Ramos faces rugged Rigondeaux in first title defense

Boxers usually catch a breather in their first title defense. Rico Ramos doesn't have that luxury.

The WBA super bantamweight champion will face a stiffer test tonight than when he won the title from Akifumi Shimoda in July, meeting unbeaten Guillermo Rigondeaux at the Palms' Pearl Concert Theater.

"Can't I enjoy my belt first?" Ramos said Thursday before the weigh-in in which both fighters made the 122-pound limit. "Soon after I won the title, they told me I had to fight Rigondeaux."

The scheduled 12-round fight is not an ideal matchup for Ramos (20-0, 11 knockouts). The left-handed Rigondeaux, 31, a two-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, is 8-0 with six knockouts.

"I hate southpaws," said Ramos, 24. "They're so awkward. But we prepared for Rigondeaux, and the plan is to start fast, throw punches and go after him."

Rigondeaux hasn't fought since March, but has used his down time wisely. He changed trainers and spent quality time in the gym with Ismael Salas.

"The layoff has been good for me," Rigondeaux said. "I'm well rested and well prepared. I'm a much better fighter than the last time I fought in Las Vegas (in 2009). My footwork, my head movement and my work to the body has improved."

Rigondeaux, the WBA interim title-holder at 122, said he plans to go right after Ramos. "I'm going to try and knock his head off," he said. "I don't care if it's in the first round."

More is at stake than a title belt. The fight is nationally televised on Showtime, and a good performance by either fighter could open the door to a big-money fight this year against Nonito Donaire.

"After I beat Ramos, I want Donaire," said Rigondeaux, who is promoted by Top Rank, which also promotes Donaire.

Said Ramos: "I don't want to look beyond Rigondeaux, but I would love an opportunity to face Donaire. But I want to hang on to this belt and win the WBC belt, too."

Japan's Toshiaki Nishioka is the WBC super bantamweight champ. Donaire has his eye on that title in his move up from bantamweight.

Ramos has additional motivation in not wanting to lose what took years to gain.

"I spent 16 years working to become a world champion," he said. "I never gave up, and it felt good to see all that dedication pay off. But I still think I have to prove myself to a lot of people."

Also on the card are two eight-round fights: lightweights Guy Robb vs. Joel Diaz Jr. and junior bantamweights Matthew Villanueva vs. Michael Ruiz Jr.

The first bell is scheduled for 6 p.m., with the televised portion at 8.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.