GRADES: JOSE RAMIREZ, RANCES BARTHELEMY, VERGIL ORTIZ & MORE

By: Jay Calderon

Well, this weekend, we saw the return of former Jr. Welterweight titlist Jose Ramirez and Vergil Ortiz. And in differing ways, we saw both come back to action in successful fashion.

In the main event in Fresno, California, Ramirez survived a few rough moments to nearly stop Rances Barthelemy in the final few months. In the co-featured bout of the evening, the aforementioned Ortiz easily dispatched of former title challenger Thomas Dulorme inside of a single frame.

So, no more rambling. Let's hand out these grades:

JOSE RAMIREZ
RESULT: DEF. RANCES BARTHELEMY, 12UD (JR. WELTERWEIGHT)
GRADE: B-
All things considered, it wasn't the worst performance for Jose Ramirez...it just wasn't near his best, either.

When you consider the year out of the ring and the overall inactivity, Ramirez performed pretty well. Especially against a rangy, tall, switch-hitter like Rances Barthelemy that gives most opponents a tough time.

However, the fact that Ramirez struggled early on and was arguably dropped in that second round isn't a good look. The fact that Barthelemy is 38 years of age and has been slipping as of late makes it all the more unimpressive looking in those moments.

Ultimately, you have to credit Ramirez for bouncing back and taking those later rounds, even hurting Rances in the latter frames. Still, one has to wonder just how well this version of Ramirez will do in the heavily stacked 140 pound division.

RANCES BARTHEMELY
RESULT: LOSS TO JOSE RAMIREZ, 12UD (JR. WELTERWEIGHT)
GRADE: C-
Considering his age and his recent run of form, Rances Barthelemy didn't perform all that bad when in against Jose Ramirez. Entering the contest, Barthelemy was a massive underdog and many expected the faded Cuban to be a relatively easy touch for the returning California native.

Early in the encounter, Barthelemy really did look as though he was going to pull off the upset. In the second round, Ramirez was rocked pretty severely and seemingly dropped. While it was deemed a push, it was certainly a strong moment for Barthelemy.

Naturally, as is expected with a 38-year-old, Barthelemy faded down the stretch and allowed Ramirez to get right back in the driver's seat. In those middle frames is where Ramirez really took control and and Barthelemy just never found his way back into the fight.

To his credit, Rances fought bravely in those final rounds, even when hurt and seemingly ready to go. Still, it might be time to assume Barthelemy's viability near the top level of the sport is officially through.

VERGIL ORTIZ
RESULT: DEF. THOMAS DULORME, 1KO (JR. MIDDLEWEIGHT)
GRADE: A
Prior to his demolition job of Thomas Dulorme, Vergil Ortiz had fought less than one full round of action since September of 2022. For an up-and-coming fighter (or any fighter, really), that just isn't enough activity.

In that sense, Ortiz didn't help himself out much by landing a massive left hook to the body of Dulorme in the first round and ending matters then and there. However, it's hard to criticize the kid for getting the job done early. Fighters aren't paid by the round, after all.

Still, for his development and to shake off any rust, you would hope the Texas native got in a few more frames. Especially with a massive August encounter against Tim Tszyu lined up, he will want to be in solid form.

While his early stoppages look good on paper, you want Ortiz testing his gas tank and fine tuning his skills. Vergil will likely need to be spot on in both categories to defeat the talented Aussie.

Still, for what the contest was, Ortiz did about as well as could be expected against a washed Dulorme.

OSCAR DUARTE
RESULT: DEF. JOSEPH DIAZ, 9KO (JR. WELTERWEIGHT)
GRADE: B+
It must be said that Oscar Duarte walks in a bit too much straight up and down, a little too square. And if you're able to find some breathing room, when Duarte is pressuring and throwing his heavy shots, he can be tagged.

However, once Duarte seemed to realize Joseph Diaz wasn't able to tag him, none of that really mattered. Duarte used decent head movement from time to time, kept busy as he backed the smaller man up and continued to pound away with vicious hooks.

Diaz was stunned a few times, but he was mostly just getting beaten up. Even when he sat and traded, looking to earn Duarte's respect, the Mexican would land the bigger blows and steer control of the fight right back in his direction.

Duarte might not make a pound-for-pound list any time soon, but he just picked up a stoppage win over a former world titlist. Oscar certainly has a few more cracks at the upper level of the sport coming his way.

JOSEPH DIAZ
RESULT: LOSS TO OSCAR DUARTE, 9KO (JR. WELTERWEIGHT)
GRADE: D
Joseph Diaz is really running into problems at this point in his career.

That should be obvious to see with the former world titlist going 4-5-1 in his last ten encounters including the loss to Oscar Duarte over the weekend. However, it's getting worse as he keeps getting heavier and having to campaign at higher weight classes.

Adding to his misery, Diaz was stopped for the first time against Duarte, when he was unable to muster a defense or a response in the ninth round up against the ropes and the bout was waved off. Before, Diaz might lose, but he would keep fighting until the end. Now, it seems the fight is being beaten out of him.

Shortly after the loss, Diaz expressed an interest in dropping back down to 130 or 135 pounds, where, if given time and a few bounce back fights, Joseph might have better luck. However, whether he can safely make the weight remains to be seen.

And if he's slipping as bad as it appears based on recent performances, it might not matter at what weight the former Olympian chooses to campaign.

LINKS:

- SCHEDULE & ODDS

- RESULTS

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