Mar 2, 2016; Fresno, CA, USA; in the first half at the Save Mart Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 2, 2016; Fresno, CA, USA; in the first half at the Save Mart Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

With his right eye swollen and stitched moments after the fight, Ramirez smiled and asked questions when presented with a card by a group of Fresno State student volunteers from Camp Kesem, an organization that supports kids who have a parent affected by cancer.

Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro and first lady Mary Castro, who have long supported the former Fresno State student, met Ramirez in his locker room after the fight to congratulate him.

Ramirez battled through adversity, including a cut near his eye, to raise his hand and retain the title belt in front of a crowd that helped lift him to victory with support during the critical moments.

Ramirez battled through adversity, including a cut near his eye, to raise his hand and retain the title belt in front of a crowd that helped lift him to victory with support during the critical moments.

Alumnus Jose Ramirez (left) successfully defended his WBO super lightweight title in front of 14,000-plus fans at the Save Mart Center in February.

Alumnus Jose Ramirez (left) successfully defended his WBO super lightweight title in front of 14,000-plus fans at the Save Mart Center in February.

Ramirez needed all 12 rounds to edge out the challenger Jose Zepeda on the judges’ scorecards in what became his most tightly contested fight as a professional.

Ramirez needed all 12 rounds to edge out the challenger Jose Zepeda on the judges’ scorecards in what became his most tightly contested fight as a professional.

Ramirez needed all 12 rounds to edge out the challenger Jose Zepeda on the judges’ scorecards in what became his most tightly contested fight as a professional.

Ramirez needed all 12 rounds to edge out the challenger Jose Zepeda on the judges’ scorecards in what became his most tightly contested fight as a professional.

Ramirez needed all 12 rounds to edge out the challenger Jose Zepeda on the judges’ scorecards in what became his most tightly contested fight as a professional.

Ramirez needed all 12 rounds to edge out the challenger Jose Zepeda on the judges’ scorecards in what became his most tightly contested fight as a professional.

Ramirez needed all 12 rounds to edge out the challenger Jose Zepeda on the judges’ scorecards in what became his most tightly contested fight as a professional.

Ramirez needed all 12 rounds to edge out the challenger Jose Zepeda on the judges’ scorecards in what became his most tightly contested fight as a professional.

Ramirez needed all 12 rounds to edge out the challenger Jose Zepeda on the judges’ scorecards in what became his most tightly contested fight as a professional.

Ramirez needed all 12 rounds to edge out the challenger Jose Zepeda on the judges’ scorecards in what became his most tightly contested fight as a professional.

Dedicating his fights to community causes has become a staple for Ramirez and his manager, Rick Mirigian. Billed as the fight to “KO Cancer,” Ramirez wore purple gloves and visited patients and staff at the Community Cancer Institute in Clovis two days before the fight. A portion of the event’s proceeds went toward supporting the institute.

Dedicating his fights to community causes has become a staple for Ramirez and his manager, Rick Mirigian. Billed as the fight to “KO Cancer,” Ramirez wore purple gloves and visited patients and staff at the Community Cancer Institute in Clovis two days before the fight. A portion of the event’s proceeds went toward supporting the institute.

Dedicating his fights to community causes has become a staple for Ramirez and his manager, Rick Mirigian. Billed as the fight to “KO Cancer,” Ramirez wore purple gloves and visited patients and staff at the Community Cancer Institute in Clovis two days before the fight. A portion of the event’s proceeds went toward supporting the institute.

Jose Ramirez is focused and intense as he’s taped up moments before his nationally televised fight on ESPN where he defended his WBC super lightweight title in front of 14,000-plus fans at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, the University he attended for three semesters before his Olympic training began.

Jose Ramirez is focused and intense as he’s taped up moments before his nationally televised fight on ESPN where he defended his WBC super lightweight title in front of 14,000-plus fans at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, the University he attended for three semesters before his Olympic training began.

Jose Ramirez is focused and intense as he’s taped up moments before his nationally televised fight on ESPN where he defended his WBC super lightweight title in front of 14,000-plus fans at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, the University he attended for three semesters before his Olympic training began.

Dedicating his fights to community causes has become a staple for Ramirez and his manager, Rick Mirigian. Billed as the fight to “KO Cancer,” Ramirez wore purple gloves and visited patients and staff at the Community Cancer Institute in Clovis two days before the fight. A portion of the event’s proceeds went toward supporting the institute.

Jose Ramirez is focused and intense as he’s taped up moments before his nationally televised fight on ESPN where he defended his WBC super lightweight title in front of 14,000-plus fans at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, the University he attended for three semesters before his Olympic training began.

Jose Ramirez is focused and intense as he’s taped up moments before his nationally televised fight on ESPN where he defended his WBC super lightweight title in front of 14,000-plus fans at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, the University he attended for three semesters before his Olympic training began.

Jose Ramirez is focused and intense as he’s taped up moments before his nationally televised fight on ESPN where he defended his WBC super lightweight title in front of 14,000-plus fans at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, the University he attended for three semesters before his Olympic training began.

Jose Ramirez is focused and intense as he’s taped up moments before his nationally televised fight on ESPN where he defended his WBC super lightweight title in front of 14,000-plus fans at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, the University he attended for three semesters before his Olympic training began.

Jose Ramirez is focused and intense as he’s taped up moments before his nationally televised fight on ESPN where he defended his WBC super lightweight title in front of 14,000-plus fans at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, the University he attended for three semesters before his Olympic training began.

Jose Ramirez is focused and intense as he’s taped up moments before his nationally televised fight on ESPN where he defended his WBC super lightweight title in front of 14,000-plus fans at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, the University he attended for three semesters before his Olympic training began.

Jose Ramirez is focused and intense as he’s taped up moments before his nationally televised fight on ESPN where he defended his WBC super lightweight title in front of 14,000-plus fans at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, the University he attended for three semesters before his Olympic training began.

Jose Ramirez is focused and intense as he’s taped up moments before his nationally televised fight on ESPN where he defended his WBC super lightweight title in front of 14,000-plus fans at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, the University he attended for three semesters before his Olympic training began.

Jose Ramirez is focused and intense as he’s taped up moments before his nationally televised fight on ESPN where he defended his WBC super lightweight title in front of 14,000-plus fans at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, the University he attended for three semesters before his Olympic training began.

Jose Ramirez is focused and intense as he’s taped up moments before his nationally televised fight on ESPN where he defended his WBC super lightweight title in front of 14,000-plus fans at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, the University he attended for three semesters before his Olympic training began.