In a WBA light heavyweight eliminator, unbeaten Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (43-0, 29 KOs) scored a tenth round TKO over Yunieski “The Monster” Gonzalez (21-4, 17 KOs) on Saturday night at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Great toe-to-toe action between Zurdo and Gonzalez for the first four rounds. Gonzalez took a lot of flush punches but kept coming. Zurdo started backing off and boxing from the outside for a few rounds, but then turned up the heat again in round ten and got a referee’s stoppage. Time was 1:23.
“He is a great fighter. I knew he was going to be tough because he showed no fear in his eyes,” said Ramirez. “He had nothing to lose, and I knew he was going to come with everything he had. Thank you Yunieski for taking the fight. I tried to land body shots and he was prepared. So, I had to change my attacks and focus on hitting him upstairs so I could get the victory. My hand is a little hurt but that is the price you pay to win. I am ready for the next challenge, I want Bivol. He can’t run anymore, I am coming for him.”
Three-time female world champion, and current WBA minimumweight champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada (22-0, 9 KOs) scored a one-punch fourth round KO over previously unbeaten Maria “La Imparable” Santizo (9-1, 5 KOs). Estrada dropped Santizo twice in round three and finished her with a big left hook in round four.
WBO #4, WBA #10 super featherweight Lamont Roach, Jr. (22-1-1, 9 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over former world champion and currently WBA #6 rated Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (32-11, 21 KOs) to win the vacant NABA title. 100-90, 98-92, 98-92.
WBC female flyweight champion Marlen Esparza moved to 11-1, 1 KO with a ten round unanimous decision over former WBA champion Anabel “Avispa” Ortiz (31-5, 4 KOs). Scores were 100-88, 95-94, 99-90. Esparza credited with two dubious knockdowns.
In a clash of undefeated featherweights, Victor Morales (15-0-1, 8 KOs) and Rudy Garcia (12-0-1, 2 KOs) battled to a ten round draw. Scores were 96-94 Morales, 97-93 Garcia, 95-95.
Rugged welterweight Rusian Madiyev (14-2, 5 KOs) pounded on Luis Hernandez (21-2, 19 KOs) over ten rounds. Scores were 99-91, 99-91, 98-92.
NABF welterweight champion Raul Curiel (11-0, 9 KOs) scored a seventh round KO over local hero Kendo Castaneda (17-5, 8 KOs). Curiel dropped Castaneda in round three and finished him with a body shot in round seven. Time was 1:20. Five straight losses for Kendo.
Unbeaten bantamweight John “Scrappy” Ramirez (8-0, 7 KOs) stopped late sub Miguel Rebullosa (4-13, 5 KOs) in round two. Three knockdowns for Scrappy. Time was 2:21.
Lightweight Nick Sullivan (5-0, 1 KO) outpointed Erick Benitez (2-2, 1 KO) over four 39-37 3x.
Hitchins – Hawkins was on the Minneapolis card. Hitchins looked excellent btw. But that body shot Curiel stopped Kendo Castaneda with was gruesome!
Interesting…I will keep an eye on Hitchins. I will see if Hitchins develops at least a sharp/stinging punch. I will see how Hitchins later reacts against an opponent with decent/good pop, high punch output and solid pressure skills. In addition, I want to see if Hitchins develops his jab to an opponent’s gut.
As for now, Hitchins has promising rhythm, and apparently, he is a big fan of FMJ’s boxing style. FMJ may have found his “mini me,” but we will see in due time.
Tonight is why I laugh at all the casual Zurdo fanboys who actually say he is a threat to Bivol,
and that the Russian is ducking him. It took 3
rounds for Gvozdyk to decapitate Gonzalez and
I’m sure Bivol would have had him out of there quicker than 10. Zurdo is no big puncher and a mediocre boxer as well. He’s mandatory for Bivol next, but he has little to no chance against the skillful Russian, from what I saw tonight.
Spot on.
Why does this guy never fight big named opponents? Is he purposely avoiding people to stack his record or avoided like the plague?
Good stoppage. Loved the hug Yunieski gave the referee after the fight was halted.
And Zurdo has already beaten Vlasov, Hart and Barrera, and they are all currently ranked top 10. Vlasov schooled Joe Smith Jr, ranked number 4, but was robbed. So I don’t agree with what you’re writing.
But I think he should have challenged the top 3 long time ago, I think he should have gone after all the belts many years ago, so if that is what you meant I agree.
Wasted years! This is bad for the sport, the Light heavyweight and this is a true bad for Zurdo himself.
I think Zurdo would have been razor-sharp today if he had faced the best and most competitive fighters over the years. Definitely a top 10 p4p fighter.
I think for sure even todays Zurdo would beat Joe Smith Jr, Dmitry Bivol and Marcus Browne. Callum Smith would be tough but I think Zurdo finally would manage. A fully prepared and trained Beterbiev is probably his greatest challenge today. But honestly, Beterbiev is slowly fading so todays Zurdo might already be the best even though belts are missing.
Wow, the NABE is really like the Jim Jones cult ain’t it. There’s really no talking to people who make acenine statements like this. Zurdo, top 10 p4p.
Sure thing bud, and Brittany Spears is the greatest singer ever.
Perhaps you didn´t read carefully. He´s not today for sure. But I think he could have been according to above. You are waving with Jim Jones and Brittany Spears. Sorry, says more about you than anything else.
I like to have boxing news
At this stage, zurdo has faced descent opposition. He has a few fights left to go with the big names. Looking at Beterbievs performance, one or two more years and zurdo runs thru him. He shld focus on on smith jr, then a tune up, then Bivol, then a tune up, then 2023/2024 Beterbiev. Fight a couple more times and beat mayweathers record and retire so we can hear the last of Mayweathers boast about it
Really?! All that from beating a fighter Gvozdyk smoked with ease years ago, and Zurdo struggled with for a bit and stopped very late? Alright, well…wow:(
I want to see Ramirez vs. Joe Smith, Jr. If Ramirez looks good with a victory and no Canelo $$ opportunity, then put Ramirez in there against Bivol. IF-IF Ramirez defeats Bivol and still no $$$ word from Canelo, then let Ramirez seek glory against Beterbiev.
I do not have patience for Ramirez defeating Browne and/or defeating Callum Smith. Time for Ramirez to get a belt from Smith, Jr. and step to the big dogs at 175 (Bivol & Beterbiev).
This fight was an old school brawl. Gonzalez was out on his feet several times but still fired back. With that said, I thought that was a good stoppage, could have been stopped even sooner.