Richard Commey eyes WBC title shot, fights Jose Ramirez March 25

Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight champion, Richard Commey, is scheduled to face America’s Jose Ramirez in a World Boxing Council (WBC) International super lightweight title in Fresno, California, on March 25.

Commey begins the new year with a tough battle against Ramirez, hoping to get a shot at the WBC’s 140 pounds belt which is held by American Regis Prograis.

The hard-hitting Ghanaian fighter got the chance to face Ramirez (27-1, 17 KOs) following the American’s failed bout with Prograis due to a purse split.

Done deal

“The fight is done and Commey is ready for the task ahead,” said Michael Amoo-Bediako, manager of Commey, during an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic.

“We have signed all the paperwork so the fight can be announced but I can assure you that everything is on course,” he revealed.

Commey, 35, lost his 135-pound title to Teofimo Lopez via second-round TKO in December 2019. Commey (30-4-1, 27 KOs) rebounded with a sixth-round KO of Jackson Marinez last year before he was dominated by Vasyl Lomachenko in December 2021.

Following that defeat, Commey moved up to 140 pounds for an August bout against Jose Pedraza which ended in a draw.

Meanwhile, Ramirez, 30, was in line for a rematch against Jose Zepeda for the then vacant WBC title but declined the opportunity due to his wedding in October.

The fight against Commey will be Ramirez’s first since March, when the Olympian outpointed Jose Pedraza in Fresno. The win followed a tight decision loss to Josh Taylor in May 2021 for the undisputed junior welterweight championship.

Judges ruled in favour of Taylor after Ramirez suffered two knockdowns during the fight.