The company founded by legendary promoter Bob Arum announced the deal Monday. Baraou, an Oberhausen, Germany, native, will return to the ring against Giovani Santillan in a 10-round junior middleweight bout September 11, when they’ll headline a ProBox card at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California.

“Signing with Top Rank is a huge step in my career,” Baraou said in a press release. “I’ve always believed I belong on the biggest stage, and now I have the right team behind me to chase the biggest fights in boxing.

“Top Rank has a history of building champions, and I’m proud to join that legacy. I’m grateful for this opportunity, but this is only the beginning. My goal is clear: become world champion again.”

Baraou (17-2, 9 KOs) fought on a Top Rank card in his last fight, a 12-round, split-decision defeat to then-WBO champion Xander Zayas (23-1, 13 KOs) in a unification bout on January 31 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Zayas lost his WBA and WBO belts to Jaron “Boots” Ennis, who stopped him in the seventh round of their June 27 bout at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Baraou, 31, won the WBA interim 154-pound title thanks to a unanimous-decision victory over Yoenis Tellez on August 23 in Orlando, Florida. After Terence Crawford vacated the WBA 154-pound title before his 168-pound championship clash with Canelo Alvarez on September 13, Baraou was elevated to full champion.

Baraou is The Ring’s No. 9-ranked junior middleweight contender for a vacant championship. He is also ranked No. 4 by the WBA, No. 6 by the WBO and No. 11 by the WBC.