LOS ANGELES – Perhaps John “Scrappy” Ramirez was moved along too quickly and more seasoning was needed for the junior bantamweight contender.

In April, Ramirez, who picked up boxing just eight years ago at 20, fought for the WBA interim junior bantamweight title and got outboxed by David Jimenez for a unanimous decision defeat. Ramirez more than held his own, however, comfortably winning a handful of rounds.

But Scrappy’s setback is now cause and motivation for a serious comeback, and the campaign begins Saturday when Ramirez, 13-1 (9 KOs), faces the 10-0 (8 KOs) Ephraim Bui at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, on the undercard of the welterweight clash between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel on DAZN.

“I lost my last fight; lack of experience,” Ramirez told BoxingScene. “I live and I learn and I keep moving. There is no discouragement. I feel good. I'm keeping the same energy and I'm still focused on the goal. The goal remains the same and that is to become a world champion. I need to get it done first on December 14 to move close to a world title shot.

“I've been working on my craft and style. I'm in the gym at the Brickhouse Boxing Club seven days a week. I have a great team. I've only been doing this for eight years. Everything has come so quickly. I was getting fast results, but Rome was not built in one year. It's a process to get to the top. I was expecting shit to happen quickly because everything had happened quickly. A lot of people had high expectations of me. Is that a good thing? Absolutely. They see the talent I bring to the table. I'm chasing greatness.”

The Julian Chua-trained Ramirez came into the Sandoval fight having knocked out Ronal Batista, who gave Julio Cesar Martinez a tough fight his prior time out.

The 115-pound division features future Hall of Fame fighters and current pound-for-pound greats like Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, Juan Francisco Estrada, Fernando Martinez, Kazuto Ioka, Kosei Tanaka, and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, among others.

Ramirez believes he can build himself back up to contend against the crème de la crème of the weight class following a big win against Bui. 

“I can't satisfy everyone,” said Ramirez. “The bright lights and all that didn't bother me against Sandoval. That's normal to me. I have to stick to the game plan and just listen. You can't put emotions in the fight game. You have to separate them. But there are no excuses on my end. The guy came and beat me. It is what it is. I live to fix my mistakes. I'm going to come back. I want the rematch.

“As long as I keep winning and get back on track, I think [Rodriguez is] a possible fight. He's a great fighter and it would be an entertaining fight. I'm here to see how great I am. I’m chasing that thrill. To beat the best you have to face the best. I think it will happen in the future, and it will be a sellout.

“I'm not discouraged. If anything, I got better [with the loss to Sandoval]. I have faith, and it's God's timing. I know what's happening.

“I don't know what the future may hold. My focus is now, and taking advantage of the moment. But too many people think about the future and forget about the present and don't get shit done.”

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter whose work has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports, USA Today, The Guardian, Newsweek, Men’s Health, NFL.com, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Ring Magazine and more. He has been writing for BoxingScene since 2018. Manouk is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on , , and , through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or via .