Jose Ramirez and Jose Pedraza set for pivotal Feb. 5 fight

Junior welterweight contenders Jose Ramirez and Jose Pedraza have agreed to terms on a Feb. 5 fight, according to Mike Coppinger at ESPN.

It’s a terrific matchup for both. Ramirez (26-1, 17 KO) lost the WBC and WBO titles in his May 22 undisputed championship fight against Josh Taylor, but coming back against Pedraza (29-3, 14 KO) shows he’s serious about keeping himself right in the mix and getting back to another title chance sooner than later.

Pedraza last fought on June 12, stopping previously-unbeaten Julian Rodriguez after eight rounds. The former junior lightweight and lightweight titleholder moved up to 140 in 2019, losing to Jose Zepeda, but has looked good in three wins since and proven he’s a plenty credible fighter in this division.

Undisputed champion Josh Taylor is set to face a mandatory challenger, Jack Catterall, on Feb. 26, so in theory, the winner of this fight would be lined up to possibly fight Taylor in the summer, though there will be other options.