For Jose Ramirez -- the lightweight boxing star from Avenal who has a longer consecutive national championship streak than even Oscar De La Hoya achieved -- his future as an amateur fighter has come down to this.
Ramirez must win two bouts this weekend at the Americas Continental Qualifier in Rio de Janeiro -- the last shot to qualify for this summer's London Olympics.Considering his 141 wins and 11 national titles, including a record-setting six straight USA Boxing golds, Ramirez is a favorite to exit Brazil as an Olympian.But should he fall short and not make the U.S. team, Ramirez plans to turn pro immediately."It's kind of unfair that everything seems to ride on this," said Rick Mirigian, who serves as Ramirez's adviser and manager. "These two fights could change his entire life. Jose has gone through so many steps and different processes as he chases his Olympic dream."They keep throwing different obstacles at him. But there's nothing more that he wants than to remain an amateur boxer a few more months and represent his country in London."Ramirez arrived Monday in Brazil and could not be reached for comment Thursday. It is part of a circuitous route to the Games that was laid down for U.S. boxers.In past years, the title Ramirez won at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in August would have been enough.But USA Boxing added additional qualification steps this time for trial winners who did not place high enough at the world championships.Thus, Ramirez is preparing to box in a "reloaded" tournament in Brazil against a bracket of North, Central and South American fighters. Ramirez needs only to reach the semifinals.The draw is Saturday."Jose refuses to give up on anything," Mirigian said. "He knows what's at stake. He's as focused as he's ever been."