It’s a bit complicated, and we were not supposed to be here. John Ramirez was supposed to challenge Kazuto Ioka next, but the WBA had cold feet. While the Japanese champion is en route to unifying titles against Fernando Martinez, Ramirez is now rearing to prove his credentials again on the Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia undercard. But will it be easy sailing? It doesn’t seem so.

‘Scrappy’ will face a formidable opponent in David Jimenez. Both will clash this April 20 for the vacant WBA interim super flyweight title, and the winner will move one step closer to a world title shot. But who is leading the narrative and edging out the other when two resumes are compared?

John Ramirez vs. David Jimenez: A tale in numbers

At 27 and 114.6 lbs (52.0 kg), Ramirez is the younger of the two and also boasts a splendid, unblemished record of 13-0 with 9 KOs. With a 69% KO ratio and a height of 5’4″, he is a dangerous fellow to exchange punches with. He is also the current #1 ranked WBA super flyweight and is coming off a devastating knockout of Ronal Batista, dropping him twice and putting an end to the bout in the fourth round.

Notably, the American boxer’s rugged and tough attitude stems from his high school days when he was a standout football player, which he continued to play at Los Angeles Valley College. Meanwhile, Jimenez is older at 32 and lighter at 112.3 lbs (50.9 kg) but stands a bit taller at 5′ 4.5″ and has a reach of 163 cm. Additionally, his record of 15-1 with 11 KOs and a KO ratio of 73% shows how rarely he takes a defensive approach.

The Costa Rican fighter’s amateur days still amaze fans, as he won a championship bronze in 2013. That’s not all. He racked up 315 wins from 350 bouts, which played an instrumental role in his rapid surge as he only turned pro in 2019. His phenomenal amateur days tailored him to face any tough situation that pro boxing could throw his way. But is it enough to match stylistically with a younger and more spirited fighter?

Explosive night — heavy hitters, fan-friendly styles

Ramirez has a peculiar trait. He tends to pick different training camps whenever he is free. He was most recently seen sparring with Regis Prograis when he trained for Devin Haney last December. Not only does he stay in top condition by doing this but he also adds more to his knowledge base.

Moreover, the Los Angeles native’s boxing acumen and skills are held in high regard by Golden Boy president Eric Gomez. Gomez believes Ramirez’s boxing ability matches some of the best fighters in the world. His high in-ring IQ, good footwork, and ability to keep distance, separate him from the rest. While he has a tight defense, he is also aggressive.

Read More: Boxing News: Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia Undercard Announced

Meanwhile, Jimenez packs power behind those punches and can fight both on the front and the back foot. ‘Medallita’ tends to start fights with high pressure and more aggressiveness. His fan-friendly, explosive style has garnered eyeballs and picked up KO wins. However, one wonders whether his experience, power, and aggression can topple Ramirez.

Prediction: Who closes on their championship dream?

When Ramirez had a hard-fought battle against and narrowly escaped with a split decision win against Fernando Diaz, he was determined to fall back to his destructive days. He predicted a KO and got one when he defeated Batista. Besides his skills and natural abilities, as he has said himself, he carries character, a work ethic, and a firm belief.

Ramirez’s sturdy mentality and his work ethic edge the contest in his favor. While Jimenez has more experience and has already amassed two wins in 2024, Ramirez might prove too much for him to handle. Both have a similar style, but Ramirez’s calculated approach might push the fight to the distance. Ramirez on April 20 may earn another win, possibly via a unanimous decision, and set himself on course to face Ioka next.

What do you make of this exciting fight between John Ramirez and David Jimenez? Who do you think will win the encounter and the junior bantamweight strap? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Charles Conwell vs. Nathaniel Gallimore Stats Comparison and Prediction: Record, Age, Height, Reach, Weight, and Knockout Ratio