Gilberto Ramirez’s Aspirations in Boxing
In a recent interview with World Boxing News, Gilberto Ramirez, the unified cruiserweight champion, revealed his aspirations to transition to heavyweight boxing. His goal is to secure a fourth world title at a higher weight class before he wraps up his career. A potential move into the bridgerweight division might occur within the next 18 months to two years, but currently, his focus lies on defending his titles at cruiserweight.
Upcoming Title Defense
On June 28, Ramirez is set to defend his championship belt against Yuniel Dorticos as part of the undercard for the Paul vs. Chavez Jr. event. This match is crucial for him as he navigates the competitive cruiserweight landscape, which also includes two formidable opponents: Jai Opetaia and Badou Jack. Should he emerge victorious, Ramirez aims to complete his dominance in the 200-pound category before taking on the challenges presented by the bridgerweight and heavyweight divisions.
Ramirez on His Future Opponents
Interviewed by WBN, Ramirez expressed a willingness to fight any of the contenders vying for his attention, including both Jack and Opetaia, stating: “I’m open to all options. Everyone keeps mentioning my name, but I’m not sure who is really serious.”
He acknowledged Badou Jack’s long-standing interest in him, though he added skepticism about whether Jack is truly prepared for a challenging bout at this stage of his career. Regarding their last encounters, Ramirez was less than impressed by Jack’s recent performance against Noel Mikaelian, stating, “He did what he was supposed to do, but I was not impressed.”
Ramirez vs. Jake Paul
Interestingly, Jake Paul, the YouTube sensation turned boxing contender, has also expressed interest in fighting Ramirez, especially if he achieves victory against Chavez Jr. Ramirez acknowledged Paul’s ambitions and hard work in the sport but maintained a clear stance on their respective levels of boxing experience. Despite acknowledging Paul’s success, he remarked, “All talk is cheap. But Jake Paul knows he should plan a funeral if he commits to a fight against me.”
Looking Ahead
When asked about his future plans, Ramirez confirmed his intentions to pursue a heavyweight title once he completes his objectives at cruiserweight, stating: “Yes, that is my plan. I will fight at heavyweight, but I have a job to do at cruiserweight first.”
As fans eagerly await his upcoming fight, Ramirez’s journey showcases his ambition to not only succeed in the cruiserweight division but also establish himself in the heavyweight ranks, making a mark in multiple weight classes during his boxing career.
