Jesus Ramos Jnr went into his middleweight fight with Shane Mosley Jnr insistent that he was not done with 154lbs and would weigh up his options afterward.
It appears that his mind is now made up after Saturday’s outcome.
Ramos claimed a competitive but clear points win over the second-generation boxer to earn an interim version of the WBC 160lbs title this past Saturday in San Antonio, Texas. The Prime Video pay-per-view aired fight marked his middleweight debut, though he found it to be a good enough fit to stick around for at least one more fight – and one challenge in particular.
“I want Carlos Adames,” Ramos said after posting his fourth consecutive victory. “He’s the full champion.”
Adames, 24-1-1 (18 KOs) is the recognized WBC middleweight titlist. The 31-year-old Dominican has not fought since a 12-round draw with Hamzah Sheeraz on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, he is presently on the hook for a long overdue mandatory title defense against Kazakhstan’s Meiirim Nursultanov, 20-0 (11 KOs) as ordered by the WBC.
That would still leave Ramos, 24-1 (19 KOs) with options for his next fight, with hopes that he can maintain the same level of activity as this past year. The 24-year-old from Casa Grande, Arizona was able to get in three fights in 2205, his busiest campaign since 2022.
There is a chance that his 2026 campaign will slow down, by comparison.
Irrespective of PBC’s erratic schedule, Ramos will need time to allow a hand injury to fully heal. He entered the fight somewhat handicapped, which only greater spoke of the manner in which he was able to get his first win at 160lbs.
“I actually had a right hand injury the last three weeks of camp,” Ramos confessed. “We didn't spar for the last four weeks. So, it was tough to get my timing. I would catch a rhythm and lose it.
“I faced a lot of obstacles, but I told my family there was no way I was leaving San Antonio without a belt.”
Depending on the healing process, time could be on Ramos’ side to wait out Adames’ mandatory situation with Nursultanov and then pursue the version of the belt he’d much rather carry.
“I don't want the interim belt, I want the champion,” insisted Ramos.
