Julio Ceja has credited trainer Ismael Salas with his rejuvenation as a fighter.
Former WBC 122lbs champion Ceja will make his step up to featherweight when he meets fellow Mexican Eduardo Ramirez in a WBC title eliminator on the Errol Spence vs Danny Garcia undercard at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on December 5.
In his first fight with Salas, the heavy-handed Ceja (32-4-1, 28 KOs) took WBA Regular super-bantam champ Brandon Figueroa to a split draw (despite forfeiting his opportunity to win the title after missing weight) before freeing himself of his struggles with the scales and moving up for this latest opportunity.
Photo: Ryan Hafey/PBC.
Ramirez (23-2-3 and 1 NC, 10 KOs) previously challenged Welshman Lee Selby (L12) for the IBF featherweight crown in December 2017.
“We’ve been in training for two months with coach Salas and we’ve been really focused on my strength work,” said Ceja as he wound down his training camp in Las Vegas. “We’ve been going over every detail because we know that Ramirez is a strong and dangerous fighter. Salas is familiar with him from when Leduan [Barthelemy] fought him, so we’re going to have a perfect game plan for December 5.
“We’ve had some trouble making 122-pounds for the last few fights, so that’s why we decided it was time to move up to featherweight. I’m working really hard and I feel stronger than ever. There are no concerns about making weight. We are about to finish our sparring and I can’t wait to show off my improvements in the ring.
“This is a fight with two Mexican warriors, so it’s going to be spectacular. Boxing fans know that when two Mexican fighters meet, especially in the US, there are going to be fireworks. Ramirez is smart and strong, but we’re planning to out think and out work him. This fight is definitely going to steal the show and be a match that people will be talking about afterward.
“This fight on December 5 is an amazing opportunity to fight for a world title. We’re only focused on Ramirez, but after this fight, whoever the champion is, that’s who I’m going to be ready to face. I’ll say yes right away. People saw what I did to [Guillermo] Rigondeaux and that I was beating him before the referee stopped the fight too early. I showed my strength in that fight and I showed how I would give [WBC featherweight champion] Gary Russell Jr. problems.”
Ceja-Ramirez will kick off the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View (9pm ET/6pm PT) event in the US, headlined by Errol Spence Jr. vs. Danny Garcia on Saturday, December 5 from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Main image: Milenio.