Jose Ramirez sees title fight as first step to stardom

It was just this past November that Jose Ramirez told yours truly, “It would be an honor for me to be a world champion, bring pride to my family and myself.”
Ramirez, out of the California farming community of Avenal, will get that chance Saturday when he takes on Amir Imam for a vacant junior lightweight title at Madison Square Garden in New York City (on ESPN).
“I started boxing when I was 8 years old,” said Ramirez, 25. “I’ve been boxing for 17 years. I&rsq