One of the hardest blows Jose Ramirez has taken in his ten years as a professional was losing his unbeaten record and his world titles in a single night.
For the Mexican American, losing was out of the equation when he stepped into the ring to challenge Scotland's Josh Taylor for the chance to become the undisputed champion. Instead, that May night, he lost by unanimous decision.
"It was very hard to accept, but now - thank God, my family, and my fans - I've come to terms with it. I'm very focused on coming back and re-earning that position and avenging what Taylor did to me," said the fighter, who will return on March 4, in an interview with DAZN News.
Ramirez makes his long-awaited return to action as he will face Puerto Rico's Jose Pedraza at the Save Mart Arena in Fresno, Calif., in a 12-round non-title bout.
"I've already accepted the loss, but whether it's with Taylor or whoever I want to get it out of the way, get the titles back and then move up to 147 pounds," he said.
"This fight taught me a lot because I had reached a level where you win, and you don't correct so much because you are winning. But when you lose, everything changes. Not that I wasn't humble, but it brought me back, and I recognized that I didn't correct those mistakes I had been making," he added.
One of the elements that helped Ramirez get over the bitter pill of this first defeat, after 26 professional fights, was the support of his family and fans. With messages and words of encouragement, they reminded him that one loss does not define him.
"They came back to me. They showed me their support. Boxing is a very difficult sport where the public changes very easily, but they reminded me why I am here. Now I'm a person who wants to earn the position. I want to come back and be Josh Taylor's mandatory challenger," he explained.
In turn, about his opponent, Ramirez knows that he can not take him lightly because now he knows what carelessness causes and more when he goes against a fighter who is a double world champion.
"It's difficult at a high level, and that's why I take these fights. People appreciate it when you are in these kinds of top-level fights. They have reminded me that I am good at what I do," he concluded.
For the Mexican American, losing was out of the equation when he stepped into the ring to challenge Scotland's Josh Taylor for the chance to become the undisputed champion. Instead, that May night, he lost by unanimous decision.
"It was very hard to accept, but now - thank God, my family, and my fans - I've come to terms with it. I'm very focused on coming back and re-earning that position and avenging what Taylor did to me," said the fighter, who will return on March 4, in an interview with DAZN News.
Ramirez makes his long-awaited return to action as he will face Puerto Rico's Jose Pedraza at the Save Mart Arena in Fresno, Calif., in a 12-round non-title bout.
"I've already accepted the loss, but whether it's with Taylor or whoever I want to get it out of the way, get the titles back and then move up to 147 pounds," he said.
"This fight taught me a lot because I had reached a level where you win, and you don't correct so much because you are winning. But when you lose, everything changes. Not that I wasn't humble, but it brought me back, and I recognized that I didn't correct those mistakes I had been making," he added.
One of the elements that helped Ramirez get over the bitter pill of this first defeat, after 26 professional fights, was the support of his family and fans. With messages and words of encouragement, they reminded him that one loss does not define him.
"They came back to me. They showed me their support. Boxing is a very difficult sport where the public changes very easily, but they reminded me why I am here. Now I'm a person who wants to earn the position. I want to come back and be Josh Taylor's mandatory challenger," he explained.
In turn, about his opponent, Ramirez knows that he can not take him lightly because now he knows what carelessness causes and more when he goes against a fighter who is a double world champion.
"It's difficult at a high level, and that's why I take these fights. People appreciate it when you are in these kinds of top-level fights. They have reminded me that I am good at what I do," he concluded.