WBA cruiserweight world champion Gilberto Ramirez returns to the ring next Saturday when he faces WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith in an unification clash on the next installment of ‘Riyadh Season’. His promoter, Golden Boy’s Oscar De La Hoya has claimed that by the end of his career, he will go down as one of the greatest men to entire the sport of boxing.
Ramirez’s only defeat of his career to date came in 2022 against Dmitry Bivol, however this was at super-middleweight.
The Mexican has since moved up to cruiserweight, picking up two wide point decision victories, including a triumph over Arsen Goulamirian back in March when he claimed his WBA strap.
His opponent, ‘CBS’, is in red-hot form and will be looking to produce another upset victory – something he has done continuously over his career.
The Bournemouth-born sensation, became world champion by defeating former stablemate Lawrence Okolie at the stadium of his beloved A.F.C Bournemouth back in 2023.
He has since gone on to claim wins over Mateusz Masternak and Richard Riakporhe.
Ramirez has been very outspoken about where he wants to get to in his career, notably he has mentioned the name Oleksandr Usyk as a potential opponent.
His promoter, De La Hoya, speaking to DAZN’s The Roundtable has suggested that a fight with the current three-belt heavyweight champion, could put him amongst the greats.
“I’m excited not because of him unifying, but because of the fact Zurdo is talking about Usyk, and Usyk coming back down to cruiserweight.”
“That’s pretty exciting. He doesn’t like to show off what he’s accomplished. But when all is said and done, I think we’re going to call him one of the all-time greats.
“If he unifies this title, then imagine him fighting Usyk. If something miraculous happens and he beats him, then you have a legendary fighter.”
Ramirez has said that he is happy to fight at any weight to make the fight with Uysk.
Usyk returns on December 21st in his rematch against Tyson Fury out in Saudi Arabia, on the final ‘Riyadh Season’ card of the year.
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