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Although he was unable to medal for Team USA at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Jose Ramirez still has future star written all over him. As an unbeaten junior welterweight under the Top Rank banner, the boxing world is coming to terms with Ramirez’s crossover appeal. And as he prepares to close out a solid 2014 with a fifth fight against David Rodela (17-9-3), the 22-year-old prospect is already making plans for a breakout 2015 campaign.

On Saturday, Ramirez (11-0, 8 knockouts) will face Rodela in front of 7,000 fans in his hometown of Fresno as the headliner of the “Fight For Water 3” card at the Selland Arena. It isn’t just a showcase of Ramirez’ boxing prowess, the UniMas-televised card is also an effort to get those in attendance to vote “Yes” on Proposition 43 – a proposed $11.1 billion bond for California’s water system.

“We are promoting California’s water problem through boxing and I’ve dedicated myself to staying on top of what is going on,” said Ramirez, who recently went to the capital building with the Latino Water Coalition to help deliver the message. “The ongoing water problem has been affecting us as there isn’t enough water for the crops, the prices on groceries are going up and people are having trouble finding jobs because of the dry weather this year. It affects everyone and my job for the last year and a half is delivering the message.”

While it is commendable that Ramirez has taken it upon himself to handle community issues such as this, his other “job” is one that he has handled quite well. Coming off of an impressive eight-round scorecard sweep against Alfred Romero in August, Ramirez has shown great improvement on the technical side of his craft. Romero marked the first time Ramirez has gone past five rounds in his professional career and the young fighter passed that test with flying colors.

“I think I could have taken him out,” Ramirez says as he reflects on that fight. “I was never in trouble but I wanted to go all eight rounds. It was good to be busy for all eight rounds. But now I feel like stepping up to the next level.”

Rodela is certainly the most experienced opponent that Ramirez has faced. His resume is checkered with names such as Terence Crawford and Jorge Linares and, although he came up short in both of those fights, he will be bringing experience that Ramirez has yet to face.

“He went eight rounds with Linares so that shows you he has some experience,” Ramirez says. “I’m fighting a guy who knows how to box and will use his experience against good competition against me in the ring. It’s up to me to adjust and find a way to win.”

This particular training camp found Ramirez spending a lot of time at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California, under the watchful eyes of Freddie Roach and Marvin Somodio. Ramirez says that his time at Wild Card has helped him become a more technically sound fighter who is able to adjust better on the fly.

“I’ve been sparring different styles and I’m learning how to adjust and become a more technical fighter instead of a fighter who throws wild punches. I’ve been working on being patient and pace myself. I’m still going to be aggressive but you’ll see a more technical side to my style.”

With this being his 12^th fight in a little over two years, Ramirez says he’s ready to take it to the next level in 2015.

“Next year I’m looking forward to fight four or five fights but I definitely want a step up in competition,” he says. “It’s already my 12^th fight and I really want to fight for a world title by my 20^th fight.”