Jose “Sniper Pedraza is preparing for his upcoming fight on March 4, against former unified champion Jose Ramirez, as if he were going to challenge for a world title.

The Puerto Rican boxer is convinced that he needs this type of mentality, since he understands that a victory over the Californian will surely catapult him in the direction of a world title shot at 140 pounds.

Pedraza, a two division world champion, will enter the fight riding a three-fight win streak, while Ramirez is looking to bounce back from a May 2021 decision loss to Josh Taylor in their full division unification clash.

“It is an important fight since Ramirez was recently a world champion. Beating him is like him beating the world champion. That would put me higher in the rankings and I see it that way,” Pedraza (29-3, 14 KOs) told Carlos Gonzalez.

“I view Ramirez as if he were the world champion with the opportunity being that the next fight would be for the titles. I wouldn't say it's a fight that would define my career, but it is important because [Ramirez] was a world champion and an excellent boxer. An opportunity [to fight for a title] will depend on what happens on March 4."

Pedraza is currently ranked fourth under the World Boxing Organization (WBO). Meanwhile, Ramirez is ranked at number one under the World Boxing Council (WBC).

Ramirez is eager for revenge against Taylor.

“It's normal that after his first loss he's thinking about Taylor, but it's also bad because he has to focus on the fighter he has in front of him before getting a possible rematch. I am concentrating on Ramírez, it is an extremely important fight," Ramirez replied.