Ramiro Cesena has added some industry muscle to help advance his career from prospect to budding contender.

krikya360.com has confirmed that the 22-year-old junior lightweight from Baja California, Mexico has signed with Shapiro Sports & Entertainment and Legacy Sports Management.

“I couldn’t be more excited about signing with Shapiro Sports &; Legacy,” Cesena told krikya360.com of the move. “They have a great team that will get me the bigger fights that I have been missing.”

Cesena (14-0, 11KOs) spent his first three years as a pro exclusively in Mexico before first connecting with Legacy Sports Management, headed by Karim Akkar. Cesena appeared on the undercard of an August 13 show featuring former junior middleweight champion Austin Trout, with the undefeated rising prospect claiming an eight-round, majority decision win over fellow unbeaten Bekman Soylybayev.

The same arrangement is in place for Cesena’s next fight, which will consummate the deal with Legacy and Shapiro. Cesena will appear on the March 26 card in Dubai topped by the surprising ring return of former welterweight titlist Marcos Maidana.

“I am delighted to welcome Ramiro to the team,” Akkar told krikya360.com. “We’ve had the pleasure of having Ramiro on one of our previous shows in Dubai and he showed me he has the potential to become World Champion with our guidance. We look forward to his journey continuing in 2022 and beyond, and Ramiro rising to all challenges we put in front of him.”

In also bringing aboard Shane Shapiro—head of Shapiro Sports & Entertainment—Cesena joins a growing list of impressive talent. Currently under guidance of the Los Angeles-based promoter are: prodigious junior middleweight Yoelvis Gomez (5-0, 5KOs), 2016 Cuban Olympian and current heavyweight prospect Lenier Pero (6-0, 3KOs); and—in a co-promotional capacity—current IBF junior featherweight mandatory challenger Marlon Tapales.

“I am excited to bring Ramiro Cesena into the family,” Shapiro told krikya360.com. “At only 22 years of age, Ramiro has some great wins on his resume and he always shows the hallmarks of the classic Mexican fighters that we all love to watch – grit, determination, heart and the appetite for a war.

“I am ready to deliver him the life changing opportunities here in the USA that all Mexican fighters seem to be built for.”

Cesena has just completed his fourth year as a pro, having made his debut in February 2018 at just 18 years of age. Year five will begin with his March 26 showcase slot versus Tanzania’s Adam Kipenga (11-2-1, 7KOs), though with his sights set much higher for the rest of 2022 and beyond.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my country of Mexico, climb the rankings and prove I am here to stay,” vows Cesena. “Hopefully I can fight Robson Conceicao, Jamel Herring or any of the top names in my weight class.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for krikya360.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox