Bold takeaway: A seasoned Abel Ramos outworked the rising Tahmir Smalls in Glendale, handing the undefeated challenger his first loss. But here’s where it gets controversial—was Smalls exposed by Ramos’s pressure, or did Smalls simply meet a more prepared veteran at the right time?
Ramos Hands Smalls His First Defeat In Glendale, AZ
Photo by Cris Esqueda/ Matchroom Boxing
Boxing Fight
By Miguel Maravilla
Welterweight local Abel Ramos of Phoenix outworked Philadelphia’s Tahmir Smalls to earn a split decision victory.
The undefeated Smalls started sharp, out-landing Ramos and throwing clean combinations as Ramos started slowly. Yet Ramos stayed patient, landing steady body work that began to wear Smalls down. A telling moment came in the fourth round when Ramos connected multiple body shots and then snapped Smalls with an overhand right that grabbed his attention.
As the fight progressed, Ramos closed the distance more effectively and landed with greater frequency in the second half. The body shots seemed to accumulate, visibly affecting Smalls as he faded. Ramos surged in the seventh, his experience showing as Smalls’ output dropped and he struggled to maintain pressure. By the later rounds, Ramos dictated the pace, while Smalls clung to the hope of surviving to the final bell.
In the end, Ramos fought with confidence and initiative, pressing the action while Smalls appeared to be fighting merely to reach the finish line.
Scoring reflected the competitive nature of the bout: 98-92 and 97-93 for Ramos, and 96-94 for Smalls, resulting in a split decision victory for Ramos. With the win, Ramos advances to 29-6-3 with 22 KOs. Smalls suffers his first professional defeat, dropping to 16-1 with 11 KOs.
What this result means for both fighters going forward is a ripe topic for discussion: does the setback force Smalls to rethink his strategy, or does Ramos’s veteran poise signal a new level in his own career? Share your take in the comments: Was this a landmark win for Ramos or a troubling sign for Smalls’ development?"}
