By Miguel Rivera
Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum of Top Rank traveled out to Mazatlan and met with WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez (36-0, 24 KOs) and his manager/co-promoter Jesús Zápari.
They discussed the possibility of Ramirez making a title defense in Mexico in May or June of next year. Ramirez was in action last month, when he retained his title with a close twelve round unanimous decision over mandatory challenger Jesse Hart.
"All of the dreams and goals are there to be met and this is a very important goal for me, that the people here in Mazatlan see me fight as a champion. It's a big thrill to think that I would also see my family and not just the people here. The whole world would watch, because Mazatlan would appear on the map and everyone will say that the 'Zurdo' Ramirez fought in his homeland, he made his fourth defense and emerged triumphant," said Ramírez.
Ramirez reveals, based on what he was told by Arum, that his next title defense will be part of an ESPN televise date on February 3 in Las Vegas - one night before the celebration of the Super Bowl.
"Obviously before [I can think about fighting in Mexico] I have a commitment on February 3. I'm thinking about the future, remaining as champion in the super middleweight division for a long time and make as many defenses as I'm permitted to do by the sanctioning body," Ramirez said.
One of the fights that Ramirez would really like to have, is a showdown with WBC, IBO, WBA, IBF middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs).
At the moment, Golovkin is in talks to have a May rematch with Canelo Alvarez, but there is no guarantee the two sides will finalize an agreement.
Arum and Tom Loeffler, who promotes Golovkin, have actually had discussions in the past about the possibility of having GGG move up to 168 to fight Ramirez - and both sides had real interest.
"I want to face GGG. He says he would go up to 168 pounds and by doing that he would be able to face me. I'm looking for a fight with GGG. I also want unify titles. We want to face the best. I'd go to England [for George Groves, Chris Eubank or James DeGale]. We are ready to fight anywhere," Ramirez said to Luis Motta.
As far as Golovkin-Canelo, Ramirez had no issue with the twelve round split draw last month at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
"They both had a good fight. I think it was fair for the fight to be a draw, because the two of them gave everything in the ring," Ramirez said.