Jose Pedraza didn’t need any more motivation heading into a fight with an undefeated opponent.

Still, the former two-division champ entered his junior welterweight clash with Julian Rodriguez with a clear goal in mind—live up to the standards established by the division’s top two rated fighters. Josh Taylor edged out Jose Ramirez in their undisputed 140-pound championship just three weeks prior at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, the same venue that hosted Pedraza’s 8th round stoppage of Rodriguez earlier this month.

“I thought Taylor-Ramirez was a great fight, an exciting fight—one of those fights where it made me want to get right in the gym as soon as I was done watching it,” Pedraza told BoxingScene.com. “Watching it reminded me of the prize I am pursuing and how wins like (the one over Rodriguez) put me one step closer.”

Pedraza overcame a bit of a slow start to eventually dictate the pace versus Rodriguez, a previously unbeaten prospect from Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. A six-year age difference meant little once the 32-year-old Pedraza found his stride, outclassing the 26-year-old Rodriguez and eventually causing his left eye to swell shut. The injury forced Rodriguez’s corner to inform referee Kenny Bayless that their fighter was no longer able to continue.

The turn of events leaves Pedraza (29-3, 14KOs) with a three-fight win streak as he continues to develop as a formidable junior welterweight contender. The line is a lengthy one to get to the divisional championship, with Scotland’s Taylor (18-0, 13KOs) armed with mandatory title defenses.

Among those awaiting a shot is Jose Zepeda, the last fighter to hang a loss on the career of Pedraza. The general sense among most of the top contenders is that the best bet a title shot will come once the belts are once again splintered. For Pedraza, the desired path for the former junior lightweight and lightweight titlist is to gun for the very best—both for the title and on the road to such an opportunity.

“I will continue to fight anyone they put in front of me in order to earn my chance to become a three division champion,” insists Pedraza. “I am willing to do whatever it takes in the ring in order to get to Josh Taylor or whoever is the champion when my time comes.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox