Jesus Ramos Jr. sees Meirim Nursultanov as step to title bout

After securing his first major championship against Shane Mosley Jr. in 2025, Jesus Ramos Jr. looks to take one step closer to securing a chance to compete for full WBC middleweight championship stakes. 

But first Jesus “El Mono” Ramos must face undefeated 33-year-old Meirim Nursultanov at Pechanga Arena in San Diego on Sept. 19. 

The Casa Grande, Ariz., native has come a long way since first making a name for himself early in his career fighting in Tijuana, Mexico, across the border from San Diego.

“I’m very excited to be on this Pitbull card in San Diego, and right by Tijuana,” Ramos said. “That’s where my career started, and I have a lot of fans there.

“My maturity is different. We’re on a different level right now. These days in the gym aren’t draining because we know from experience what needs to be done. It’s because we’ve reached that different level.”

Stiff test

At 25 years old, Ramos Jr. posts a 24-1 record with 19 KOs

Defeating Nursultanov will be no easy task. The 6-foot middleweight boxer out of Kazakhstan holds a 20-0 professional record. 

However, Ramos Jr. remains confident. He is leaning on his preparation in the ring, his family and the backing of his hometown community.

More from Our Esquina

Teofimo Lopez absorbs punishment to win WBA welterweight title

Mexican Monster David Benavidez adds new crown

James Rodriguez catches World Cup fever from wife Marbella

Ramos has been training out of his family’s gym, the Ramos Boxing Academy, in Casa Grande under the guidance of his head coach and father, Jesus Ramos Sr. 

“There’s no trainer like my dad,” Ramos said. “We have the right chemistry, and he always knows how to push my buttons. I’m grateful to have him as a coach, and there’s no one else I’d want to share this journey with.”

Hometown honor

The family opened the academy in 2022 to give back to the community and the local up-and-coming Casa Grande fighters.

Casa Grande mayor Lisa Navarro Fitzgibbons awarded Jesus Ramos Jr. the Key to the City in March. Ramos was the first in the town’s history to receive such an honor.

“The Ramos family are a part of every aspect of this community,” Fitzgibbons said. “They raised their kids here and have been active here for many years. 

“Jesus is the first person to ever receive the key to the city because it’s so important for us to have a young leader who’s successful in his field, but also a true role model.” 

When Ramos steps into the ring on Sept. 19 with the backing of his family and the Casa Grande community, his focus will remain on handing Nursultanov his first professional loss. 

Ramos also knows a win takes him one step closer to his ultimate goal: a chance at challenging middleweight champion Carlos Adames.

“I want Carlos Adames,” Ramos Jr. says. “He’s the full champion. I don’t want an interim belt, I want the champion.”