At the Save Mart Arena in Fresno, CA, Sunday night over ESPN Top Rank Boxing promoted a WBC world championship fight.

WBC World Super Lightweight champion and 2012 Olympian Jose Carlos Ramirez, 24-0 (16), of Avenal, CA, won a hard fought majority decision over WBC No. 14 ranked southpaw Jose “Chon” Zepeda, 30-2 (25), of La Puente, CA, over 12 rounds.

In the opening round Zepada boxed well while Ramirez is coming forward but throwing little amount of punches. This is only the second southpaw Ramirez has faced as a pro. In the second round Zepeda landed a right hook to the chin. Ramirez landed his first solid punch a lead right to the chin. Zepeda continued to box well. Zepeda landed a leaf left to the chin. Ramirez landed a right to the body.

In the third round Ramirez landed a left hook but missed two more as Zepeda backed out of trouble. Zepeda landed a short left to the chin. Ramirez landed the final punch of the round a left hook to the body. In the fourth round Ramirez landed first with a lead right to the chin. Zepeda got inside landing a left on the chin. Zepeda kept his right to his side for the most part being quicker of hand using a good jab keeping the harder punching Ramirez from landing. Ramirez due to a clash of heads got a cut over his right eye.

In the fifth round Ramirez landed a solid left hook to the chin. The 14,000 fans showed their support of Ramirez. Zeped landed a lead left to the body of Ramirez. He has kept his distance and made Ramirez hesitant to throw many punches. In the sixth round Zepeda landed a left to the chin while Ramirez came back with a right to the chin. Ramirez landed a right to the chin. Zepeda continued to avoid being hit by Ramirez for the most part.

In the seventh round Zepeda got into a crouch daring Ramirez to hit him. Ramirez finally got some punches in near the end of the round. In the eighth round Zepeda continued to out box Ramirez but got hit with a left hook and right on the chin. Zepeda had blood under his left eye. Ramirez is landing more and hurt Zepeda with a straight right on the chin. Ramirez landed a right cross on the chin just prior to the bell.

In the ninth round Ramirez scored with a lead right on the chin. Ramirez landed two rights to the body. Ramirez landed a right uppercut to the body. He ended the round with a right to the chin. In the tenth round Zepeda continues to step around staying away from the power of Ramirez who has been coming on after a slow start. Ramirez landed a right to the body. Ramirez landed a 3-punch combination to the chin just prior to the bell.

In the eleventh round it looked like Ramirez has evend the score. Zepeda landed a left uppercut to the chin then both fighters banged heads. Zepeda got the better of a good exchange in the middle of the ring and the round. Ramirez landed a right to the chin with Zepeda countering with a left and grabbing Ramirez at the bell.

In the twelfth and final round Ramirez landed a good left hook at the mid point of the round. Zepeda landed a left on the chin. Ramirez landed a looping right on the chin. Zepeda came back with a left onthe chin. Ramirez landed a right driving Zepeda back a step. Zepeda fought a very smart fight especially in the first half but didn’t use his jab as much in the second half allowing Ramirez back taking the second half of the fight.

Scores were Rey Danseco 114-114, Chris Tellez 116-112 and Glenn Trowbridge 115-113 same as this writer. Referee Marcos Gonzalez did a fine job. Close enough to be a draw Ramirez was out boxed but found a way to get the lead back.

“It’s kind of sad I worked hard but fell short. This is okay I fought in his house. Maybe it was conditioning and his hometown fans encouraging him,” said Zepeda. “He fought a smart and tough fight that was close. I think I came ahead in the championship rounds. I want to thank God and my family. I want to also thank my fans coming out supporting Cancer. I think it’s time to unify or maybe move up in weight,” said Ramirez.

Former WBO Lightweight champion Mexican Raymundo Beltran, 36-8-1 (22), of Phoenix, AZ, stopped Hiroki Okada, 19-1 (13), of Tokyo, JAP, at 2:09 of the 9th round for the WBO Inter Continental super lightweight title in an all action fight.

In the opening round Beltran was the aggressor using his jab. Okada threw some right hands but few jabs. Beltran moving up in weight got in the last solid punch a left hook to the chin. In the second round Beltran continued slipping punches well. Both landed left hooks to the chin. Beltran landed a solid left hook on the chin dropping Okada for the 8 count of referee Jack Dreese. Okada came back missing a left but following with a right to the chin of Beltran dropping him for the 8 count. Okada jumped on Beltran throwing numerous punches having Beltran against the ropes. Beltran slipped most but took quite a few throwing left hooks to get out of trouble.

In the third round Beltran took the lead again. He rocked Okada with numerous left hooks to the body and head. Okada is not a good inside worker like Beltran. Okada received a cut over the left eye near the end of the round.

In the fourth round Okada had the reach and is firing long shots to the chin. Beltran came back rocking Okada with an overhand right to the chin. Beltran came back rocking Okada with an overhand right to the chin. Okada landed four left hooks to the head. Beltran came back driving Okada into a corner. Beltran landed a hard right follow by a left hook to the chin of Okada. Beltran got a cut over the left eye.

In the fifth round Okada landed a left uppercut on the chin. Beltran drove Okada back with a flurry of punches. Okada was warned for pushing Beltran back without any punches thrown. Both fighters did well in the round. In the sixth round Okada became the aggressor. Both fighters exchanged left hooks to the chin. Beltran lashed out landing a left hook to the chin. Okada warned for holding. Okada landed a combination to the chin.

In the seventh round Beltran lands a left hook backing up Okada who is on the move. Okada is using an effective jab while Beltran uses a good left hook. Beltran received a cut over the right eye making Beltran very aggressive having cuts over both eyes.

In the eighth round Beltran backed Okada against the ropes with a flurry. Okada came back with a combination. Okada landed a hard right to the chin with Beltran countering with a left hook to the chin. The round could have gone either way.

In the ninth round Okada landed a flurry of punches to the head. Beltran landed a combination with the right on the chin dropping Okada for the 8 couint. Beltran jumped on Okada driving him across the ring and down again. Referee Resse wisely stopped it as Okada was on his knees.

“The plan was to stay close to him due to his jab. I didn’t see that punch coming that knocked me down. Every time I landed a hook he dropped his right hand so I could land mine. I want to be a world champ at 140 or go back to 135. I didn’t win tonight, we our team won,” said Beltran. This writer had Beltran ahead by a point at the stoppage.