By Sean Wippert at ringside: The main event of the evening at the Friday Night Fights at the Pearl inside the Palms Hotel and Casino had all the makings of a top-notch title bout. Cuba’s Guillermo Rigondeaux (9-0, 7 KOs) had won 18 different amateur gold medals and was rated by many as one of the best in the division. Standing across from him was the undefeated and very promising young titleholder Rico “Suavecito” Ramos, who was coming of a devastating title defense over Akifumi Shinoda. Even before the bell sounded, everyone in attendance greatly anticipated fireworks.
After a very timid opening by both fighters Rigondeaux struck first blood, landing a left-right combination that floored Ramos. He got back to his feet and the pace immediately went back to its less than tepid feel. This unfortunately became the norm for not only the rest of the round, but for the next several that followed. It was as though neither fighter wanted to pull the trigger.
It took a headbutt in the middle part of the sixth round to finally get things going. Rigondeaux unloaded a barrage of brutal shots that drove Ramos back onto the ropes and eventually into the corner. A punishing left hook to the body found its mark, crippling Ramos and sending him to the canvas for the second and final time of the night. Referee Joe Cortez stopped the fight at the 1:29 mark of the sixth round and awarded “El Chacal” with a win.
“Rico Ramos is a very good fighter,” Rigondeaux said after his KO victory. “But I train very hard and when I train, no one can beat me.”
He proved himself accurate because once he got things going, Ramos virtually had no chance.
“He showed he was a true champion,” a dejected Ramos, now 20-1 (11) said afterward. “He was real tough. I showed I was a true champion by getting up.”
January 20, 2012
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