Jose Ramirez  fights to KO cancer

The World Boxing Council super lightweight champion, Jose Ramirez, will fight two times this week.

The California native will defend his WBC world title against Jose “Chon” Zepeda this Sunday at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. But also, Ramírez will help to raise funds and raise awareness about cancer to help men, women and children who are combatting the illness.

Ramirez will make a special visit to the Community Cancer Institute in Clovis, California, where he will meet with patients and staff members. After the fight he will auction off his gloves and uniform, with  all proceeds benefitting the Community Cancer Institute. Also a percentage  of all ticket sales will be donated to the Community Cancer Institute.  Ramírez and his manager, Rick Mirigian, will also donate 1,000 tickets to Community Cancer Institute patients and their families.

“This is not just about boxing, I am proud to dedicate my fight against Zepeda to the fight against cancer and to work with the great people at the Community Cancer Institute,” Ramirez said. “People in the Central Valley have supported me since my amateur days, and I think it’s important for me to use my platform in a positive way.”

“I lost my two grandparents for cancer. Rick Mirgian’s mother is fighting cancer. It is a universal thing. Many families know someone who is affected by cancer. When someone has cancer, it hits the whole family. Making an event dedicated to people suffering from cancer will show them that they are supported and loved. ”

Ramírez vs. Zepeda and the match between former Mexican champion Ray Beltran and unbeaten Japanese Hiroki Okada will headline a special Top Rank on ESPN card starting at 7 p.m. ET for ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

Tickets for this world championship event, priced at $ 150, $ 90, $ 60, $ 35 and $ 25, can be purchased at the Save Mart Center box office, Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.