Philippines, 17 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:

  • MCGIRT: WE HAVEN’T SCRATCHED THE SURFACE OF PACHECO’S TALENT
    , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Announces Tickets Are Now on Sale & Special Guests Confirmed for 10th Annual Awards & Induction Weekend
    , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • Puma Half Marathon kicks off July 19
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • Asian Youth Chess in China
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • NONSTOP ACTION ADDED TO ROACH VS. ZEPEDA WITH STACKED UNDERCARD
    , Thu, 16 Jul 2026
  • Heavyweight Dainier Pero Looks to Continue His Climb Against Aleem Whitfield Live on ESPN
    , Thu, 16 Jul 2026
  • Ryan Garcia Set to Defend World Title Against Conor Benn in Paramount+ Global Bout at T-Mobile Arena on September 12 over Mexican Independence Day Weekend
    , Thu, 16 Jul 2026
  • Fight Result: Yuga Ozaki Stops Jerry Francisco in Tokyo
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 16 Jul 2026
  • Bruno Tarimo returns to Headline Dragon Fire Boxings next event; BOXINGMANIA August 8th in a WBA Championship clash with Junlun Zhao
    , Thu, 16 Jul 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The WBC Reaps Rewards in Uruguay
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 15 Jul 2026
  • Risky proposition for Charly
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 15 Jul 2026
  • Michael Zerafa opponent revealed as August 12 tickets go on sale for Gold Coast blockbuster
    , Wed, 15 Jul 2026
  • Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls Stay in the Hunt Despite Opening Setback, Shift Focus to Japan Showdown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 15 Jul 2026
  • BiYu Promotions' Yusniel Abrahante Ready to Shock Undefeated Luis Coria on ProBox TV This Saturday
    , Wed, 15 Jul 2026
  • Showdown in Tokyo: Jerry Francisco Challenges Undefeated Yuga Ozaki for WBO Asia Pacific Title Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 15 Jul 2026
  • RUIZ JR. FACES KNYBA AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER, NEWARK, NJ ON SEPT 4 – LIVE ON TNT AND DAZN
    , Wed, 15 Jul 2026
  • MATCHROOM AND DAZN LAUNCH PROJECT SERIES ON AUG 28
    , Wed, 15 Jul 2026
  • Pinoy woodpushers confident in Asian Youth tilt in Shenzhen, China
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 15 Jul 2026
  • CARE conducts WASSAR training course for Junior Lifeguards in Digos
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 15 Jul 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 13 JULY 2026: Gassiev Stops Kadiru, Retains WBA Heavy Title; Suslenko Beats Joyce; Ataev Outpoints Uzcategui
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 14 Jul 2026
  • Two World Title Fights are added to AJ-Prenga undercard at 'The Comeback' in Jeddah
    , Tue, 14 Jul 2026
  • Perez willing to have a trilogy with Eman
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Jul 2026
  • MANILA ROARS BACK: THE REYES CUP AND PHILIPPINES OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP RETURN FOR 2026
    , Mon, 13 Jul 2026
  • Jayr Raquinel Avenges Compatriots with First-Round Stoppage Over Kenbun Torres in Osaka
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 13 Jul 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev backs Gassiev for heavyweight unification fights after IBA Pro 19 title defence
    , Mon, 13 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.