For Jose “Sniper” Pedraza, fighting against the former unified junior welterweight world champion, Jose Ramirez, is a sign that he's considered part of the division's elite and that he deserves the opportunity to fight for a third world title.

Pedraza, who has a record of 23-3 and 14 knockouts, will face the former 140-pound champion of the World Boxing Council (WBC) and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) on March 4, at the Save Mart Center of Fresno, Calif.

The fight will be broadcast live on ESPN+. The winner would be in a position to go for a championship by the end of 2022.

"The fact that they considered me for this fight tells me that I am in the elite," Pedraza said Sara Henandez.

“I am new in the division, and this tells me that I am up there with all those great champions. This makes me proud and encourages me to keep working harder. That they think of me to fight with the great boxers, encourages me because I am looking for another world title."

Pedraza was champion at 130 and 135 pounds. For his part, Ramirez (26-1, 17 KO's) lost his WBC and WBO belts last May to Josh Taylor, who is currently the undisputed champion of the weight class.

“This means a lot to me, to my family and to Puerto Rico because it would put me on the path to be with those legends and those great champions that the island has who won titles in three divisions or more, which there aren't that many. I want to achieve that goal and leave that legacy," Pedraza said.

"In this division I feel stronger, with more explosive punches. With Ramirez that is not enough, with him you have to come with everything."