A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf

A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf

A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf

“No Trump Card”

No+Trump+Card

Promoters of the Pacquiao-Bradley preliminary fights were labeled as the “No Trump Card” so the Mexican and Mexican-American boxers could demonstrate to presidential candidate Donald Trump that Mexicans are doing something positive for this country.

“These fighters stand for something special,” said Bob Arum during the last pre-fight press conference. “They stand for equality and justice for the Hispanic people who live among us and have to be treated fairly because they contribute so much to the United States.”

Arum thinks it’s their responsibility and opportunity to express how they feel as a boxing community. He said it’s their obligation to speak out during a time when there is such a controversial presidential candidate such as Trump.

“It’s a big opportunity for us to prove to people that us Mexicans can do a good thing over here,” said featherweight Oscar Valdez [19-0, 17 KO’s] during a Top Rank interview. “Not like Trump says that we’re rapists and drug dealers.”

Valdez took the win over Russian fighter Evgeny Gradovich [21-2, 9 KO’s] in the fourth round by TKO.

Central California’s own Jose Ramirez [17-0, 12 KO’s] won by decision over Manuel Perez [25-12, 6 KO’s] from Honolulu, Hawaii.

It was a special night for Ramirez, who also wanted to prove Mexicans and Mexican-Americans could be contributors in the U.S.

“It has a significant meaning to me,” Ramirez said during a Top Rank interview. “Being raised by Mexican parents and being a first generation here in the United States, it’s very important for me to deliver the message that Mr. Arum is trying to deliver.”

Mexican fighter Gilberto Ramirez [34-0, 24 KO’s] became the first Mexican to win the WBO World super middleweight title. He earned the win against Arthur Abraham [44-5, 29 KO’s] by decision in the co-main event.

Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao [58-6, 38 KO’s] stepped into the ring for the last time April 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas as the main event. He defeated Timothy Bradley Jr. [33-2, 13 KO’s] by decision.

This was the third fight against the two welterweight division fighters, and Pacquiao’s last fight ever.

Every fighter that represented  the “No Trump Card” brought home a win, representing what they believed in and trained for.

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