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| Credit: Bob Trieger Full Court Press |
Press Release: By November 1, 2026 By Bob Trieger Full Court Press - LOS ANGELES (October 29, 2026)
– World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 1 ranked, mandatory super flyweight challenger
(17-1, 9 KOs) remains on standby for his much anticipated world title fight after the WBA recently granted a special permit to its World Super Flyweight Champion,
(18-1, 12 KOs), to make a voluntary defense instead of his mandatory it had previously ordered for him to defend his title against Ramirez.
Jimenez will now fight WBA No. 2-rated
(22-3-2, 12 KOs), on November 29
th
in Tokyo. The winner of this bout must face Ramirez in a mandatory title defense within 120 days of the aforementioned Jimenez-Akui fight. In the event of a draw, Jimenez will be required to finally fulfill his mandatory obligation and fight “Scrappy” within the same timeframe.
The WBA had previously ordered on September 21, 2026, that Jimenez face Ramirez. The negotiating period started September 18 and was supposed to close on October 18, 2026. If the parties had failed to reach an agreement, or if either party declined to continue to negotiate, the WBA Championships Committee may have called for a purse bid in accordance with WBA rules.
The request to void Jimenez’ mandatory was submitted on Sept. 22 by Teiken Promotions.
“I still trust the process, which I’ve been saying all along, because nothing is promised in boxing,” Ramirez commented. “They (WBA) allowed him Jimenez) to defend his title against Akui in Japan, and I get the winner. It’s not what I wanted but that’s what happened. Let the pieces fall where they may. Greatness takes patience.”
The 30-year-old Ramirez, fighting out of South-Central Los Angeles, has fought four times since his loss to Jimenez, including two in 2026. “Scrappy” was installed by the WBA as its No. 1, mandatory challenger, positioning him in that slot back in January for the second time during his professional career.
Jimenez defeated Ramirez on April 24, 2024, by way of a 12-round unanimous decision in Brooklyn to capture the WBA Interim Super Flyweight title. When
relinquished his WBA Super Flyweight World title to move up one weight class, Jimenez was elevated from WBA Interim Champion to WBA Super Flyweight World Champion on June 13, 2026.
“Everything I’ve been going through has made me a better man and fighter,” Ramirez said. “Even if it’s been stressful and got me down sometimes, that is all part of chasing my dream (to be world champion). I don’t really care who wins that fight. I’m focused on winning the world title and I’ll be next. Me redeeming myself in the rematch (with Jimenez) would make the story sweeter, but I’ve been boxing 10 years and this is the second time I’ve been in this position. Not many fighters get one world title shot, never mind two, and that will be my time to finish.”
“Scrappy” is allowed to participate in a bout without a title at risk during the interim period, which would be risky considering anything but victory would eliminate him challenging the Nov. 29 winner for the crown.
“I may take a stay busy fight but this just happened,” Ramirez explained,” and my team is discussing our options. I’m open to fighting in Japan as long as I get my title shot. One of my goals has been to fight in Japan to grow my market. Japan is where a lot of the top fighters are from in my weight class and I’d take a big fight there.”
In addition to former WBC World Flyweight Champion Aku, other world-class super flyweights from Japan also include WBO Super Flyweight World Champion
(26-2, 16 KOs), former world amateur champion
(3-1, 2 KOs),
(27-5-1, 14 KOs), and
(14-2, 9 KOs).
The beat goes on for “Scrappy” Ramirez, arguably the most patient boxer in the world.
“Scrappy” is managed by 3 Point Management (3 PM), which has a growing stable of gifted boxers former including WBA & WBO Cruiserweight and WBO Super Middleweight World Champion
(48-2, 30 KOs), WBA No. 5-rated world super middleweight
(15-1-1, 13 KOs), former WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion
(21-3, 17 KOs), former WBA Inter-Continental Light Heavyweight Champion, Canadian
Kareem “Supreme” Hackett
(13-1, 7 KOs), Armenian featherweight
Azat “Crazy A” Hovhannisyan
(23-6, 17 KOs), and German junior welterweight
Simon “Saucy” Vollmer
(7-0, 3 KOs).
Material and Photo Courtesy of: Bob Trieger Full Court Press Used with permission
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.
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