After twice turning down a world title shot - first to challenge for the vacant WBC title and then to fight Regis Prograis for the same belt - Jose Carlos is ready to go for plan B.

"There's frustration because for many [fans] and for [Prograis] I'm ducking... but let them educate themselves, let them learn the business because if I fight him it will cost me money. If we're going to do 50 percent of a bigger pie coming [from me] for ESPN, it's better than doing 65 percent of a very small pie. It's common sense. But I can't push the guy to ask those questions. He should be advised properly," explained the 30-year-old fighter in an interview with DAZN, who is willing to pass on the opportunity to be crowned in search of a much fairer payday, knowing that eventually, the belts will be back in his hands.

"There's Teofimo [Lopez] and if Teofimo is looking at 'hey, man, are you ready to fight on March 25, I've got a date. If you're ready for April, we'll find a new date and we could fight in NY if you want," he offered.

The last time he stepped into the ring was in March, in a fight in which he beat former champion Jose Pedraza by unanimous decision and then put his career on hold, as he had a promise to keep.

Engaged to Marisol since 2019, the pandemic had delayed their wedding plans and the world championship fight was in danger of falling right on the October date , he made the decision.

"Everything together was too much to focus on. I had to decide. I promised that and I think I made the right decision. I'm a man [of my word] and family. My family comes before sport. I'm sorry if I disappointed some people. It was a tough decision, but I've been world champion, unified and I've fought for all four belts and on the other side I'm only getting married once. I know I can be world champion three or four times in my career and I'm still too young to dedicate my remaining years to it."

Taylor's stake and offers of new blood

Jose Carlos' priorities are clear and although at the top of his list to Santa are Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney, he knows there is still a score to be settled with Josh Taylor, who he considers the best in the division.

"Patience is a virtue and I feel the best fights are yet to come as 140 is getting interesting. Haney will move to 140, Ryan Garcia is already there, Teofimo is at 140, Josh Taylor is holding there and there are a lot of fights that can be made. Believe me or not, I want to fight Taylor. I want that rematch because I have a stake in my heart, I learned a lot in that fight... But I think fighting Haney or Teofimo will do more for my career, for what they bring to the table, for the exposure," he explained.

Ramirez, a 30-year-old veteran who has been in boxing since he was eight, said one thing that gives him an advantage over these young media figures is the amateur pedigree, which many of them overlooked. That pedigree gives him an edge they won't be able to withstand.

He continued: "It's always Devin Haney, Teofimo and Ryan Garcia, or Tank... it's always those four guys. But they don't fight, they just use each others' names. I feel like I'm the one who can and will destroy their plans, that's very interesting to me and it excites me because I know I'm stronger than those guys and I have a lot of experience. They say a lot of shit to each other, they have a lot of followers and they just use each others' names but never fight. I'm willing to break in."