Ramirez undergoes surgery on left hand, will not fight until 2020

Unified junior welterweight world titleholder Jose Ramirez will miss the rest of the year after undergoing surgery for a left hand injury.

Ramirez had surgery on his hand last month, just weeks after he knocked out Maurice Hooker in the sixth round to unify two 140-pound belts on July 27 in Arlington, Texas.

Ramirez (25-0, 17 KO’s), 27, of Avenal, California, was slated to return for a mandatory defense against former world champion Viktor Postol (31-2, 12 KO’s), 35, of Ukraine, on Nov. 30 on ESPN+ at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.

However, Ramirez announced on social media Wednesday night that his injury would keep him on the shelf until next year.

"I can't use [my hand] until 6-8 weeks post surgery," Ramirez said. "I could be back in the ring in December, however due to no dates available that month we will be back in the ring early 2020. I just need my hand to heal and I'll give anybody a run for their money."

Ramirez has made three defenses of his world title since outpointing Amir Imam for the vacant world title in March 2018. He has defeated the likes of Antonio Orozco, Jose Zepeda, and Hooker, his most impressive victory to date.

Ramirez has expressed interest in fighting the winner of the two-belt unification bout between Regis Prograis and Josh Taylor, who square off Oct. 26 at The O2 Arena in London in the final of the World Boxing Super Series tournament.