Philippines, 17 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Livin’ The American Dream NABA super flyweight champion John “Scrappy” Ramirez

PhilBoxing.com


LAS VEGAS (March 14, 2023, 2023) – Undefeated North American Boxing Association (NABA) Super Flyweight Champion John “Scrappy” Ramirez (11-0, 8 KOs) is literally living the American Dream.

Despite growing up in a broken home on the crime infested streets of South-Central Los Angeles, unable to speak English when he resettled back in LA from Honduras, where he lived with his father, “Scrappy” had every conceivable reason to go down the wrong path. Yet, the fast-rising boxer is knocking on the door of stardom in the most unforgiving sport of professional boxing.

“I am the American Dream,” the fan-friendly fighter proclaimed. “All the hard times have made me stronger. My father and mother put food on the table and the lights on. When you overcome what I have in life, the hard times become easy times. I love life and I’m inspiring people with my story, but I don’t live in the past and I look forward to my future. I’ve never been the type of person to complain about the hard times. I’ve come a long way and overcome a lot. I believe in the American Dream and I’m living it.”

“Scrappy” is on the fast track, ranked No. 2 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), and he accepted the offer to face veteran Thai boxer Sirichai Thaiyen (64-4, 42 KOs), rated No, 3 (the No. 1 spot is open), in a WBA Title Eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for WBA Super Flyweight World Champion Joshua “El Profesor” Franco (18-1-3, 8 KOs).

Ramirez captured the NABA crown last May 14th in Ontario, California, registering a Knockout of the Year-caliber performance against Jan Salvatierra (8-1), who lasted only 2:25 in the opening round, blasted through the ropes and out of the ring.

In his most recent action this past February 23rd, “Scrappy” successfully defended his NABA belt for the first time, taking a 10-round unanimous decision (100-90, 99-91, 99-91) over Luis Villa Padilla (16-3-2) in the main event at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California. Even though he won 9 rounds on two of the judges’ scorecards, all 10 on the other, “Scrappy” received some criticism that the 26-year-old Ramirez has dealt with like a seasoned veteran.

“That was a mostly Mexican crowd that wasn’t rocking with me,” Ramirez explained. “The guy I fought was Mexican and I’m out-spoken, flashy, and confident. I know the culture and they thought I was too cocky. And they thought I was an African American. I fought a tough opponent and I tried to get him out early. In the fifth round, I told myself to enjoy the process, don’t rush, and have fun. I displayed my skills for 10 rounds and got the W.

“If I don’t knockout an opponent, they complain; if I out-box my opponent, it’s too boring for them; if I get hit too much, they think I need to work on my defense. I could have made it a boring fight if I had just jabbed, but that would have made the fight boring. I broke him down. I see how people view me. They have big expectations, but I created those. I didn’t knock out my last opponent, but I was the superior fighter, playing on a different level. I’m a promotional free agent (managed by 3 Prime Management) who is a championship fighter in my first main event.”

“Scrappy” isn’t waiting for Thaiyen or even Franco, to the contrary. The entertaining fighter was to remain active, hopefully fighting three more times in 2023, whether or not that includes a WBA Eliminator or World title shot.

“If those fights are meant to happen,” Ramirez added, “it will and, if not, I’ll keep fighting to get better. Anything is possible in this business. Everything has happened quicker than expected for me. I’m on the fast track and I’ll go with the flow. I’m ready for anything.

“Becoming world champion is the main goal….then, I want the second, and eventually the rest of the belts. Franco has what I want and I’m coming!”

“Scrappy” Ramirez is truly living the American Dream.

INFORMATION:
Facebook: /JohnRamirez
Instagram: @Scrappyboxing




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Apolinar, Santisima to fight on June 19 in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Canoy still waiting for his US visa for June 20 fight against Collazo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • "Hand of Stone" Roberto Durán celebrates 75th birthday
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Sy-Tancontian excited on Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Backs RP Blu Girls' Intensive Japan Training Camp Ahead of Women's Softball World Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Digos 2 Malita 70km Ultramarathon on June 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 17 JUNE 2026: Bam Stops Vargas in 6; Wins by Michel Soro, Wilkens Mathieu, Elif Nur Turhan, Nataly Delgado and Abraham Perez
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated world champion Ataev faces experienced Venezuelan puncher Uzcátegui at IBA PRO 19
    , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Full Fight Card Set for MF Pro’s “Pugilist Revolution” June 19 at Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Campbell son of Ricky Hatton confirms ring return
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Deaño to fight for ABF super feather title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Former champ Andy Ruiz could return against Huggie Fury in 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Mexican legend Jackie Nava inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 15 Jun 2026
  • Ronnie Alvarez Dominates Filip Stankovic, Scores Seventh-Round TKO at Desert Diamond Arena
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • THE CROWNING OF BAM: Rodriguez Overcomes Early Storm to Detonate Vargas in Six, Eyes Inoue Super-Fight
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • New York Knicks win the NBA Championship with historic comeback
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian superstar Nataly Delgado wins 115lb female WBA world championship in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • IBA Bare Knuckle to make historic United States debut in Miami
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Laurente remains undefeated, TKOs Aguan in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Foundation stone laid for the first-ever IBA arena in Dushanbe
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Jerick Faeldonia Wins One Chess Movement Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Bam Rodriguez vs Antonio Vargas & Martinez vs Cardenas Preview and Picks
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Popper vs. Seldon Jr. Official Weights for June 13 in Atlantic City
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • GLENDALE, AZ FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR BAM VS VARGAS – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Middleweight Amir Anderson Meets Jonas Sylvain in Battle of Unbeatens on DAZN
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.