WBA/ WBO cruiserweight titleholder Gilberto Ramirez is targeting a late May return against his WBA mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticos.

Ramirez, rated at No. 1 by The Ring at cruiserweight, welcomes the showdown the Cuban, who previously held the IBF and WBA titles in the weight class.

"I'm ready for him," Ramirez (47-1, 30 knockouts) told The Ring. "It has to happen and after I will go for another title. This one will probably be at the end of May. I don't know yet where it will be, but I hope it could be here in L.A. or [my hometown] Mazatlán.

"I think he's a strong guy, he has a lot of experience, he's shared the ring with a lot of good fighters but he's nothing like Zurdo."

The 33-year-old southpaw took some time off after his win over Chris Billam-Smith and went on vacation but stayed in shape whilst away.

"I went to Thailand and Dubai; my family was there too," he said. "I was training there. I like to train anywhere I go. I did Muay Thai [in Thailand.]"

There were question marks about how Ramirez would do at cruiserweight but has quietened those with impressive showings over Arsen Goulamirian (UD 12) and, most recently, Billam-Smith (UD 12).

"Yeah, I feel great," he said after struggling to make 168, where he held the WBO title and then 175-pounds where he lost his unbeaten record to Dmitry Bivol. "This is my weight division. People thought I small but I'm a big boy - strong.

"I'm trying to put on a little more weight and be stronger. I'm ready for this division and I feel happy about that."

Then he intends to turn his attention to Ring/ IBF titlist Jai Opetaia, in what would be an eagerly anticipated showdown or current WBC incumbent Badou Jack.

"That's the fight, I'm looking for, he has one belt [IBF], I'm looking for the belts, I'm looking at [WBC titleholder] Badou Jack," he said. "Anyone who has a belt because I want to become undisputed. I want the Ring championship belt. It would be a good year from myself."