Rising super featherweight prospect Guy Robb plans to cap his successful 2011 campaign with a knockout as he takes on durable Hugo Ramos this Friday night at the Woodland Community & Senior Center in Woodland, California. The six-round encounter is the televised co-feature of Telefutura’s Solo Boxeo broadcast.
Despite Ramos’ diminutive record, the Palm Springs, California-based fighter has a reputation of being a tough out for up-and-coming prospects. Ramos has gone the distance with six different undefeated opponents, twice against still unbeaten Jonathan Arrellano. Ramos’ only stoppage defeat came against Khabir Suleymanov back in 2009, in a fight he was leading on two cards.
Robb’s manager Repo Ric knows Ramos well, and believes he will provide a good test for his fighter. “Hugo Ramos can fight,” says Repo. “Don’t think he can’t fight, because he can fight. He is 3-10-2, but yes he can fight. It’s not going to be a cakewalk. It is going to be some work.”
Despite Ramos’ stats, Robb (6-0, 2 KOs) believes he can close the show in convincing fashion. “I’m looking to take this guy out,” says the confident Robb. “I don’t expect it to go to the decision. His record is not that great, but he’s fought a lot of tough people and supposed to be a road warrior, but that don’t make no difference to me. I always have the same objective, and that is just to tear him up.”
Despite getting word of the fight on relatively short notice, Robb was more than ready to step into the ring when his phone rang. “I’m always training like a madman,” says Robb, who sparred with fellow prospects Stan Martyniouk, Roman Morales and Bruno Escalante among others. “I just stay in the gym. I take the whole boxing thing serious. I am always trying to get stronger and better and learn more, whether I have a fight or don’t have a fight. I’m always in the gym working.”
Friday’s bout takes place in Woodland, which is just a short drive from Robb’s Sacramento home. “It is always great to fight in front of all my people,” says Robb, who fought three times in nearby Fairfield this year. “They have been having a lot of shows around here and I think everybody has been loving it – especially me. There is going to be a big crowd. I’ve been selling tickets, and people are telling me they are going to buy their tickets at the door. So we are going to have a good turnout.”
The fight with Ramos, Robb’s sixth of 2011, will conclude his first full year as a professional fighter. “I’m happy with my team and how things are going,” explains Robb. “We are getting experience and that is what I need. Within time, we’ll be up there. We’re climbing up this mountain and at this point I’m happy. We are just going to keep getting better.”
Robb’s manager expects big things from his budding star, and believes Friday’s bout will be the Sacramento favorite’s last as a promotional free agent. “He should be signing with somebody right after this, guaranteed,” said Repo.
A knockout on Friday and on to bigger and better things in 2012. That is the plan.
Tickets for Friday’s event, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Don Chargin Productions, Paco Presents and Jorge Marron Productions, are available by calling Paco’s Mexican Restaurant in Woodland at 530-669-7946, Taqueria Guadalajara #1 in Woodland at 530-668-0628 or Travis Credit Union in Woodland at 530-668-0573.
Photo by Stephanie Trapp
