Philippines, 29 Jul 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:

  • VETERAN SAVVY VS UNDEFEATED POWER: MUGICHA NAKAGAWA VS LEMUEL DE BARBO AUGUST 1 IN LA TRINIDAD
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 29 Jul 2026
  • SKYE NICOLSON TO DEFEND WORLD TITLE AGAINST MIYO YOSHIDA ON AUG 29 IN BIRMINGHAM AS MATCHROOM AND MVP ANNOUNCE ALLIANCE
    , Wed, 29 Jul 2026
  • Tickets for Martinez vs. Plantic in Los Angles, Saturday, August 29
    , Wed, 29 Jul 2026
  • Grandy Twins Celebrate Milestone 18th Birthday, Set to Shine at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights" on August 14
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Sergeev and Lubkovich set for key bouts at WINLINE. IBA.PRO 20 in Naberezhnye Chelny
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Hard-hitting SEA Games bronze medalist Mark Ashley Fajardo signs with Sanman Boxing
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 27 JULY 2026: Tszyu vs Spence, Return of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury Highlight Busy Week
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • The Legacy Continues: Team Durán Prepares for Historic Panama-Mexico Showdown
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • NM Ric Portugalera Tops Hongkong Blitz Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Nurghali gets second shot at Japparbergenov’s bantamweight title at International Boxing Day in Astana
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Champion's Mindset: Gustavo Trujillo Ready to Defend BKB Heavyweight Title Against Mark O'Neil at BKB 58
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Spanish boxer Eddine has been Hospitalized in Spain
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • PH football in group C, G
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • PHILBOXING.COM MONDAY ROUNDUP: Tszyu Outclasses Spence in Sydney as "The Truth" Retires; Heavyweight Drama in Pattaya and Jeddah
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • 'The Fight Is Signed': Hearn Declares Joshua vs. Fury Secured as Mind Games Begin with 'Landlord' Spoof
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Chezka Centeno wins 3rd world title by ruling the Oneida WPA Women's World 8-Ball Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • CARE conducts 6.5mile open water in Davao Gulf
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Mise, Arellano rule Davao-Japan golfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Berlanga, Hitchins Win in Zuffa Boxing New York Event
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • World champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay to headline International Boxing Day in Astana
    , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Cyrud "The Ferocious" Cabautan Defeats Michael "D' Power Fist" Diaz in Olympus Rising by TWC Amateur MMA Fight
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • USA Boxing Earns Four Wins at 2026 Capri Boxing Cup
    , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Tim Tszyu Dominates Spence in Wide UD Win as 'The Truth' Formally Retires
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • Joshua Survives Early Knockdowns to Stop Prenga, Clearing Path for Fury Mega-Fight
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • Weigh-In Results - All Set for the Main Event Between Steven Butler and Edgar Berlanga Tomorrow Night in New York City!
    , Sun, 26 Jul 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.