By Ben Jacobs

Gilberto Ramírez is aware that 2015 will likely be the year in which his first world title opportunity will occur.  Already with a high ranking in three of the four major sanctioning bodies, the Mexican faces experienced Fulgencio Zúñiga on November 15, after which, should he emerge victorious, he will be in pole position to perhaps face one of two British fighters who are also close to world title shots.  If Carl Froch vacates his IBF title in order to fight Julio César Chávez Jr in Las Vegas, there is a possibility that James DeGale will fight Ramírez for the vacant belt. 

"I've seen two or three of his fights, he's an elusive fighter, difficult, but I can prepare myself for any fighter.  If we do fight for a world title then it would be a great opportunity for both of us.  Every boxer dreams of fighting for the title."

Before any potential clash, DeGale will have to negotiate his way past another Mexican, Marco Antonio Peribán in Liverpool, England on November 22.

"It's a hard fight for Peribán but of course he can win, it depends on his training and how much confidence he has.  May the best man win.  I've never sparred with Peribán but we've seen each other a few times in Mexico City.  He's a good guy but I haven't worked with him in the gym."

Ramírez insisted that his current focus is firmly on his Colombian rival, but the temptation to look ahead is also evident.

"I know that he [Zúñiga] is a tough fighter with experience, he's coming to win and knock me off my path, but I've been preparing very well here in the United States for the past two months.  I feel very ready for this fight.

"I want to show that I have more to my game than anyone, I want to be world champion, I want to be the best in the world.  I have to win convincingly and that's what I'm prepared for."

'El Zurdo' has fought a  number of experienced men over the past few years which has no doubt been a good learning process for him in his young career.  But who would he say provided him with his stiffest test so far?

"All fights are hard, I don't underestimate anyone, but I would say that my fight against Samuel Miller, another Colombian, was the most difficult.  He knocked me down in the first round but I came back and stopped him.  That was back in 2011."

The 23-year-old has been preparing for his fights in the US for the past year and admitted that he enjoys the better sparring and overall work in the gyms in California.

"I've noticed a few differences in him, particularly his strength and speed," explained Héctor Zapari, Gilberto's trainer. 

"Here the sparring is much harder and intense.  Every fighter gives their best in sparring and that's what we were looking for.  It's difficult to find opponents for him sometimes, because he hits hard.

"A lot of these fighters want a lot of money to face him.  They ask for ridiculous numbers.  In terms of sparring we don't have much trouble finding people here in the US.  There are a lot of Europeans, African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, a lot of young guys as well just like Gilberto that want to spar him."

Zapari is aware of the talk on the internet with regards to a possible meeting with DeGale, but given Ramírez's high rankings with the IBF, WBC and the WBA, he could even face George Groves at some point who is also in a lofty position.

"There are even possibilities with the WBO, there's the Sturm vs Stieglitz fight and we could face the winner. (The WBO international title will be on the line against Zúñiga.)

"But you know how the business of boxing is, it depends on negotiations.  I've seen comments from DeGale's promoter, Eddie Hearn, that he could fight Gilberto.  The important thing is to be ready for whoever it is.  There are lots of options but we need to see what actually gets done.  After we fight Zúñiga we can see what happens.

"DeGale is quick, he moves a lot, he's elusive.  Gilberto is a Mexican but he's not the typical Mexican fighter, he knows how to box, he doesn't just come forward.  He's a good counter-puncher.  DeGale has a very difficult style but we know how to fight him.  At the moment we have this fight with Zúñiga and we're not underestimating him, he punches hard as well."