Rourke Knapp withdraws, Josh Kelly to face Placido Ramirez on December 16 instead
Junior middleweight Josh Kelly had been scheduled to face Rourke Knapp on December 16. However, the South African injured his hand and the fight was cancelled.
Wasserman Boxing, the promoter of the event, acted quickly and brought in Placido Ramirez as a substitute to face Kelly at Beacon of Light, Sunderland, England.
It is believed Knapp will be on the sidelines until late in the first quarter.
Kelly (14-1-1, 7 KOs) was a successful amateur, who represented Great Britain at the 2016 Olympics. He turned professional in 2017. Kelly initially impressed, widely outboxing former IBF junior middleweight titlist Carlos Molina (UD 10). He claimed the Commonwealth title in his next fight, stopping Kris George (RTD 7). However his progress was stiffled on his American debut against Ray Robinson (D 10).
The 29-year-old lost his unbeaten record to David Avanesyan (TKO 6) but has rebounded with four wins, notably besting previously unbeaten Troy Williamson (UD 12) and, most recently, Gabriel Corzo (UD 12).
Ramirez (24-3, 17 KOs) turned professional in 2016. The now 29-year-old Colombian won his first 10 fights, claiming the national lightweight title on the way before suffering a first career defeat at the hands of Sonny Fredrickson (KO 3).
He got back to winning ways before suffering setbacks against then undefeated duo Luis Ramos (KO 3) and Bryan Flores (UD 10) in junior welterweight bouts. Since then he’s moved up in weight and reeled off five wins, notably upsetting Lukasz Wierzbicki (KO 4) earlier this year.
Kelly-Ramirez, plus undercard bouts, will be broadcast on DAZN at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT and 7 p.m. GMT.
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