Jesus Ramos set to fight Shane Mosley Jr.

Jesus Ramos Jr. is preparing for the biggest night of his career with a clear objective: becoming the first man to stop Shane Mosley Jr.

The 24-year-old Mexican will face Mosley Jr. for the interim WBC middleweight title on Oct. 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“Shane Mosley Jr. is a great fighter who’s never been stopped,” Ramos said. “So my goal is to be the first to get him out of there.”

Ramos (23-1, 19 KOs) has the opportunity to earn his first major championship and move closer to becoming a full world champion at 160 pounds. It is a mission fueled by a vision that plays out in his locker room, holding his WBC belt.

“It’s the same mindset as always,” Ramos said. “That never changes. We’re coming to win and put on a good show for the fans. But it’s a big fight. This is a big opportunity and there isn’t a day that I don’t go to sleep dreaming about this moment.

“I don’t like to get too ahead of myself, but I do dream about holding the belt, sitting in the locker room and reading every part of that WBC belt.”

Focus on fundamentals

His opponent, Mosley Jr. brings a five-fight winning streak into the night, including a win over two-time champion Daniel Jacobs last year. Ramos, however, is focusing on his fundamentals, particularly the jab, to neutralize Mosley’s advantages. 

“He’s a very slick fighter and he’s very fast,” Ramos said. “So we have to negate that. We’ve been working on the jab and our timing. All around I just have to make my style sharper and better. If I’m 100%, I don’t think anyone can beat me.”

More from Our Esquina

Jesus Ramos Jr. is eager to display power

From La Romana to Top Rank, Euri Cedeño chases greatness

Jacob Rodriguez leads Top 26 Latinos to watch in College Football

Beyond the ring, Ramos acknowledges the emotional influence of the moment. As a fan of Shane Mosley Sr., a Hall of Famer and the father of his upcoming opponent, Ramos sees this fight as a full-circle moment.

“If I go back 18 years and (someone) told me ‘you’d be fighting for a title against Shane Mosley’s son,’ I would have called that person crazy,” Ramos said. “We used to watch him fight and we were big fans. It’s crazy that I’m fighting his son now for my first title. I’m grateful to be here and I’m gonna take full advantage of this moment.”

Ramos’ own family will be in his corner, one steeped in boxing experience. His father, Jesus Ramos Sr., serves as head trainer, and his uncle, former title challenger Abel Ramos, will also be in the corner. That guidance, Ramos believes, will be vital.

Leaning on family

“Abel has fought for titles before, so he’s talked with me about how that feels and what to expect,” Ramos said. “It’s great to have him around because of that experience. I think he’ll be able to give me advice in the corner that will help me control those emotions.”

With training during Hispanic Heritage Month in September, Ramos shared that his family’s sacrifices and work ethic is what have shaped his commitment to the sport.

“Being Mexican plays a big role in the mindset that I have,” Ramos said. “My parents and my grandparents had to give up their lives to give us better opportunities. I’ll always be grateful for that. That’s one of the reasons I never quit, because my family never quit.” 

Those teachings are what Ramos credits for his mental strength. 

“There comes a time in the fight where things get tough and you ask yourself why you’re here,” Ramos said. “You have to have answers. I tell myself it’s because I was once that eight-year-old kid who wanted this. This is what I worked my whole life for. I’ve never hit a wall that I couldn’t overcome.”