Two main title fights grace Golden Boy’s ‘Latino Evening’ throughout Riyadh Season.
As beforehand reported by The Ring, Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (46-1, 30 knockouts) and Chris Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KOs) collide in a WBA/WBO cruiserweight unification bout. 4 extra fights had been revealed for the Nov. 16 present in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Additionally on the cardboard is a beforehand budgeted primary occasion that now turns into a powerful supporting forged member. Former WBC/WBO 140-pound titlist Jose Ramirez (29-1, 18 KOs) faces unbeaten contender Arnold Barboza (30-0, 11 KOs).
Undefeated light-weight contender William Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) takes on one other southpaw in Tevin Farmer (33-6-1, 8 KOs). The struggle is undoubtedly to organize for a title shot versus Shakur Stevenson early subsequent yr.
The night’s different title struggle pits unbeaten WBO strawweight beltholder Oscar Collazo (10-0, 7 KOs) versus Edwin Cano (13-2-1, 4 KOs).
WBA No. 1 140-pound contender Kenneth Sims Jr. (21-2-1, 8 KOs) lands the fifth slot on the present versus Mexico’s Oscar Duarte (27-2-1, 22 KOs).
“We’re trying ahead to staging our first occasion as a part of our partnership with Golden Boy Promotions with Latino Nigh,” said Turki Alalshikh, head of Saudi Arabia’s Normal Leisure Authority. “This card options a few of the finest Latino fighters round and continues our drive to ship top-tier boxing occasions by giving followers all through the world the fights they wish to see.”
Added Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy chairman and CEO: “His Excellency and I’ve the very same imaginative and prescient — to match one of the best versus one of the best for the followers of our sport.
“This present will function all the pieces nice that boxing has to supply.”
Ramirez will try the primary protection of the title he claimed earlier this yr. The previous WBO tremendous middleweight titlist dethroned unbeaten Arsen Goulamirian on March 30 in Inglewood, California. It was ok to see Ramirez finally land at No. 3 in The Ring cruiserweight rankings.
“I’m excited to make this struggle occur with Chris Billam-Smith,” said Ramirez. It’s been a very long time coming, and I’m trying ahead to turning into the unified champion on this division. I’ve all the time mentioned this was my division, and I’m completely happy for the chance to showcase my abilities at this degree on a world stage in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“Moreover, I hope to be the bridge between Mexico and Saudi Arabia, making each side proud. I want to give a particular because of my group, 3 Level Administration, Golden Boy Promotions, Riyadh Season, the WBA, WBO, and everybody else concerned in making this occur.”
Billam-Smith is rated No. 1 at cruiserweight. He’s earned that proper after his upset win over Lawrence Okolie final Might 27 and two subsequent title defenses. His run additionally inclides a win over Richard Riakporhe in June to avenge his lone profession defeat.
The location of the struggle opens the door for each fighters. RING/IBF champ Jai Opetaia can also be an energetic member of the Riyadh Season boxing sequence. The unbeaten Sydney, Australia native will make his third look on that circuit on Oct. 12.
“Riyadh Season continues to ship one of the best matches on the prime of the game,” mentioned BOXXER founder Ben Shalom, Billam-Smith’s promoter. “We’re delighted to be working with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions to current one other epic struggle as co-promoters of this large cruiserweight world title unification battle.
“Gilberto Ramirez is a superb champion however Chris Billam-Smith will probably be coming filled with confidence and able to unify the division.”
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