Jesus Ramos Jnr wants to win the middleweight title, not be given one.
Ramos currently holds the WBC interim middleweight title, which he won against Shane Mosley Jnr in December. He hopes to face the primary WBC titleholder, Carlos Adames.
Ramos, 24-1 (19 KOs), doesn’t want to become the next “email titleholder” – upgraded when the primary titleholder vacates – but would rather win the belt in the ring.
“I wouldn’t want to be elevated,” Ramos told BoxingScene. “I want to take it from him; it means a lot more, being who I am. I like to compete against the best in whichever division I am in.”
Middleweight has become a blue-collar division in recent years. Gone are the days of Gennadiy Golovkin and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez competing in mega-fights in the division.
Currently, Adames is holding a title, with his future uncertain. After defeating Austin “Ammo” Williams in March, Adames hinted at moving up to super middleweight but has yet to vacate his title at 160lbs.
Long-reigning beltholder Janibek Alimkhanuly’s future also looks cloudy after a failed drug test – he was stripped of the IBF title but still has his belt from the WBO, which otherwise suspended him. Erislandy Lara holds the WBA title at the old (for boxing) age of 43. British veteran Denzel Bentley added his name to the mix, claiming the interim WBO title at the start of the month.
“I think the division is there for the taking,” Ramos said. “Right now my target is Carlos Adames, and after that I want to unify in the division…[the division] needs a face, and I am here to be that face.”
Adames, 25-1-1 (18 KOs), was himself elevated to full champion in 2024 and has made three title defenses. He defeated Terrell Gausha, had a draw with Hamzah Sheeraz, and outpointed Williams.
Adames is clearly one of the most talented in the division, but inactivity has plagued him. He has fought once a year since 2022. Ramos hopes for a July or August return, with no fight date set. In a perfect world, it would be against the 31-year-old Adames.
“I like that he comes forward,” Ramos said. “He believes in his power, so he takes risks, and that’s what I like. I am a great puncher, and I am able to counter that.”
Ramos’ career was really cooking as he defeated quality opponents such as Vladimir Hernandez, Brian Mendoza, Luke Santamaria, and prospect Joey Spencer. The 25-year-old Ramos saw his momentum simmer upon losing a controversial unanimous decision to Erickson Lubin in 2023. The loss created doubt around the young career of Ramos.
“I don’t know what depression feels like, but I am pretty sure that is what it was,” said Ramos, talking about dealing with his loss to Lubin. “I was sad with myself and the sport itself. I was mad at myself; it was a rough couple of months.”
Ramos made his middleweight debut against Jeison Rosario last year. In December, after one fight back at junior middleweight, he won the interim belt against Mosley. Ramos admits he feels better at the higher weight class. The next step would be to face one of the old guard.
“I want to test myself against Adames, especially since I think he considers himself the boogeyman of the division,” Ramos said. “I want to be the one to dethrone him.”
