Former featherweight titleholder Robeisy Ramirez is determined to reclaim his belt by year's end, starting with a scheduled 10-round fight against contender Brandon Leon Benitez at the James L. Knight Center in Miami on June 29.
Ramirez (13-2, 8 KOs), a Cuban Olympic gold medalist now based in Las Vegas, lost his featherweight title last December to Rafael Espinoza by majority decision.
“Getting my world title back is my mission right now,” Ramirez said. “Throughout my life and boxing career, I have always used setbacks as motivation. This time is no different.”
Ramirez, a 30-year-old southpaw, will have a seasoned opponent blocking his way in the 26-year-old Benitez (21-2, 9 KOs). Benitez, from Queretaro, Mexico, leveled up in October 2022 with a split decision win over Can Xu, and most recently stopped Rigoberto Hermosillo last December.
Ramirez insists he’ll be ready.
“I have approached this training camp with a renewed sense of responsibility, seriousness and great mental focus,” Ramirez said. “I’ve incorporated a wide range of agility, speed and strength training routines that have challenged me more than ever before.”
Ramirez-Benitez will co-feature alongside the junior welterweight title clash between Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) and Steve Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs). The event, which also includes a six-round rematch between middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (10-1, 5 KOs) and Sona Akale (9-1, 4 KOs), will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Sky Sports will air the event in the U.K. and Ireland.