Jose Ramirez: God Willing, Top Rank Is Able To Give Me The Teofimo Lopez Fight Next

NEW YORK – Teofimo Lopez wasn’t keen to debate doable opponents for his subsequent struggle within the quick aftermath of his spectacular win towards Josh Taylor.

One among his potential future foes, Jose Ramirez, gladly mentioned opposing Lopez, although, within the ring following Lopez’s 12-round, unanimous-decision victory over Taylor. Ramirez wished a rematch with Taylor, who’s the one opponent to beat him, however the former WBC/WBO 140-pound champion has shifted his focus to Lopez now that Lopez has knocked off the previous undisputed champ of their division.

“Most undoubtedly,” Ramirez informed ESPN’s Bernardo Osuna when requested about boxing Lopez subsequent. “You already know, God keen, High Rank is ready to give that to me subsequent. And let’s make it occur. You already know, I’ll be honored to share the ring with Teofimo Lopez and, you understand, take these belts again.”

Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) and Ramirez (28-1, 18 KOs) are each promoted by Bob Arum’s High Rank Inc., subsequently their struggle must be comparatively simple to place collectively.

Ramirez, of Avenal, California, is ranked third among the many WBO’s 140-pound contenders. Solely Lopez, who was the quantity one-rated, necessary challenger for Taylor’s title, and Arnold Barboza Jr. (28-0, 10 KOs) had been listed forward of Ramirez within the WBO’s most up-to-date rankings.

The 25-year-old Lopez appeared sharper in defeating Taylor than the Brooklyn native did throughout any of his three earlier fights. Choose Benoit Roussel scored 9 rounds for Lopez (117-111), however judges Steve Grey and Joe Pasquale scored their contest nearer, 115-113 apiece.

“You already know, Teofimo appeared actually sharp,” Ramirez stated. “You already know, he appeared actually sturdy and you possibly can inform, you understand, Taylor’s not the cleanest fighter, bro. You already know, you noticed it once more tonight and I feel Teofimo did an important job, you understand, on the clinches. You already know, after the primary couple rounds, he took management. You already know, and once more, you understand, I don’t know the place Taylor’s at. You already know, he’s been inactive for a while [15 months before Saturday night]. However hey, congratulations to Teofimo Lopez. He appeared sharp.”

Ramirez was knocked down twice by Scotland’s Taylor (19-1, 13 KOs), as soon as apiece within the sixth and seventh rounds, and misplaced their 12-round, 140-pound title unification bout by unanimous choice in Could 2021 at Virgin Resorts Las Vegas. The 2012 U.S. Olympian nonetheless feels he would fare much better towards Lopez than Taylor carried out in a primary occasion ESPN aired from The Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard.

“Taylor appeared actually flat-footed, man,” Ramirez stated. “He appeared actually flat-footed and Teofimo capitalized on that. You already know, he appeared very heavy on his ft. He appeared drained after the fourth, fifth spherical, however you understand, I really feel just like the Jose Ramirez now could be a significantly better fighter than I used to be earlier than.

“You already know, and I really feel actually good mentally and wholesome and, you understand, I really feel my abilities total are significantly better than Taylor’s, so we’ll should see that night time. You already know, and I’ll do, you understand, the speaking with actions in that ring if I ever do face Teofimo Lopez.”

Ramirez, 30, has overwhelmed Jose Pedraza (29-5-1, 14 KOs) by 12-round unanimous choice and knocked out Richard Commey (30-5-1, 27 KOs) within the eleventh spherical in his two fights since his loss to Taylor.

Keith Idec is a senior author/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He may be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.