Jose Ramirez will let his fists do his talking against Josh Taylor on Saturday night

Struggle week often slows down time for Jose Ramirez. The WBC/WBO junior welterweight titlist can’t look forward to the primary bell to battle Ring Journal champion and IBF/WBA junior welterweight titleholder Josh Taylor this Saturday for the undisputed 140-pound world championship on the Virgin Accommodations in Las Vegas.

This megafight will likely be broadcast on ESPN (8:30 p.m. ET/ 5:30 p.m. PT) and can stream dwell within the U.Okay. on FITE for £9.99 (protection begins at 1:30 a.m. U.Okay. time).

Ramirez (26-0, 17 knockouts) is a honest straight-shooter, in all probability one of the vital real guys in boxing. The 28-year-old Mexican-American doesn’t play the hyperbole sport. He’s not going to go yelling and screaming right into a digicam or make movies displaying himself slicing by means of sparring companions on YouTube.

He’s extra old-school.

He’s additionally been drastically underestimated and underappreciated all through his profession. His upcoming battle with the 30-year-old southpaw Taylor (17-0, 13 KOs) hasn’t carried the crossover enchantment because it ought to.

Ramirez’s matchup in opposition to the acclaimed Scott has appeared to have been misplaced within the haze of the continued Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder-Anthony Joshua vacuum, and Floyd Mayweather’s upcoming exhibition in opposition to social media influencer Logan Paul.

And if Ramirez wanted any extra incentive, he simply turned a father for the second time just lately, with the start of his daughter.

“Individuals don’t notice how good I’m till they’re in entrance of me, however that’s been that method my complete profession,” Ramirez mentioned. “I’ve one other mouth to feed, and I would like them to know that their father was not a bum and that he was a very good man who labored very laborious at what he did.

“Earlier than you already know it, Could 22 will likely be right here and I’ll battle like I by no means fought earlier than. I’m in fine condition and I’m in good spirits. Josh Taylor goes to see a father and a person who could be very disciplined and can really feel the vibe that I’m right here to do my job, and a person who’s fearless and prepared to work more durable than anyone.

“I’ve nothing unfavourable to say about Josh Taylor. He’s a very good fighter and a very good man, and I’ll say it once more, folks don’t notice how good I’m till they’re in entrance of me. They don’t notice how sturdy and decided I’m.”

Ramirez is irked by the present state of boxing. He doesn’t put out movies of his sparring periods, as a result of he feels no have to embarrass one other fighter.

“It’s working with all of those YouTubers doing it, and calling out fighters that there isn’t a method that they’re ever going to battle, and that’s not me,” Ramirez mentioned. “The best way some folks see boxing at present it’s prefer it’s professional wrestling. I’ve a very good fighter in entrance of me who does deserve the eye. I like how I’ve been placing my punches collectively throughout this coaching camp.”

Ramirez sparred 147, 154 and 160-pounders. These inside Ramirez camp say that “he’s punching more durable than he ever has.”

Robert Garcia, Ramirez’s coach, says that is one of the best his fighter has ever seemed.

“We’ve had a extremely good coaching camp and Jose’s mentality has been nice,” Garcia mentioned. “One factor about Jose is mentally proper now he’s been in one of the best state ever. He went by means of a troublesome time final 12 months with the three cancelled dates with (Viktor) Postol. Jose went by means of the frustration of three coaching camps, not seeing his household and never understanding when the Postol battle was going to happen.

“However I say it’s one of the best factor that occurred to Jose, and at one of the best time. There may be lots of frustration that’s constructed up. The Postol battle wasn’t Jose’s greatest efficiency, as a result of his mentality wasn’t as optimistic because it ought to have been. This coaching camp has been utterly the other. He began coaching camp 12 weeks in the past, his household has been round on the weekends, and for nearly an entire 12 months final 12 months he couldn’t try this due to the pandemic.”

Garcia has seen an excellent larger change in Ramirez.

“Joe’s starvation to make historical past as the primary Mexican-American to be the primary ever four-belt champion is nice motivation,” Garcia mentioned. “Jose is already very sturdy mentally. Now together with his daughter being born and the prospect to make historical past has made him even stronger. I additionally realize it bothers Jose that he’s ignored, and he shouldn’t be.

“Jose and Josh notice that they’re making historical past, and this ought to be an enormous battle within the boxing world and it’s ignored. It doesn’t trouble me. It pushes me and motivates Jose. We see what’s going on on the market, with the YouTubers and these exhibitions occurring, and it solely pushes us extra.

“This battle will change the lifetime of the winner.”

Ramirez, the Ring’s No. 1 junior welterweight, feels that will likely be him on Saturday night time.

“The ready half has all the time been one of many hardest elements for me, as a result of the final 9 weeks in coaching camp glided by quick,” Ramirez mentioned. “I can’t look forward to the opening bell. Time stops after the battle. Nobody is aware of how a lot I would like this, and the way a lot I respect the game of boxing, aside from Robert and my workforce.

“Day by day for me is a aim for me to offer my greatest. I’m going into this prepared, relaxed and calm. I’m going to do nicely and I’m going to battle with all of my coronary heart and can. My aim is to depart Saturday night time with a smile on my face and 4 belts.”

Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Journal/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America. He may be adopted on twitter @JSantoliquito.

Ramirez vs. Taylor will likely be broadcast dwell on ESPN + within the U.S. and can stream dwell within the UK on FITE for £9.99 (dwell protection begins at 1:30 a.m. U.Okay. time).