He's done so many big fights in Japan he should open up a sushi place in Tokyo.
He's done so many bouts in Texas, particuarly close to Mexico, that he could get a side job with the Border Patrol.
He's also refereed to favorable notices in Ecuador, Italy, Mexico, Thailand, France and Germany.
He's a ringwise veteran with a solid international refereeing resume now in its 11th year.
Rafael Ramos has paid his third man dues, so to speak, now he goes into the big world spotlight on March 13 as word has seeped out to me that it will be Double R and not his Lone Star State colleague Laurence Cole handling the March 13 Joshua Clottey-Manny Pacquiao WBO 147 POUND title bout in Cowboys Stadium (Arlington).
William Kuntz, who oversees all 29 departments of the Texas Licensing and Regulations Board (including boxers, barbers and more), has informed Ramos that he's drawn the big bout assignment.
I picked through Ramos record and nothing jumps out, no hint of controversy or even alleged mistakes. I'd say he is as solid a ref as there is and he's been assigned to world title bouts previously by the IBF and the WBA.
On Jan. 11, Ramos was in Tokyo where he handled the Poonsawat Kratingdaengym-Satoshi Honson WBA super bantamweight title match.
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Rafael Ramos was spot in timing and spirit in halting Juan Diaz's game Houston effort against Juan Ma (AP Photo)
Early in his career, Ramos did a lot of bouts in New Jersey, getting his start in Atlantic City.
When Evander Holyfield launched a comeback in Dallas in 2006 against pushover Jeremy Bates, Ramos was the referee.
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Juan Diaz on the mat as Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez celebrates, ref Rafael Ramos counts (Golden Boy/Hogan Photos)
He also handled Juan Manuel Marquez's TKO 9 in Houston Feb. 28, 2009, against hometown star Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz.
It's no bull, baby or otherwise, that Ramos is a ref fit for the job.
Texas is lucky to have both the competent Cole and the steady Ramos in its officiating ranks.
Author: Michael Marley
Source: examiner.com
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