By Ismael Rubio

In order to be ready to face any of the top fighters in the super middleweight division, World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez of Mexico has resumed a regular training regime.

Ramirez has begun his physical work sessions at the Zapai Boxing Gym in his native Mazatlan.

Hardly a week had passed following his last defense, against Colombian Roamer Alexis Angulo, and Ramirez was already performing his morning runs.

A fortnight ago he returned to the gym to be under the command of his coach Hector Zapari, who is also in charge of supervising his physical work, which alternates between strength and endurance training and swimming in the open sea.

"We've been doing swimming, fitness, we started running too. I stopped swimming for a time and now that I started back I feel great, better than before and we are going to continue swimming," revealed Ramírez during his latest visit to the city of Culiacán, where he attended a boxing card.

"I like to be in shape, I like to look good too. But mainly to be constant because if I leave a week or two weeks of training behind, for me to resume training costs me a lot," he added.

The date for the fifth defense of his super middleweight belt is not yet confirmed, but his manager Jesus Zápari and promotional firm Top Rank are working to set down his next ring return for a date in November - where Ramirez is pushing to face a top rated opponent at 168 pounds.

There are two names on his list - former IBO champion Chris Eubank Jr. and former IBF champion James DeGale.

"I like Eubank Jr, I like James DeGale, any of them. I am prepared to fight with any of the champions, with the best. And I don't only want to be one of the best, but I want to be the best. I want to be a pound-for-pound fighters', I want there to be another Mexican idol," Ramirez concluded.