On June 24, 1968, Ramos became the first Mexican to challenge for the heavyweight crown when he fought reigning champion Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
[5][6] This led to him being ranked #4 by The Ring Magazine and set up a title match with NYSAC World Champion Joe Frazier.
[7] The match was an intense two-round battle,[1][8] in which Ramos briefly staggered Frazier, but was then knocked down twice and lost by referee's stoppage when he signaled that he was unable to continue.
He continued to be ranked as a top heavyweight through the end of the 1960s, but losses to George Chuvalo, Jack O'Halloran,[9] and Chuck Wepner (in which Ramos inflicted serious cuts on his opponent but went on to lose by unanimous decision)[1][10] marked the beginning of his decline.
Outside of the ring, Ramos had roles in the Mexican films Nosotros los feos (1973) and El Loco Bronco (1989).