesus Ramos Jr. validated his move to middleweight on Saturday night, grinding out a hard-fought victory over Shane Mosley Jr. to win the WBC interim middleweight championship. Though neither fighter entered the bout ranked by the sanctioning body, the matchup was surprisingly elevated to title status and Ramos took full advantage.

The 24-year-old southpaw had grown frustrated by a lack of opportunities at junior middleweight, prompting the jump to 160. The risk proved worthwhile, though not without turbulence.

Ramos (now competing at 160) staggered Mosley in the opening minute of the fight with a sharp straight left, only for Mosley to respond seconds later with a right hand that backed Ramos up. The pattern of give-and-take would become the theme of the night.

Ramos went to the body early, digging left hands into Mosley’s ribs during the second round. His right hook landed clean in the third, though Mosley had flashes of momentum too including a strong right hand in the fourth that forced Ramos backward.

Mosley, 34, was returning from a 17-month layoff, but his timing and sharpness were better than expected. Still, Ramos’ heavier shots carried the more telling effect.

Jesus Ramos’ best work came between rounds five and seven. Two left hands halted Mosley’s forward pressure in the fifth, though Mosley fired back with right hands along the ropes.

In the sixth, Ramos connected with a clean right hook and followed with a right uppercut straight left combination that froze Mosley in place. Another big left hand buzzed Mosley in the seventh, prompting Ramos to box more conservatively as he banked rounds.