Boxing notebook: Top Rank’s Arum plays anti-Trump card

Top Rank CEO Arum hasn’t been pleased with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s outspoken views on various topics. Most notably, immigration.

Arum took it to the ring Saturday with his “No Trump Undercard,” a nod, he said, to boxing’s Hispanic fighters and fans. Arum is no stranger to politics, having served as a Justice Department attorney during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.

“I followed politics very closely and I’m attuned to politics and political campaigns, and when I heard Trump’s statements regarding Hispanics and immigrants I was absolutely appalled,” he told The Bee ahead of the undercard in support of Manny Pacquiao/Timothy Bradley Jr. III at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“When I realized that the undercard I put together, (with) three young Hispanic guys on it – three fighters that I was trying to build to stardom, it clicked in me and I said, ‘Hey, these are three good people to put out before the public and refute what Trump is saying.’ One of my PR guys, Fred Sternburg, came up with the name ‘No Trump Undercard’ and we were off to the races.”

The promoter continually has emphasized his opposition to what he believes is an anti-American position, hammering home the point when he and his three prized fighters – Gilberto Ramirez, Oscar Valdez and Avenal native Jose Ramirez – went to Mexico for a pre-fight news conference.

“Don’t ignore it and say he’s just saying it and doesn’t mean it,” he said. “You have to take this seriously … you have to stand up for the 11.5 million undocumented people he wants to deport and (against) other crazy things he wants to do like have Mexico pay for a wall. That’s fatuous.

“It’s something that’s not part of our American culture and what America stands for. The fighters are sending out the message, particularly Jose. I’m very proud of him.”

Jose Ramirez, who has ventured into the political ring himself with his support for the farm irrigation advocacy group known as the Latino Water Coalition, also voiced his displeasure with Trump’s comments while addressing national media. His parents, Carlos and Juanita, are from Mexico and worked in the fields as did Ramirez when he was a teenager.

“The statements he’s made and how he handled this issue … he’s the poster boy for this issue,” Arum said. “His parents came here as farm workers and became American citizens. He fought on the Olympic team; he worked in the fields and he’s a spokesperson for the Latino Water Coalition. He’s the embodiment of what we’re all talking about.”

Arum pleased with his prospects – Arum’s undercard fighters also can box, with all three winning Saturday night. One became a world champion and another retained his belt.

Jose Ramirez defended his WBC Continental Americas crown with a unanimous decision over Manny Perez; Oscar Valdez picked up a fourth-round stoppage of Evgeny Gradovich; and Gilberto Ramirez became the first Mexican to win a super middleweight title with a unanimous decision win over WBO champ Arthur Abraham.

“We believe they’re on a path to superstardom,” Arum said. “I’ve been in the business for over 50 years and I hope they all become major attractions. If I’m not fortunate, maybe one does or two. This is not easy. Can’t wave a wand and just make it happen. Fighters on the road to superstardom sometimes trip. I’m very realistic about it.”

Arum eyes Crawford-Ramirez – Arum has laid out a scenario in which Top Rank secures a couple of more bouts for Jose Ramirez before a world title fight later this year.

The next step came Saturday night, when he got the Valley-based fighter out of his Fresno-area comfort zone again and also exposed him to a national audience. Arum got the reaction he was hoping for.

“As an athlete when they move up, whether it’s basketball, football or boxing, as the arena gets bigger the stakes get bigger and therefore there’s more pressure,” he said.

Arum believes “Jose has the capability of being a real force in the junior welterweight division and that’s a very hot division.”

The promoter went further and said Ramirez could be in line to face WBO champ Terence Crawford, “if he does get on the same level as Crawford.”

“Jose against Terence Crawford can be a major pay-per-view attraction making him a lot of money,” Arum said. “Timetables take care of themselves. What our matchmakers look to is for progress.”

Ramirez, for now, is scheduled for a July 9 fight against an opponent to be named at Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore.

In the moment – Jose Ramirez said he “forgot” he was on the pay-per-view portion of the card, a milestone in his three-year pro career, when he stepped between the ropes at the MGM.

There was a reason for that.

“At that moment, I was just focused on me and my opponent,” he said. “The only people I can hear is probably the cornermen and ones around the ring. In that case, I know millions around the world were watching but I probably heard 25 people.

“I’m happy I got this win and it puts my confidence up. It really puts me on track to becoming the best.”

This story was originally published April 9, 2016 at 10:07 PM with the headline "Boxing notebook: Top Rank’s Arum plays anti-Trump card."