By Ryan Burton

WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez (36-0) is very excited to be returning to the ring.  His fight on Saturday night in Corpus Christi, Texas headlines the first Top Rank on ESPN card of 2018. Jerwin Ancajas (28-1-1) defends his IBF super flyweight title in the co-feature bout against Israel Gonzalez (21-1)

"The training is done. I feel strong. We are just waiting for fight now so we can put on a show for all the fans to enjoy and to come out with the victory," said Ramirez.

Across the ring from his is the unbeaten and unknown Habib Ahmed (25-0-1) of Ghana. While fans in North America aren't very familiar with Ahmed, Ramirez said that he is taking the fight very serious.

"He is undefeated. We don't know much about him but we are expecting to see the best of Habib Ahmed and we expect him to be prepared well. Whatever style he brings to the ring we will be ready. Fighters like him that are unbeaten and not well known can be very dangerous. He doesn't want to lose and neither do I so it should be a great fight," Ramirez told BoxingScene.com.

Top Rank's deal with ESPN is going to allow fighters like Ramirez to be more active than most champions who usually fight twice a year.

The 26-year-old expects this fight to be first of several in 2018.

"This is what we have been waiting for. A deal like this with a television network where we can be active.  We plan on having a busy year but everything starts with this next fight," explained Ramirez.

Top Rank CEO Bob Arum visited with Ramirez and his team in his hometown of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico last October to outline their plans for 2018.  Part of the plan includes a homecoming bout for the 6'2.5" Ramirez.

He said that he didn't want to look too far ahead but that he would love the opportunity to fight in front of his countrymen.  His last bout in Mexico took place in Mexico City in 2013.  He hasn't fought in Mazatlan since since 2011.

"There isn't anything set in stone - and first we need to get a victory in this fight - but I would love to fight at home in Mazatlan. It has been 5 years since I fought in Mexico and I think we would have a really big crowd.  It has been a long time but the people have always supported me unconditionally," said Ramirez.

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