Robeisy Ramirez is set to explore the free agent market.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist and former WBO 126lbs titleholder is now out of contract with Top Rank, it was confirmed Friday. Ramirez signed with Top Rank in 2019, one year after he defected from Cuba and fought exclusively under its banner for all 17 pro fights.
However, the 32-year-old southpaw – who now lives and trains in Las Vegas – has not fought since a December 2024 stoppage defeat to Rafael Espinoza. More than a year later, he is now also without a promoter.
“My promotional contract has expired,” Ramirez confirmed Friday. “I believe this change will be good for my career and the opportunities ahead.
“I appreciate the last six years and wish Top Rank success as they sort out their next chapter.”
Interestingly, the development comes as Top Rank continues to face uncertainty regarding its own position in the current marketplace.
Hard choices have been made in the seven months since the end of its long-term output deal with U.S. cable giant ESPN. Their last show together aired on July 26, with the company partnering with other promoters to get many of its fighters in the ring.
Some boxers – along with staff members – were released in recent weeks. Ramirez’s situation is not uncommon, as promoters certainly hold the right to not re-sign a boxer for a variety of reasons.
The relationship between Top Rank and Ramirez, 14-3 (9 KOs), always seemed solid. It’s a testament to both sides considering the start of their run together. Ramirez was on the wrong end of a massive upset defeat in his August 2019 pro debut, when he was dropped in the opening round of an eventual six-round split decision defeat to Adan Gonzales.
Ramirez went on a tear after that, rattling off 13 consecutive victories. The run included his avenging his lone career defeat at the time with a six-round shutout of Gonzales in their July 2020 rematch.
Eight fights later, Ramirez claimed his first major title in an April 2023 points victory over Isaac Dogboe for the vacant WBO featherweight strap. The strong showing was reflective of the high praise that came with his decorated amateur career, including gold medal hauls in 2012 London and 2016 Rio.
The latter Olympic conquest came in a narrow victory over Shakur Stevenson, who also signed with Top Rank out of the amateurs and has since won major titles in four weight divisions.
There was brief overlap at featherweight between Ramirez and Stevenson, the latter who held the WBO 126lbs belt for less than a year before he moved up to 130lbs.
Still, Ramirez’s own run to the title came with credible wins over Abraham Nova, Eric Donovan and then-unbeaten Orlando Gonzalez, all in succession.
His reign did not make it out of 2023, however, as Ramirez ran into his pro kryptonite in the form of 6ft featherweight Rafael Espinoza, 28-0 (24 KOs).
Their December 2023 slugfest – rated high among the year’s best fights – saw both fighters hit the deck in Pembroke Pines, Florida – not too far from the Miami region where he first arrived upon his defection from Cuba. Ramirez’s suffered knockdown in the 12th and final round provided the difference on the scorecards between a split decision draw and the eventual majority decision in favor of Espinoza to claim the title.
Efforts to avenge the defeat opened with promise in their December 2024 rematch in Phoenix, Arizona. In fact, Ramirez was ahead on two scorecards through five rounds before complaining of compromised vision early in Round 6. Espinoza appeared to have landed a right hand, though Ramirez insisted he was caught with an inadvertent elbow.
Whatever the case, his actions caused referee Chris Flores to halt the contest, thus ending his chance at redemption.
Sadly, it remains his final in-ring image until he’s able to resume his career under new representation.
