Jose Ramirez: “I Have What It Takes To Face Terence Crawford At 147”

Jose Ramirez talks up future Terence Crawford bout

For WBC and WBO world super lightweight champion Jose “Jaguar” Ramirez (25-0, 17 KO’s), a definite change is coming. Presently, he feels well accomplished at 140 and the skillful Californian fighter is looking to jump up to welterweight. Upon doing so, he is making it no secret that he is looking to snuff WBO world welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (36-0, 27 KO’s) as soon as possible.

Ramirez is still riding high on his July 27, 2019 victory over Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker (27-1-3, 18 KO’s). From the very start of the prizefight, both Ramirez and Hooker initiated a high-intensity slug-fest that raged for six heated rounds. That was until Ramirez was able to catch and stun Mighty Mo with a sneaky left hook. After stumbling to the ropes, Hooker had his head drummed around like a bobble-head doll, forcing referee Mark Nelson to halt the action.

UPWARD MINDED

By his estimation, Ramirez is aiming to hang around the 140lbs landscape for two more fights before making his exodus. And as he told Fight Hub TV, Crawford is definitely at the forefront of his mind. This is far from a new aspiration though.

“But he [Crawford] said, ‘Jose has unfinished business at 140 before he moves to 147,’ he also said that. So, you know, I said, ‘That’s right, I do have at least two more fights at 140 before I make my decision to go to 147. But I’ll be honest, it’ll be an honor to step in the ring with you’ and all he said was, ‘Yeah man, good luck.’

BUILT FOR THIS

According to his logic, Ramirez foresees his shift to the welterweight division as an overall beneficial move. Not only does he like the available names there, physically he believes the transition will be in his best interest.

“When I do make that move to 147, I’m not going to be the same old 140 pounder. My body will be bigger, my punches will be heavier, [I] might be more comfortable at 147 than at 140. I am 5’10 and I do have a long 72 and half inch reach, so I have the speed to be a solid 147 pounder. So, I know I have what it takes. It’s just a matter of time before I am able to show it.”

WHY WAIT

And for those who like the notion of a Crawford v Ramirez dust-up, the super lightweight champion feels as though that could happen sooner rather than later.

“So it could happen at the end of 2021, so within a year, year and a half.”

By: Bakari Simpson

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