Smalls Tops Nunez-Navarrete Undercard
Philadelphia’s Tahmir Smalls looks to cement his status as a welterweight force on February 28 when he faces veteran Abel Ramos in Glendale, Arizona. Serving as the co-main event for Navarrete-Nunez, this WBA regional title bout is a "statement time" opportunity for the unbeaten 16-0 Philly star.
Philadelphia native Jaron “Boots” Ennis may no longer compete for welterweight titles, but the future of the division may still run through the “City of Brotherly Love.”
After picking up wins against Luis Alberto Veron, Earl Bascome, Clarence Booth, and Jose Roman Vazquez in 2025, unbeaten welterweight Tahmir Smalls says he’s ready to compete against the division’s best. However, he must first defeat Abel Ramos in the former world title challenger’s home state of Arizona on February 28, 2026.
“2026 is my year. I am coming for everybody that is in my way to becoming World champion in the division, and that starts with Abel Ramos on February 28,” Smalls said. “Devin Haney, Mario Barrios, Rolly Romero and Lewis Crocker – I am calling out all of you. I am taking over the Welterweight division and there is nothing stopping me. On February 28, Abel Ramos – it’s belt to a—. Statement time.”
Ramos, a 34-year-old who has shared the ring with Cody Crawley and Yordenis Ugas, will be prepared to test the rising welterweight out of Philadelphia. More importantly, it will likely mark one of, if not his last, final opportunities to put himself in contention for a world title. Ramos went toe-to-toe with WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios for 12 rounds on the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson undercard, but the judges ultimately ruled against him. More than a year later, he will re-enter the ring with his home state fans cheering him on at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Ramos-Smalls will compete in the chief support bout for a card headlined by Emanuel Navarrete and Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez. The undercard will feature lightweight prospect Emiliano Vargas, super lightweight rising star Trini Ochoa, and unbeaten super welterweight newcomer Hector Beltran Jr.
