Jose Pedraza Considering Eventual Move To Junior Welterweight

Jose Pedraza rebounded from a loss to Vasiliy Lomachenko with an impressive performance on ESPN and is now ready to fight for another world title.

After winning the WBO Latino lightweight title with a stoppage win against Antonio Lozada Jr., Pedraza was interviewed by ESPN and asked what his future could look like. One thing that Pedraza is sure of is that he wants to be a world champion once again and is motivated to become a two-time lightweight titleholder. However, Pedraza has also said he would be interested in fighting at junior welterweight down the line. 

“I would like to be world champion again at 135, maybe make a title defense and then move up to 140,” Pedraza said. “Lozada was a tough opponent who came to fight with all of his heart. He was a great test for me, and I passed it with flying colors. I can’t wait to see what is next.”

This wouldn’t be the first time Pedraza moved up in weight after losing a title bout. Back in 2016, Pedraza lost his IBF super featherweight title when he was stopped by Gervonta Davis and then moved up in weight to compete at lightweight, which resulted in him eventually winning the WBO 130-pound title last August. Pedraza’s time as the WBO champion came to an end last December when he lost a title unification against Lomachenko.

Although Pedraza’s goal is to win another lightweight title, those opportunities are limited at this moment. Lomachenko holds the WBA and WBO titles and will likely be facing Luke Campbell for the WBC title later this year. That would leave IBF champion Richard Commey, but Pedraza is currently not ranked by the IBF.