No other young fighter is fighting the type of competition that Ramos is facing defeating Brian Mendoza, and former 2008 U.S. Olympian Javier Molina. At only 20-years-old, Ramos Jr. is looking to become a world champion next year, which makes him ripe for the award. 

I would have liked to see Ramos a tad bit more active, but his two bouts were meaningful, and both on good spots, one of which being the TV opener for Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Chris Arreola which was a pay-per-view as well as headlining a FOX card before the first week of Football in America. 

Ramos is not unlike David Benavidez in which, you often forget how young he is based around his performances, and in many ways is similar to the other notable prospect of the Xander Zayas, as they’re both big for their weight classes, and both moved from welterweight to junior middleweight in this calendar year. I think it is safe to say that the two will probably face each other at some point as that seems like an organic big money fight if the two continue to be the superstars they are.

Ramos is doing something not a lot of fighters are doing – which is fighting dangerous fighters at a very early age and I am sure it comes as no surprise that he spent time training with Terence Crawford, over the past couple of years as well.

Next year should be a big year for Jesus Ramos.

Honorable Mention:

Jared Anderson – “The Real Big Baby” is knocking out everyone in the heavyweight division and is already nearing a ten-round fighter. A lot to like about one of the best offensive heavyweights in recent memory.

Nahir Albright – “Woo” Albright picked up good regional wins this year as he now looks to be a guy in his division moving forward defeating the tough Jeremy Hill and Thompson Boxing Promotions’ Michael Dutchover. The Philly-fighter promoted by Rodney Rice’s RDR Promotions, is someone who ascending on the club-and-regional scene, but looks the part of a major network television fighter.

Xander Zayas – Zayas was the most active of all these three and one could make a case that of three, he could have the highest ceiling, yet at only 19-years-old, fighting six-times in one-year, Zayas still has plenty of time to win this award, and more than likely, not unlike his last few bouts his competition has been improving. With good fighters like Zayas it is just a waiting game for the meaningful and culturally impacting fights.