Newly crowned WBC Super Lightweight champion Jose Ramirez is mandated to face interim champion Regis Prograis, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.
“Since Jose won the title, we’ve been busy, but he is also looking forward to enjoying these events in his honor,” manager Rick Mirigian told ESPN. “He loves his community and they love him.”
Fans would be advised not to shake his right hand too hard, however. According to Mirigian, Ramirez suffered a “tiny fracture” at the base of his thumb on his right hand during the action-packed fight with Imam.
“It’s nothing significant. The doctor said he needed to rest it for 30 days and it should be fine,” Mirigian said. “It’s a tiny fracture at the bottom of his thumb. It’s nothing that needed surgery or was that severe. The doctor just recommended he not use it for the next 30 days.”
“Consistent to the WBC ruling during the world annual convention in Baku, Azerbaijan, the WBC is hereby ordering the free negotiations period for the mandatory fight to unify the WBC and the WBC interim championships,” Sulaiman wrote.
“Once again, congratulations and we look forward to a tremendous fight, which is already of the world interest,” Sulaiman wrote.
Ramirez said he has no problem fighting Prograis next if that has to be the case. “I signed up to fight the best to become the best. I fear no one,” Ramirez said. “We know Prograis should be next and I’m willing to take on the challenge that we both deserve. I will rest and enjoy the moment for a couple of weeks, and then start where I left off.”
He’s a good fighter, but I don’t think he brings much value to the table for a big fight until someone promotes him. Let him get known somewhat and you’ve got something,” Mirigian said. “I agree with Arum that he needs the exposure, but Jose will fight him. But for a big fight to happen, I just feel this guy needs some more promotion under him.
“He needs to be built somewhat outside the ring. We’ve put the work in outside the ring as well as inside the ring. Jose is ready to fight this guy and that’s what he wants, but we’ll let Bob Arum and Top Rank make those decisions. But I agree with what Top Rank is proposing to make the fight bigger.”
Top Rank is ready to make the fight with Prograis next if it has to.
“There have been some very preliminary discussions [with DiBella] about a couple of different scenarios,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN. “However it may work out, it works out. And if we have to fight Regis next, then that’s what will happen. He’s a terrific fighter, as is Jose, but I don’t view [Prograis] as a second coming of Henry Armstrong.”
