Dorticos is the official challenger for the World Boxing Association title. The Cuban was supposed to face the belt holder Ramirez last fall, but an agreement was reached in which Dorticos received financial compensation and guaranteed himself a fight with the winner of the Mexican's clash with Chris Billam-Smith.
The winner of the Ramirez-Dorticos fight will be eligible for a future unification bout with IBF champion Jai Opetaia. Such a bout is scheduled for the fall. Opetaia plans to return to the ring in June.