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Abraham Lopez has decisive win over Julian Ramirez in HBO debut

Boxer Abraham Lopez shows up for a charity event at Dolby Theatre on May 25.
(Mark Davis / Getty Images)
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Welcome to the big stage, Abraham Lopez.

Lopez emerged with a unanimous decision against Julian Ramirez in a big featherweight undercard bout at Stubhub Center on Saturday.

It was the HBO debut for both local undefeated fighters, making the win even more meaningful for Ramirez, who came out victorious after he was on the defense early and inadvertently opened a cut above Ramirez’ right eye with a head butt in the sixth round.

“It was a close fight. My respects for Julian he definitely is a hard puncher,” Lopez said. “But I’m not hurt, I was able to counter the punches he came at me with. This victory opens doors for me. It moves me up to the next level in my career and gives me the opportunities to fight for a world title. I’m glad I [listened] to my corner . That’s what ultimately helped get the victory tonight.”

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It was an intriguing undercard to the World Boxing Council super-featherweight title fight between Francisco Vargas and Orlando Salido — Vargas’ first defense of his title and a much-anticipated matchup of two Mexican warriors.

It was also a night underlined by the death of boxing icon Muhammad Ali, who died late Friday. Before the main bout, there was a 10-bell tribute as spectators held up their cell phones to illuminate the stadium.

Judges scored in favor of Ramirez 97-93, 98-92, a decision that drew a smattering of jeers when it was announced. Ramirez landed 36.2% of his punches to 34.5% for Lopez.

“This was a really tough fight,” Ramirez said. “I knew he would be a tough opponent, and that’s what I trained hard for. I know that he won some rounds, but I thought that I did very well out there. And I thought that I had a very good shot at winning this. I feel that the decision should have been much closer. But it is what it is, and that’s boxing.”

Lopez, 28, from La Puente, remained undefeated (21-0-1, 15 knockouts) and has won his last four fights by knockout and decision.

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It was a big step forward to the world title picture for Lopez, who returned to ring last year after three-year hiatus to complete education as a respiratory therapist.

He reportedly got frustrated watching other fights during his hiatus because he knew he could beat some of the other fighters.

Ramirez certainly gave him the expected challenge as the matchup featured two aggressive punchers and lived up to its billing in the early going.

Ramirez had said he could have eschewed Lopez and taken easier bouts but welcomed the opportunity to fight another undefeated fighter of Lopez’s caliber.

Ramirez put Lopez on the ropes with two lefts shortly after the opening bell and went on the attack early with effective combinations.

Ramirez landed 49.9% of power punches to 38.4% for Lopez, who out-jabbed Ramirez by a considerable margin, according to fight statistics.

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Ramirez was bleeding from the sixth round on but hung in and managed to set back Lopez with a quick left in the eighth round.

Ramirez, 23, of Los Angeles (16-1, 8 knockouts) took his first defeat and first since being trained by former world titleholder Wayne McCullough. He had won his previous three bouts by decision.

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