Robeisy Ramirez defends world title for first time against Shimizu in Japan on July 25

Newly minted WBO featherweight world champion Robeisy ‘El Tren’ Ramirez will defend his crown on July 25th against Satoshi Shimizu at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The bout will serve as the co-feature to the unified WBC and WBO super bantamweight title fight between Stephen Fulton and Naoya Inoue.

Amateur phenom Ramirez [12-1, 7 KO's], who is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been on a tear through the professional ranks since a stunning debut defeat against Adan Gonzalez [a defeat he would later avenge. He has looked borderline unstoppable on his current winning streak, comfortably dispatching the likes of Irishman Eric Donovan and the previously unbeaten Abraham Nova. Last time out, Ramirez produced a boxing clinic to widely outpoint former super bantamweight world champion Isaac Dogboe in Oklahoma at the beginning of April. Now, the Cuban maestro faces a quick turnaround, as he travels to Japan to attempt to keep hold of his crown against Shimizu.

Ramirez said: "Next stop, Japan! I am happy to announce my quick return to the ring in what will be the first defense of my WBO world championship. Fighting is what I do best, titles are meant to be defended, and there’s no stopping 'El Tren!'"

His opponent, Shimizu [11-1, 10 KO’s], is also an Olympic medalist, having picked up a bronze medal at the 2012 Games in London. He transitioned to the paid ranks in 2016, and so far has fought all of his contests in his home nation of Japan. The big punching, 37 year old southpaw rebounded well from his only career defeat, a stoppage loss to Joe Noynay in 2019, and won the WBO Asia Pacific featherweight title against Musashi Mori in May of 2021.

Inoue vs Fulton and Ramirez vs Shimizu will stream live and exclusively on ESPN +.