April 08--REPORTING FROM LAS VEGAS -- Central California's Jose Ramirez has become such a popular sports figure near his home base that he routinely sells out the Fresno arena for his fights.
Now, the unbeaten super-lightweight from Avenal has attracted so many sponsors that his boxing trunks can no longer accommodate another patch.
"We've added a multiyear national sponsorship from [Dodge] Ram trucks," Ramirez's manager/agent, Rick Mirigian, told The Times on Friday.
When alerted of the situation, Ramirez's veteran fight promoter, Bob Arum, suggested to Mirigian that Ramirez "bring two pairs of trunks," to Saturday's HBO pay-per-view opening bout against Denver's Manny Perez. "Change into the new ones after the first round."
Ramirez (16-0, 12 knockouts) is a 2012 U.S. Olympian who has been an eloquent voice for Arum's "No Trump" undercard to Saturday's Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley main event.
As a teen, he picked bell peppers in Central California, and is a strong local advocate for helping his area recover from the years-long drought.
More than $70,000 in tickets have been purchased by residents from near Fresno, promoters say.
In addition to Ram, Ramirez is sponsored by the large Latino grocery store chain Vallarta, El Jefe tequila (Ramirez is a spokesman for responsible drinking), Pasatiempo produce, Card City and Tachi casino-resort in Lemoore, Calif.
