Great opportunity for Casa Grande native Abel Ramos

On By Littum

The biggest fight of Abel Ramos’ career approaches as the 33-year-old from Casa Grande prepares to face Mario “El Azteca” Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on Friday night as part of the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.

Ramos (28-6-2, 22 knockouts) is an underdog despite his record and the quality of opponents he faced. Barrios won the WBC welterweight interim belt last September 30, over Yordenis Ugas, who has a win over Ramos.

Barrios defended the belt in May and now goes after the full title on Friday night. He is 29-2 and has only lost to two great boxers, Keith Thurman and Gervonta Davis. He has won three straight fights since those defeats and has been the WBA super lightweight champion.

Both fighters have been part of some big boxing cards, but nothing like the unique spectacle of Tyson vs. Paul, which pits the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion and legend against a former teenager turned YouTube superstar and pro boxer from Ohio.

Paul and his promotional company have found a way to connect with new audiences when they book fights against boxers, mixed martial artists and athletes past their prime, and mostly defeat them.

But Ramos vs. Barrios is a legitimate fight between two Mexican American veterans with plenty of experience, and Ramos has never been knocked out.

“It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a kid, to be a world champion,” Ramos said after his open practice on Tuesday. “I’m taking this fight seriously. I know Barrios is a great champion, but we’re here to make this little kid’s dream come true.”

Ramos said he could never have imagined being on the same card as Tyson, whose fights he watched as a youngster. He comes from a boxing family – his nephew Jesús Alejandro Ramos is a contender in the super welterweight division and he is trained by his older brother.

“(Winning) would change my life forever,” Abel said, then greeted his family and friends from Casa Grande in Spanish and thanked the Mexican fight fans for coming to practice.

“Happy to be back here in Texas,” Barrios said. “I know Abel is coming in hungry; he’s ready, but I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure this belt stays in San Antonio.

“You’ve got two Mexican fighters in there fighting for the WBC. You know it’s going to be a nail-biter… This fight could easily take fight of the night.”