Ramirez-Imam Marks 2,000th WBC World Title Fight!

Ramirez (21-0, 16 KOs), from Avenal, Calif., will face Imam (21-1, 18 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Lightweight title, marking the 2,000^th world title bout in the WBC’s 55-year history. The winner of the bout will receive a special belt commemorating the occasion.

And, one year to the day after making his professional debut at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square, Conlan (5-0, 4 KOs) returns to the venue to face David Berna (15-2, 14 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight special attraction. Joining Conlan at the press conference was WWE superstar Finn Bálor, who presented Conlan with a WWE championship belt.

Oleksandr Gvozdyk (14-0, 12 KOs), one of the light heavyweight division’s most fearsome punchers, will fight France’s Mehdi Amar (34-5-2 16 KOs) for the interim WBC Light Heavyweight title.

Ramirez vs. Imam, Conlan vs. Berna, and Gvozdyk vs. Amar will headline a spectacular St. Patrick’s Day world title extravaganza, Saturday, March 17, at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. The Ramirez vs. Imam world championship event will be televised live and exclusively at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN and stream live on the ESPN App, beginning at 5:30 p.m. EST.

Promoted by Top Rank and Don King Productions, in association with Madison Square Garden, tickets, priced at $206, $156, $106, $81, $56 and $31, can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008), and online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.MSG.com.

The undercard will also feature three of Puerto Rico’s top fighters. Felix Verdejo (23-0, 15 KOs) returns from a 13-month layoff to face Antonio Lozada, Jr. (38-2, 32 KOs), former IBF Junior Lightweight world champion Jose Pedraza (22-1, 12 KOs) begins his lightweight campaign against Jose Luis Rodriguez (26-11-1, 14 KOs), and the unbeaten Christopher Diaz (22-0, 14 KOs) defends his NABO Super Featherweight belt against Braulio Rodriguez (19-2, 17 KOs).

18-year-old Joseph Adorno (5-0, 5 KOs) will fight Ivan de la Madrid in a four-round super featherweight bout, while super bantamweight Jose Gonzalez (8-0-2, 2 KOs) will take on Adan Gonzales in a six-round rematch of their December 9 fight, which was ruled a majority draw.

Bob Arum 

“Don King, who’s sitting on my left, has a big picture of the man who is, unfortunately, the President of the United States. I’m here with a red cap that says, ‘pro-immigrant and proud.’ I really dedicate this card to the Dreamers, particularly, who deserve a pathway to citizenship because they are contributing greatly to this country. And to the immigrants who came here illegally, who worked their whole lives in the fields, picking the produce that fed the people in the United States and around the world, we have to find a way to give these people the pathway to citizenship.”

Jose Ramirez

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity. It’s definitely a blessing to be able to fight here for my first world title, here at the ‘Mecca of Boxing’ here in New York City. To be able to showcase my talent to a whole different crowd, it’s part of becoming a superstar. It’s part of growing as a fighter. It’s part of growing as an entertainer. And I can’t wait to showcase my talent on Saturday against Amir Imam.”

“Me as a fighter, I signed up to fight against the best fighters in the world. Making it through the Olympics, I know that my experience, talent, and skills are there for me to become a world champion. And not just a world champion, but to make a big statement in the 140-pound division.”

“I started boxing when I was 8 years old. I’ve been boxing for 17 years. I’ve had 17 years to prepare myself for this moment Saturday night. I hope to showcase my talent at my best, and I hope Amir Imam brings the best out of him to bring the best out of me.”

Rick Mirigian (Manager, Jose Ramirez)

“I want to thank Don King because he just made the after-party that much better. Because now, it’s going to be his retirement party!”

Amir Imam

“A lot of fighters don’t get to fight here, and I’m blessed and honored to be here, fighting for the WBC’s 2,000^th title fight. And I’m ready to go.”

“He’s a tough fighter. I see a lot in him. I’m not overlooking him, and I know we trained hard for this training camp. I’m ready to get the WBC belt.”

‘I’ve been doing this since I was 12 years old. Everybody that boxes pretty much has been doing this since they were young, so they had a dream to become an Olympian. That didn’t happen for me, but now it’s time to get the title.”

“Tune in, man. It’s going a to be a great fight, an electrifying fight. Main event. ESPN.”

Michael Conlan

“It means a lot to me to be back. Every time I come to New York, I feel at home by everybody here, everybody at The Garden. Every time I walk down the street, I see someone I know. It does feel like I’m in Ireland when I am here. It’s almost one year to the day {since my pro debut}, and I’m excited to show I’m a more mature and improved Michael Conlan.”

“I’ve moved back toward home. I’m training in London now. I’m training alongside Adam Booth. It’s a great stable. There’s a lot of top fighters there, unified world champions. I’m getting a lot of good work. It’s probably the best camp I’ve had as a professional. I know people say that every time that they’re going to step in the ring, but I do believe this is the best I’ve felt. And, I’m looking forward to showing that on Saturday.”

Oleksandr Gvozdyk

“I think I had my best camp so far and my rival will see it Saturday. All the fans should expect a good fight.”

“I’m happy to fight on ESPN and thank ESPN for giving me the opportunity to expose my skills to more people.”

Mehdi Amar:

“I’m happy to be here in New York facing a great opponent for such a prestigious title. I just want to fight good rounds and give a good performance.”

Felix Verdejo

“I’m going to come back more mature. I’m coming back stronger than ever, and I’m going to show what Puerto Rico is made of.”

“I’m just here to show my skills and come out with the victory on Saturday.”

Jose Pedraza

“I feel very happy signing with Top Rank. That’s something we were waiting for a long time. I know good things are going to come from this signing.”

“The fans can expect the Pedraza of old, the one who likes to practice the art of boxing, and that’s to hit and not be hit.”

Christopher Diaz

“I think we are close to a title fight, and we have to keep learning. When the fight comes, we’re going to win.”

“I want to fight the best to be the best. Here I am. I want to be the best at 130 pounds, and I’m going to make it.”