What's next for Jose Ramirez?
Five potential fights for the former unified champion following crucial victory over Richard Commey
Jose Ramirez (28-1, 18 KO’s) has continued his journey back towards the summit of the super lightweight division by clinching a crucial victory against former lightweight champion Richard Commey by eleventh round stoppage at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
The former unified WBC and WBO champion at 140lbs has now won two fights in a row since his decision defeat to Josh Taylor back in 2021 in a huge Undisputed clash, leaving himself once again on the verge of achieving world title glory.
We will now take a look at what could be the next step on the comeback trail for Ramirez, and five potential opponents we may see the Californian share the ring with next.
Subriel Matias (19-1, 19 KO’s)
If it is to be another crack at a world champion next up for Ramirez, then one of the most likely opponents may be the big punching, newly crowned IBF king Subriel Matias. The Puerto Rican Matias won the world title last month by bettering the previously unbeaten Jeremias Ponce to pick up the vacant IBF crown that had been relinquished by Ramirez foe and Undisputed champion Josh Taylor.
Alberto Puello (21-0, 10 KO's)
Another fighter who benefitted from the fracturing of the super lightweight titles by Josh Taylor is Alberto Puello. The unbeaten Dominican fighter defeated Batyr Akhmedov last August in Florida to pick up the vacant WBA title. He is scheduled to make the first defence of his crown against Rolando Romero on May 13th, and if he can come through that relatively unscathed, the path could be cleared for a huge clash with Ramirez later on in 2023.
Regis Prograis (28-1, 24 KO's)
It had been a surprisingly stagnated couple of years for the supremely talented Prograis following a razor thin decision defeat to Josh Taylor in the final of the World Boxing Super Series in 2019. It was last November when he finally became a super lightweight ruler again as he stopped Jose Zepeda to win the WBC strap. Ramirez could now look to reclaim his former title in a clash against Prograis that would leave boxing fans worldwide salivating.
Jack Catterall (26-1, 13 KO's)
If a world title fight is not next on the horizon for Ramirez, then a fight with another man banging on the door for his opportunity in Jack Catterall would be a massively intriguing clash. Englishman Catterall has gathered a groundswell of support from boxing fans following a highly controversial decision loss to Josh Taylor for Undisputed honours in 2022. If the eagerly anticipated rematch with the Scot doesn't come to fruition for Catterall next, then the winner of a potential Catterall vs Ramirez clash would surely not be denied their chance at a world title in the aftermath.
Teofimo Lopez (18-1, 13 KO's)
Once again, if it is not to be a world title fight next for Ramirez, then a fight against former unified lightweight king Lopez would be an excellent clash to determine the true number one contender at 140lbs. The charismatic Lopez is unbeaten since his move north to super lightweight last year, but a clash against Ramirez would represent a significant step up in his new surroundings.