WBC World Super Lightweight champion Juan Carlos Ramirez, 22-0 (16), of Avenal, CA, defends his title Saturday on ESPN against WBC International Silver Super Lightweight champion Danny O’Connor, 30-3 (11), of Framingham, MASS, at the Save Mart Arena, in Fresno, CA, on a Top Rank promotion.

Ramirez won the vacant title March 17th defeating Amir Iman and will be making his first defense against No. 15 ranked O’Connor who has a four fight winning streak. This will be a nine bout card.

“To fight my first title defense in front of my biggest fans, my closest friend and my family, it’s a blessing. We’re call this event “Protecting Home” because we’re protecting those than belong here in this country, who fight every day and contribute to this community. We’re also protecting what belongs to us, which is a world title,” said Ramirez.

“I feel grateful to be in this position. I’ve worked very hard inside the ring and outside the ring to overcome so much adversity to be here today. I never quit. I never gave up on myself. I never lost hope,” said O’Connor.

In the co-feature NABF Welterweight champion Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas, 19-0 (16), of Lithuania, now out of Oxnard, CA, defends his title against Juan Carlos “Merengue” Abreu, 21-3-1 (19), of Dominican Republic, over 10 rounds.

Heavyweight Andy Ruiz, Jr., 30-1 (20), of Imperial, CA, takes on Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson, 32-19-1 (16), of Lawrenceville, GA, over 10 rounds. Also, WBC Continental Americas Super Featherweight champion Andy Vences, 20-0-1 (12), of San Jose, CA, takes on southpaw Frankie DeAlba, 22-3-2 (9), of Reading, PA, over 10 rounds. There will be five other fights including Joseph Adorno, 7-0 (7), of Allentown, PA, taking on Guadalupe “Lupillo” De Leon, 9-15-1 (5), of Mission, TEX, in a 6.