Smalls vs Ramos Predictions: ‘The Biggest’ test of Tahmir’s career

Unbeaten prospect Tahmir Smalls gets the ultimate test of his career so far as he faces noted spoiler Abel Ramos on Saturday, February 28. The bout takes place on the undercard of the super featherweight unification fight pitting Emanuel Navarrete against Eduardo Nunez. DAZN broadcast the event live from the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

Read on for my Smalls vs Ramos predictions.

Smalls vs Ramos Odds

Smalls is a 1/3 favourite to triumph here. Do not sleep on the sleeper, though. Ramos has taken the scalps of many a favourite and he is 11/4 to do it again. The draw is on the market at 12/1. Ramos has three draws on his record already…

Smalls vs Ramos Fight Preview

‘The Biggest’ Smalls is eyeing the biggest fights in 2026. The 26-year-old prospect is ranked eighth by the WBA, by virtue of holding their Continental Americas belt. The other sanctioning bodies will likely take notice too if Smalls wins this fight.

That result is no formality, despite Tahmir’s glistening 16-0 record (11 knockouts). Ramos is an old soul at 34. An underdog who has nearly been the undoing of some big names.

Ramos has beaten Omar Figueroa, held former world title challenger Maurice Hooker to a draw and run unbeaten prospect Cody Crowley and former WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas close in split decision defeats.

The piece de resistance on Ramos’ resume is his WBC welterweight championship draw with Mario Barrios. The pair shared a savage and unforgettable 12 round firefight on the undercard of Jake Paul’s embarrassing farce with Mike Tyson.

Like the ‘Iron’ Mike of many moons ago, Ramos was as aggressive as I have ever seen him . Meanwhile, Barrios held his feet and threw vicious volleys back at his assailant. The stalemate result was enough to warrant a rematch. The intense and thrilling action virtually demanded one. But sadly, Barrios would move on to another draw, this time with 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao, before losing his WBC belt last weekend to Ryan Garcia.

Ramos hasn’t been seen inside a prize ring since that furious battle back in November 2024. It is a shame he could not capitalise on that considerable momentum. A big underdog heading in, having rather inexplicably been handed a title chance having lost two of his last three fights, his brave and brutal performance should have opened doors. But injury put paid to a fight with Jose Luis Sanchez last summer.

Smalls is a return to business as usual for Ramos. He is once again being employed to ask questions of an unbeaten prospect. If ‘The Biggest’ can answer those vicious, two-fisted queries then the next question could be; can Tahmir Smalls beat WBA champion Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero?

Smalls vs Ramos Full Card

Emanuel Navarrete vs Eduardo Nunez

Tahmir Smalls vs Abel Ramos

Emiliano Vargas vs Agustin Ezequiel Quintana

Arturo Popoca vs Jordan Martinez

Trini Ochoa vs Oscar Alvarez Guerrero

Hector Beltran vs Cesar Diaz

Phillip Vella vs Brayan Ramos Armenta

Rahman Muhammad vs Mitchell Mcfadden

Smalls vs Ramos Prediction

Ramos does not let anyone get past him without a fight. Figueroa found out the hard way. Barrios couldn’t beat him. Even Crowley, who did take home a split decision, went through hell to clinch it.

Smalls’ last fight, a wide points not over Jose Roman Vazquez, saw the American need to put up a good pace for 10 rounds as an aggressor. Sometimes doing that against a runner, and the Puerto Rican took ‘back-foot’ to new levels in this contest, is harder than against someone who plants their boots on the mat and throws.

Ramos is the latter and Smalls will have to work for this. But I think this kid has enough about him to win it. A big victory for Smalls is 1/3.

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