by Francisco Salazar

Every aspiring athlete at one point in their lives dreams of becoming famous. It is only natural that athletes and non-athletes aspire to greatness on a big stage like their favorite athletes did before.

While the boxing world currently has household names in Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, and the Klitschko brothers, one fighter does not wish to become as famous. Not even to casual boxing fans.

What? A fighter who does not wish to be known as a top contender or champion? A fighter who wants to be anonymous even if he earns significant purses?

To Luis Ramos, the answer would be yes. The southpaw fighter from Santa Ana, CA has been biding his time while patiently waiting for a significant or career-defining fight. However, he could live with that as long as that path will eventually get him there.

Ramos will fight Ricardo Williams in a scheduled 10 round bout at the Business Expo Center in Anaheim, CA. The bout will headline an eight-bout Golden Boy Promotions card and will be aired on Fox Sports and Fox Sports Deportes.

Ramos (23-0, 10 KOs) is coming off a eighth round technical knockout over Noe Bolanos in his last fight on September 8th.

Within the last couple of years, Ramos has faired fairly well against modest competition that has been comprised of former and fringe contenders.

However, most impressive victory thus far in his young career was a hard-fought and somewhat disputed 10 round unanimous decision over Ray Beltran in January.

The victory over Beltran now makes Ramos somewhat stand out in the loaded 140-division, something that Ramos and his team felt was necessary after competing in the lightweight division.

"I feel much better at 140 pounds," Ramos told BoxingScene.com this past week. "I don't have to drain myself to get down and I felt much stronger at this weight in my last fight. I feel more power in my punches when I sit down on them."

Williams, who Ramos will be facing, understands where the 24-year-old Mexican-American is at his career. After winning the silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Williams began his professional career unbeaten before he was upset by hard-nosed spoiler Juan "Pollo" Valenzuela.

Shortly there after, Williams was charged and convicted of drug trafficking (cocaine). After being three years away from boxing, Williams won nine bouts in a row before losing by knockout last November to Carson Jones.

While Williams is not the same fighter that he was years ago, he is sure to provide some test to Ramos. Whatever that is, Ramos is more than ready.

“I take nothing away from him and I know this is not an easy fight,” said Ramos, who is managed by Frank Espinoza and promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. “However, his time has past and this is my time. Anyone could be tough and dangerous, but I’m going to go in there and try and take him out.”

“To me, this is a young man’s sport. He’s 32 years old and he had his time. But, I’ve been waiting patiently for my opportunities.”

Ramos did have an opportunity come his way. According to Ramos, an opportunity arose for him to fight Amir Khan on December 15th. However, Khan turned down Ramos and is instead fighting fellow stablemate Carlos Molina at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles.

“He turned down the fight against me,” shrugged Ramos.

Despite how confident Ramos sounds in leading up to his fight against Williams, he remains very humble, something that is not often seen amongst the bright lights of the sport of boxing.

Although winning brings along about major purses and success, of which Ramos knows is a part of the sport, he does not want to be famous as some of the most well-known fighter in the sport.

Maybe he has seen what success could do to some fighters, especially at a young age when money changes peoples’ attitudes. Or maybe he does not want an unwanted entourage, which also exists among boxing’s elite.

He just wants to be Luis Ramos, a down to earth person who wants to provide for his family.

“My trainer (Hector Lopez) has seen how hard I work in the gym and that I remain humble. I never want to lose my drive, so that is why I don’t want to be famous. I just want to remain humble an hungry and to make enough money to take care of my family, Hector, those who have been there for me.”

Will Ramos pan out to be a world-class fighter? Who knows. But, Ramos has been moved along well and has the right mindset to possibly one day enter into the elite portion of the 140-pound division.

While fighters look for signing bonuses when they turn pro or when fighters are given television fights without having to prove themselves, Ramos provides a breath of fresh air in knowing that he wants to earn his success.

Famous one day? Not a cup of Ramos’ tea. But fighting for a world title one day or receiving a major purse for a fight he earned? Now that is something Ramos would enjoy. Patience is a virtue and Ramos believes that patience will eventually reward him one day.