Unified super-lightweight champion Jose Carlos Ramirez says that, despite a frustrating delay to his scheduled defence against Viktor Postol, his plan remains to beat the Ukrainian and then jump into an undisputed 140lbs title showdown with Scottish maestro Josh Taylor.
Speaking on Stars and Champions with Dan Rafael, WBC and WBO champion Ramirez revealed that his three-stage plan also involves a move up to welterweight should he clean up at 140lbs in the months to come.
The 27-year-old also identified promotional ally Terence Crawford as a potential future target, but acknowledged he must first focus on what lies ahead at super-lightweight.
“I’m very motivated for that [Josh Taylor] fight,” said Ramirez. “That’s the goal. The plans haven’t changed for me! I’ll focus on Postol, as that fight is going to happen sooner or later. That’s who I want next, though – Josh Taylor. I’m getting stronger and better. I’m feeling more confident in the ring.
“The better the opposition, the better I perform. I’ll be happy to make my way up to the welterweight division as an undisputed champion. Of course, [I want to face Crawford]; if I make my way up, you’ll see a much bigger, stronger Jose Ramirez. You’ll see me develop. You saw Crawford go through from 130-147, but I could never make 130. My body frame is too big. You might see a better Ramirez at 147.”
Ramirez’s defence against former WBC title-holder Postol has been postponed twice due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic while WBA Super and IBF champion Taylor is also waiting for a date for his clash with IBF mandatory challenger Apinun Khongsong. Get to know the Thai puncher in his interview with Boxing Social, as he gears up to derail any future Ramirez-Taylor showdown.