We have become accustomed to Deontay Wilder taking the headlines, however on this occasion, his trainer, Malik Scott, is the one taking the limelight.
It is just two weeks until WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez faces off against WBO champion Chris ‘The Gentleman’ Billam-Smith in a unification clash out in Saudi Arabia, in the next instalment of ‘Riyadh Season’.
Scott is a trainer of Ramirez and will be there on the night to assist lead trainer Julian Chau.
After suffering the first defeat of his career to Dmitry Bivol in 2022, Ramirez has since moved up from light heavyweight to pursue a career in the cruiserweight division.
Now two fights in and having picked up the WBA strap last time out against Arsen Goulamirian, ‘Zurdo’ is looking to unify and set up a potential clash against Jai Opetaia.
His opponent, ‘CBS’ is in red-hot form.
After defeating former stablemate, now turned heavyweight, Lawrence Okolie, to become WBO champion, he has since defended his title against Mateusz Masternak and Richard Riakporhe.
Significantly, the victory against Riakporhe avenged the only defeat of his career to date.
Speaking to BoxingScene, ‘Zurdo’s’ trainer Scott has dismissed claims that this fight could be a 50:50.
“I had Zurdo for his fight with Joe Smith, and he did well. No disrespect to Billam-Smith, but this fight is a mismatch.”
Scott went on to explain why he believes his fighter is far too-good for his opponent.
“Zurdo is a big, strong southpaw who’s faced tougher opponents than Billam-Smith,” Scott said. “He’s a powerful body puncher with great angles and an incredible boxing mind. Billam-Smith is big and keeps coming forward, but he’s a one-trick pony.”
He did credit Billam-Smith’s trainer, but he went on to explain how this fight will play out and what will be next in his career.
“He has a good trainer, but I think Zurdo takes over in the second half,” Scott said. “Zurdo has a dream team in his corner. I believe he’ll become undisputed champion, with Jai Opetaia as his only real challenge.”
Malik Scott believes strongly that his man will win the fight and win it in impressive style.
However, with ‘The Gentleman’ on such a significant win streak, this fight may turn out to be much tougher than he is expecting.
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