Jose Ramirez rocked early but pounds out unanimous decision over Rances Barthelemy

FRESNO – Junior welterweight contender Jose Ramirez was able to weather an early rounds storm to come out victorious against fellow former world titleholder Rances Barthelemy.

The Ring’s No. 4-rated junior welterweight scored unanimous decision against Barthelemy, who held IBF titles at 130 and 135 pounds, on Saturday before a partisan crowd at the Save Mart Center in his hometown of Fresno, California.

Scores were 119-109, 119-109, and 118-110 for Ramirez (29-1, 18 KOs), who was...