Baraou had to deal with the promotional company, as it promotes Zayas. While Baraou lost by split decision in their 12-round fight for the WBA and WBO titles January 31 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Top Rank left a lasting impression on him.

Top Rank showed the feeling was mutual when it officially announced Monday it signed the Oberhausen, Germany, native to a multi-year contract. Baraou (17-2, 9 KOs) will fight for the first time under the Top Rank banner on September 11, when he’ll face Giovani Santillan in a 10-round junior middleweight bout at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California.

“I experienced firsthand how they operate when I fought in Puerto Rico,” Baraou told The Ring. “In negotiations for the fight, we had great communication. They are very professional with their work, and I was impressed by it. I grew up knowing Top Rank as well and seeing them offer it firsthand here in the U.S., it makes a lot of sense to me and I see [the] big opportunities they give their fighters and the way they work.”

Baraou, 31, was a promotional free agent after he beat Yoenis Tellez last August to become the WBA interim 154-pound champion. He was later elevated to full champion after Terence Crawford moved up to super middleweight to face Canelo Alvarez 11 months ago.

After facing Zayas (23-1, 13 KOs), The Ring’s No. 5-ranked junior middleweight, Baraou’s manager, Paul Gibson, stayed in touch with Top Rank. Once Gibson told the former WBA 154-pound titleholder of Top Rank’s interest, he was immediately on board.

“In my head, I knew I liked Top Rank, and it was a great show out there in Puerto Rico – my biggest fight so far,” Baraou said. “Everything went good, professional, and I just went home, recharged, and my manager was doing the important work in the background.

“I had Top Rank in mind. He told me they were interested, and I was like, ‘Yeah, we can go ahead with it.’ We got a great deal. I’m happy with it, and I’m happy with them as well. They’re good in the business, so that gave me a good feeling to pursue with them as well.”

Baraou is ranked No. 9 by The Ring, No. 4 by the WBA, No. 6 by the WBO and No. 11 by the WBC at 154 pounds. The stability that comes with having a promoter in place is something he believes can elevate his game to another level.

“I was always the B-side for a while,” Baraou said. “Going away to get the win and having a promoter now who has a plan for me and creates opportunities as well gives me a lot of motivation to perform even more. I feel like the world is open to me.”