Avenal Boxing Champ Returns to the Valley

A few dozen supporters showed up Fresno Yosemite International Airport to congratulate Ramirez, who turns 19 later this week.

He won the 132 pound title last Friday, and will now fight at next month's world championships in Azerbaijan. A top 10 finish there and Ramirez will qualify for next summer's Olympic Games in London, a dream Ramirez has had since he began boxing more than 11 years ago.

Ramirez has already had a positive effect on Marisol Lopez, 16, a Stratford native fighting out of the same gym in Avenal. Lopez won the 106-pound division at the Junior Olympics last week, and says Ramirez's recent accomplishments have pushed her to succeed.