John Ramirez and David Jimenez will clash this Saturday, April 20 for the World Boxing Association (WBA) interim super flyweight title at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 

The Championships Committee granted special permission to champion Kazuto Ioka to hold a unification fight against IBF champion Fernando Martinez due to the importance of this bout. Rule C.46 of the Championships states that the committee may modify the rules and defense times in different cases, including “participating in a bout of recognized importance to the boxing world,” as is the case of this unification fight. 

Ramirez, on the other hand, is the mandatory challenger of the category and has the right to fight for the title, so he will fight for the interim title against Jimenez, a ranked opponent approved by the committee. 

On the other hand, it was decided that the winner between Ioka and Martinez must face Ramirez in a period not to exceed 120 days after the unification bout takes place. 

“Scrappy” Ramirez is an undefeated fighter who has shown quality in each of his fights and knocked out Ronal Batista in his most recent bout on October 21. The Los Angeles native feels ready for such a challenge and wants to keep the interim belt. 

Jimenez is a strong and experienced fighter who comes in with three wins in a row after his loss to Artem Dalakian for the world title in January 2023. The Central American has adapted well to the new division and returns to the United States where he left a pleasant impression in 2022 when he defeated Ricardo Sandoval in a great fight. 

Ramirez is undefeated in 13 fights, with 9 knockouts, while Jimenez has 15 wins, 1 loss and 11 knockouts.