Former junior featherweight titlist Rico Ramos will take on Oscar Gonzalez in the new main event of ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights" on April 12 at Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, Wash.
The featherweight bout was put together to replace the original main event, which was to feature former super middleweight title challenger Andre Dirrell against Ossie Duran. However, Dirrell withdrew for undisclosed reasons, leaving promoter Dan Goossen to come up with a new fight to headline the card.
Ramos (21-2, 11 KOs), 25, of Los Angeles, hopes to turn around his recent 1-2 run. He lost his 122-pound title via sixth-round knockout to Guillermo Rigondeaux in January 2012, returned for an eight-round decision win against Efrain Esquivias in June but then moved up to the featherweight division and lost a 10-round unanimous decision to prospect Ronny Rios in January.
"I can't wait to get back into the ring and get back to my boxing style and winning ways," Ramos said. "I was very disappointed with my last performance and have made that commitment of whatever-it-takes attitude to turn things around.
"I know I have the skills, talent and determination to take my career back to the world championship level. I am really grateful that I have the ESPN platform to showcase all of the hard work that I have put into the gym. My dedication will be evident to all of those fans that are ringside and watching me on ESPN on fight night."
Like Ramos, Mexico's Gonzalez (17-2, 13 KOs), a 23-year-old promoted by former four-time titleholder Erik Morales, is also coming off a loss and in need of a victory. Gonzalez dropped a 10-round decision to Raul Hirales in Las Vegas in December.
"I've seen Ramos fight before, and I don't believe he's going to be able to take my punches," Gonzalez said. "Ramos is a talented fighter, and a win over him, especially when I knock him out cold, will put me in a good position."
In the co-feature, super middleweight Farah Ennis (20-1, 12 KOs), 30, of Pennsylvania, will face Francisco Sierra (25-7-1, 22 KOs), 25, of Mexico, in a scheduled eight-round bout.
Junior middleweight prospect Oscar Molina (3-0, 2 KOs), 23, a 2008 and 2012 Mexican Olympian, is also scheduled to appear on the card in a four-rounder.