Bivol-Zurdo kickoff press conference

Bivol Zurdo Kickoff2
Photo: Matchroom Boxing/Jorge Ferrari

WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez faced off today in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for at a press conference to launch their world title showdown on November 5 at the Etihad Arena, live to subscribers worldwide on DAZN (excluding South Korea and MENA).

Dmitry Bivol: “I know he wanted this fight a long time. Me too. Now it will happen. He is a good fighter and I like challenges. I like to fight against the guy who has won 44 fights and who is bigger than me and taller than me. This is a big challenge for me. I hope it will be a great fight on November 5…I have great plans in my head, I want to be the best fighter in the world. I want to get more belts, but now I have a big fight against a good fighter. I try to be focused only on November 5.”

Zurdo Ramirez: “I’m looking forward to getting that title on November 5 to become a two-time World Champion…I think we’re going to put on a great show for all of the fans and for Abu Dhabi. It will be a great night. He is one of the greatest 175-pounders and he beat one of the greatest fighters in boxing too. Congratulations to him. I knew he would be a tough fight for Canelo. It was a great night for Bivol because he beat him by unanimous decision. It was great. What can I tell you? I’m 44 fights and 44 wins.”

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    • I was just thinking the same thing Gary. Bivol is listed at 6’0. Zurdo at 6’2.5.

    • Gary: My thoughts exactly.. WOW.. that is a huge difference.. IF Zurdo can control his weight (unlike the last fight) and work on his speed, it’s going to be a rough night for Bivol. dude brings alot of reach and power. Should be a good fight.

    • Ramirez entered the ring at 204 lbs for his previous “light heavyweight” fight against some German who only weighed 178; a 26 pound difference! It looked like a heavyweight fighting a light heavy. Zurdo knows how to beat the system!!!

  • Ramirez is a heavyweight! Bivol takes the W by majority desicion, ramirez too slow!

  • I’m excited for this fight, it’s an intriguing match up where both are possible winners. If the winner here should fight Arthur B. then we will be able to distinguish the best light heavyweight in the division. I see Ramirez winning this one but not without a fight!

  • excellent.. its very good this fight is happening.
    please forget about Canelo. if he wants, he can fight the winner. or loser…

    • Truth be told, Canelo should stay out of the LHW division. I applaud his attempt. It was a good one but He is not big enough to compete with these guys. His skill level is there BUT obviously his ego is bigger than his size. He is best at Middle and SMW. If he goes back up to LHW, I see a shortened career as he will prob eventually get hurt badly

  • Basedon this picture im going for Bivol by stoppage. Zurdo looks a little too girly in this pic.

  • Ramirez looks like he should be fighting at the cruiser weight or even heavyweight. Or it could be he just balloons up between fights.

  • WOW! The best fighting the best. Imagine that. What a novel concept. No arguments, no grand standing….simply “How much am I making? Is there an automatic rematch? Where is the contract so I can sign it?” Are you listening, Crawford? Are you listening, Spence? That whole long drawn out process has made that fight lose it’s appeal all together. It’s like being told “Dinner is ready” 10 times and then when – or in this case IF – it is served it has lost it’s zest due to the continual promise-and-delay non-sense. Bivol vs Ramirez is a very good fight. I am going with Ramirez by split decision.

  • Canelo never hurt bivol so I don’t see ramirez hurting either.Bivol a more polished boxer.I would say Bivol with a solid decision

    • Canelo never hurt Bivol because Canelo is a natural Middle weight that took a leap up to SMW and did great. It was a stretch for him to fight LHW and it showed as his power wasn’t as effective as it should have been. Ramirez is a big guy and a powerful puncher. If Bivol doesnt stay sharp, it could be an early night for him. Otherwise, I agree, Bivol outboxes him easily

  • The fluctuation in Ramirez weight between fights is going to eventually catch up to him and affect him. Bivol is a polished fighter with an outstanding pedigree. I predict that Bivol will be the last man standing in a very talented light heavyweight division. I’m going with Bivol in a clear-cut unanimous decision.

    • My good Herol…..from Montréal…..Hep I Think that you forget somebody Artur “the hearst” Beterbiev….Have a good day

  • I still think weigh-ins should be the day of fight as they were in the old days, not the previous day. That way you wouldn’t see guys like Ramirez outweighing his opponent by 26 lbs!

    • Agreed nordic. In the ammy’s, we had to weigh in the morning of and fight that night. Made it completely fair game for both fighters. Less risk of major injuries, that is for sure

  • Sorry but i wonder how Zurdo is making the weight limit ? Another Mexican who is feeded with Mexican beef ?
    Looks like a drained Cruiserweight.. Go Bivol go !

  • I originally gave Zurdo little chance but seeing how big he is and how much he blows up between fights this might play out different then I anticipated. Personally if I was managing Bivol I would request a fight night weight limit. Ramirez should not be allowed to come in 200lbs+. 190 is reasonable and every lb over a fine of 5% should be applied.

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