Sammy Vasquez Jr./Photo courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions

Sammy Vasquez Jr. is ranked as high as No. 8 in the world by one governing body. But it’s in the welterweight division, which is loaded with talent. The champions are Keith “One Time” Thurman, Danny Garcia, Kell Brook and Jesse Vargas and two of the contenders are Errol Spence Jr. and Shawn Porter.

Vasquez therefore knows it won’t be easy getting to the promised land that is a world championship.

“The division is loaded with great fighters,” said Vasquez, of Monessen, Pa. “With the exception of Jesse Vargas, all the champions are undefeated. The road to get to the top is very tough because everyone in the top 10 is an exceptional fighter.  I think it’s the toughest division in boxing.”

Vasquez is 21-0 with 15 knockouts. He’ll take on Felix Diaz (17-1, 8 KOs) of the Dominican Republic on July 16 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala. They will tangle underneath the heavyweight title fight between Deontay Wilder and Chris Arreola (on Fox).