By Miguel Rivera

Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramírez, the first super middleweight champion in the history of Mexican boxing, will try to become the second light heavyweight champion of Aztec boxing in 2019. 

With the support of his team, and promoter Top Rank, Ramirez has made the decision to seek new challenges at 175 pounds.

Ramirez, the 168-pound champion of the World Boxing Organization, said he intends to do his next match at 175 pounds, unless a big bout reappears to make him go through with the sacrifice of staying at the weight.

Top Rank has been stocking up on fighters at 175-pounds, like IBF champion Artur Beterbeiv, WBO champion Eleider Alvarez, Sergey Kovalev, and WBC champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk.

Because of that, Ramirez will be watching Saturday's Alvarez-Kovalev rematch with a lot of interest.

"We're going to go up to 175 pounds, I'm happy because it will be a new challenge in my career," Ramírez told ESPN Deportes.

"We've already spoken to the team, we want to make a fight before looking for a world championship, I would love to reign in the light heavyweight division and continue making history for boxing in Mexico."

 Despite the decision, Ramírez does not intend to give up the WBO super middleweight title, because he believes he can make room for an interesting fight.

"I can make the weight, but it comes at a cost. We could stay.. if there is a fight with Golovkin, with Canelo, some unification that is worthwhile. But if not, I'll stay at 175 pounds," Ramirez (39-0, 25 KOs).

"I know it's going to be a different challenge, I think everyone hits hard in boxing, but that's why I'm going to live in Los Angeles to be more focused, there are good fights. We have to see how Álvarez does with Kovalev because I felt that the Russian was winning the fight before the knockout loss."