The April 27 Fresno, Calif., doubleheader marking the returns of former super-welterweight champion Jose Ramirez and top-rated contender Vergil Ortiz has reportedly filled in with opponents.
Central California’s Ramirez (28-1, 18 KOs) will headline the bout in his debut for Golden Boy Promotions versus Cuba’s Rances Barthelemy and Ortiz (20-0) will meet Thomas Dulorme following a lengthy layoff.
ESPN.com first reported the opponents after BoxingScene reported March 12 that Ramirez and Ortiz were bound for the Fresno card.
DAZN will stream the card.
At 38, the former super-featherweight and lightweight world champion Barthelemy (30-2-1, 15 KOs) was stopped in the sixth round by Gary Antuanne Russell in 2022 and he fought Robert Easter to a split draw for the WBA lightweight belt in 2019.
Puerto Rico’s Dulorme (26-6-1, 17 KOs) hasn’t fought since July 2022, when he snapped a three-fight losing streak that included defeats at the hands of Jaron “Boots” Ennis (first-round KO) and Eimantas Stanionis (unanimous decision).
Ortiz-Dulorme is scheduled for 10 rounds, according to an official who spoke to BoxingScene on the condition of anonymity because they were unauthorized to publicly discuss details of the event that has yet to be formally announced.
Positioned No. 3 in the WBA junior-middleweight rankings, Ortiz could parlay the victory toward a title shot at champion Israil Madrimov, who also fights on DAZN.
Ramirez selected Barthelemy over former 140-pound champion Sergey Lipinets, and a homecoming triumph will affirm as a leading player in one of the sport’s deepest divisions.
ADD COMMENT VIEW COMMENTS (36)