A Jose Ramirez/Terence Crawford fight in 2019? What the year looks like for Ramirez

It hasn’t even been a year since Jose Ramirez won the WBC junior welterweight title.

And yet, top boxing promoter Bob Arum, the Top Rank CEO, already is talking about moving Ramirez up in weight class.

To pit two undefeated boxers against one another: Ramirez (22-0) vs. WBO welterweight champ Terence Crawford (34-0).

Ramirez, who currently fights in the 140-pound division, would have to gain weight to get to Crawford’s current division at 147 pounds.

“If he’s developed where we think he is developed being the premier 140-pound guy and if his body feels ready for it, why not arrange a fight between him and Crawford?” Arum said. “If he wins (against Crawford), he’s one of the big superstars in the sport.

“And if he loses, he’ll go right back to defending his 140 pound title, meanwhile having made a lot of money on a big pay-per-view.”

That was news to Ramirez, but the Avenal native said he would be happy to fight Crawford.

“I’ll take any challenge,” Ramirez said. “I’ll be honored to fight Crawford at 147s. But right now, my job is to trying to make a strong statement and build myself as a good 140 pounder, and in time fight Crawford.

“If it doesn’t happen in 2019 .... in 2020, I’ll be a whole different guy. It’ll be great to fight Crawford.”

Ramirez, who won his belt back in March then successfully defended it in September at the Save Mart Center, has a couple of steps he first needs to complete the possible move up in weight classes.

First, Ramirez is likely to defend his WBC title in February in Fresno (with an opponent to be named in the coming weeks).

And if all goes well for Ramirez, he could then face Maurice Hooker, who holds the WBO superlight weight title, later in 2019.

That bout might even be held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where Ramirez’s beloved Dallas Cowboys play.

Ramirez, however, is currently focused on getting a title defense in place come early 2019.

“They asked me when do you want to go back in the ring?” Ramirez said. “I told them no later than February. I’ll be ready, so any date that’s open. I told them I want someone who’s undefeated for my next fight or anyone because I want to stay sharp.”

Ramirez also discussed facing Jorge Linares, who recently moved up to the junior welterweight division.

Ramirez’s deal with Top Rank expires in later 2019, which might be a reason Arum and Top Rank would like to see him fight Crawford before the end of next year.

“Our goal with them is to make the right deal in a highly competitive cash-heavy market right now,” said Rick Mirigian, Ramirez’s agent. “One that makes him a franchise fighter and the face of the company and sport for years to come. Ramirez has the complete package for stardom, in and out of the ring, and no one matches that potential out there.”