Fresno - Only 22 months from his pro debut in Las Vegas, USA Olympian Jose Ramirez, 22, earned his first title belt by left-hooking David Rodela into submission for a 50-second first-round stoppage before a huge crowd at the Selland Arena last weekend.



"Jose is a great fighter, a future world champion," said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. "We had a big crowd with a big fight atmosphere in Fresno. I want to thank Rick Mirigian for all that he does to promote these events."



"I wasn't expecting to turn out like this," said Ramirez, with the green and gold NABF junior title belt strapped around his waist. "But I am very happy I did because it took all of the nerves out of my mom and dad and we did it in front of my hometown fans and friends."

Ramirez is now in the Philippines to help prepare Manny 'Pac Man' Pacquiao prepare for his upcoming title fight against Chris Algieri on PPV in Macau on November 22.



Ramirez will head for the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas where he will box on a Dec 13 card headlined by Timothy Bradley vs Diego Chaves, Mauricio Herrera vs Jose Benavidez and Matt Korobov vs Andy Lee.

Rodela, who had fought three world champions, was buckled by a flurry of hooks to the ribs, dropped his gloves and was dropped by Ramirez' final blow, a left hook to the right temple.



"Ramirez came out real fast and was hard to handle," Rodela said. "I was shocked."