John Ramirez will make the first defense of his North American Boxing Association (NABA) super flyweight crown against Mexican Luis Padilla on February 23 at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Los Angeles.

The 26-year-old American is an emerging talent who comes from knocking out Jan Salvatierra in May last year to become the NABA continental monarch. 

Ramirez debuted in 2020 and in three years has managed to make 10 fights, which is a good pace for a fighter looking to work his way up to a big opportunity in the medium or short term.

Now he must face “Callado” Padilla, a Mexican fighter with a lot of grit and only 22 years old. The Guadalajara native is coming off a win over veteran Carlos Buitrago in his most recent fight in November and will now make his U.S. debut after having spent most of his career in Mexico with an internship in Spain. 

Ramirez has 10 wins and 8 knockouts, while Padilla has 15 wins, 3 losses, 2 draws and 2 knockouts.