Key points:
- Jesus Ramos Jr. defends his interim WBC middleweight title against Meiirim Nursultanov on September 19 in San Diego
- The WBC has confirmed the winner faces full champion Carlos Adames next
- Nursultanov hasn’t fought in nearly three years, since November 2023
- Live on DAZN as the co-feature to Isaac Cruz vs Nestor Bravo
Jesus Ramos Jr. makes the first defence of his interim WBC middleweight title against unbeaten Kazakh contender Meiirim Nursultanov on Saturday, September 19, at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, live on DAZN as the co-feature to Isaac Cruz vs Nestor Bravo.
Ramos (24-1, 19 KOs) won the belt with a decision over Shane Mosley Jr. last December and has already named his ultimate target beyond Saturday. “I want Carlos Adames,” he told Our Esquina. “He’s the full champion. I don’t want an interim belt, I want the champion.” The WBC has confirmed the winner will be ordered into a mandatory shot at Adames directly.
Nursultanov (20-0, 11 KOs) presents a genuine unknown. The WBC’s No. 1 contender hasn’t fought in nearly three years, last appearing in November 2023, and now trains in Southern California after relocating from Kazakhstan. “This upcoming bout is a moment I’ve been eagerly waiting for,” he said. “I’m bringing pure focus, intense drive and a hunger for victory.”
As we previewed when the fight was first confirmed, the stakes extend beyond Saturday’s result. Ramos has already named Yoenli Hernandez as a future target, the same fighter currently pushing for a mandatory shot against English champion Denzel Bentley, meaning Saturday’s winner could shape two separate title pictures at once.
The main event sees Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz defend his interim WBC super lightweight title against Puerto Rico’s Nestor Bravo.