Gilberto Ramirez declared that he has “no excuses” after being 7.6 pounds over weight for his now-cancelled 175-pound match against Gabriel Rosado scheduled for tonight (Saturday) in Long Beach, California.
He’ll have plenty of downtime to reflect on his actions.
Ramirez will be suspended for at least six months, according to California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster. If another commission doesn’t defy California’s order, that means he’ll miss one of the fights Rosado was made to sit out.
Rosado was expected to earn $175,000, and Ramirez $400,000.
“I’m suspending Ramirez,” Foster said.
“He’s getting suspended and fined, probably fined at least 5 grand. He blew the whole event up, so I’ll probably suspend him in the neighborhood of six months. It might be eight months.
“The suspension has to be long enough to cost him one fight because he cost Gabriel Rosado a fight and a training camp.”
Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) said he was embarrassed.
“No excuses,” he said in a statement.
“I had never missed weight in my 45 pro fights. This is the first and last time. I have always prided myself on being a professional, but today was not my finest moment.
“On that note, l’d like to apologize to all my fans and supporters, Golden Boy Promotions, and DAZN for this unfortunate event. I never gave up trying to make weight, cutting until the final moment, but just couldn’t lose enough to make the contracted weight.
“I am embarrassed and upset by my actions and promise that this will never happen again. I will make the right adjustments and will be back soon.”