LOS ANGELES – Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and Chris “The Gentleman” Billam-Smith had a cordial introductory press convention on Wednesday at The Mayan to announce their cruiserweight title unification conflict.
Though pleasant and nice, Ramirez (46-1, 30 KOs) and Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KOs) each boasted large guarantees as they ready to headline the Golden Boy Promotions “Latino Night time” occasion on November 16 in Saudi Arabia.
“That is my division. I do not suppose he has any benefits over me. I am the very best cruiserweight,” mentioned Ramirez, the WBA titleholder. “I am actually enthusiastic about this chance. I will grow to be the primary Mexican unified cruiserweight champion. It is thrilling, as a result of my dream will come true. I have been placing in numerous onerous work with my coaching.”
Ramirez, a former 168-pound titleholder from 2016 to 2018, has bounced again admirably because the final time he fought within the Center East, struggling the primary lack of his profession to gentle heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol in 2022.
Final October, Ramirez moved as much as cruiserweight and scored a unanimous resolution win towards Joe Smith Jr. In March, Ramirez beat Arsen Goulamirian unanimously to win the WBA cruiserweight title.
Earlier than the combat, Billam-Smith, the WBO crownholder, messaged Ramirez encouraging him to beat Goulamirian to stage the extra marketable matchup.
“I wanted him good luck for the Goulamirian combat. I rooted for him that night time. It was a fantastic efficiency from Zurdo,” mentioned Billam-Smith. “I am a unique fighter and am higher than Goulamirian in lots of areas. My velocity and depth at this weight causes numerous cruiserweights numerous issues. I will get to show it once more versus Ramirez.
“Stylistically, it makes for a unbelievable combat. We’d respect one another now however on combat night time it will likely be a combat you do not wish to miss. That type of combat actually excites me.”
The career-long cruiserweight Billam-Smith, 34, can be preventing outdoors UK soil for the primary time in his seven-year marketing campaign. Billam-Smith grew to become a first-time world titleholder final yr by beating reigning champion Lawrence Okolie through unanimous division. In December, he efficiently defended the title towards Mateusz Masternak and avenged a 2019 cut up resolution loss to Richard Riakporhe in June.
“This title unification alternative for me is big,” mentioned Billam-Smith. “I have been written off many occasions earlier than. Final trip [against Riakporhe], I used to be going into his yard and it was all about him. It was imagined to be his night time and I spoiled the get together. Sadly for the Latinos on November 16, I will be doing precisely the identical once more. All respect.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports activities journalist, author and broadcast reporter whose work has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports activities, USA Immediately, The Guardian, Newsweek, Males’s Well being, NFL.com, Los Angeles Instances, Philadelphia Inquirer, Ring Journal and extra. He has been writing for BoxingScene since 2018. Manouk is a member of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America and the MMA Journalists Affiliation. He might be reached on X (previously Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, by electronic mail at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or through www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
