On 21 March 1963, Moore fought Sugar Ramos with the featherweight title at stake. It had originally been scheduled for July 1962 at Dodger Stadium but a torrential rainstorm hit the area, canceling the fight, which was postponed. In the 10th round, Ramos knocked Moore down, and his head whiplashed off one of the ring ropes and his head struck the canvas. Moore was declared loser by knock-out, although he was lucid and fully aware as he made his way into the locker room. In the locker room, Moore collapsed and went into a coma. He never came out of it, dying four days later.