The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee ratified the mandatory fight between light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and his mandatory challenger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.
After receiving a request from Bivol’s promoter Matchroom for special permission to fight Joshua Buatsi, the WBA denied such permission, so Bivol and Ramirez had until yesterday (as originally planned) to reach an agreement or the fight would go to purse bid.
“We find the ruling fair and honest considering Zurdo Ramirez has fought two elimination bouts and has been the number one contender for this fight since his victory against Sullivan Barrera in 2021,” stated Golden Boy Chairman Oscar De La Hoya. “We will continue to work hard to support Ramirez as he campaigns to one day become a two-division world champion.”
The last time a mandatory fight was held in the 175-pound division was in March 2018, so the lapse is expired for the champion and he must face the mandatory challenger as established by the rules.
It should be noted that WBA Rule C.47 dictates that “the Committee and the President, in their sole discretion, shall consider the best interests of boxing, the purposes and policies of the Association and such other factors as may be relevant, and shall use their best efforts to balance the competing interests. The WBA is not obliged to grant a request for special permission.”
I am looking forward to Bivol vs Zurdo. An interesting fight from many perspectives. I also think the outcome is hard to predict. Today I would pick Zurdo eventhough most boxing fans might lean to Bivol.
Mate, you must not have watched a lot of boxing. Do you actually know Zurdo, I mean, have you followed his career? To be fair, I’ll come here and eat my words in front of this platform after the fight if Ramirez wins.
Zurdo in 2!
Liz Cheney has a better shot at keeping her job than Zurdo does of staying undefeated.
Joshua Buatsi can fight on the undercard.
That’s a great idea.
Thank you, Bryan.
Ok. Let’s ser it
Goes to show the stupidity of the ability to request ‘special permission’ to fight outside of the mandatories. What’s the point of calling it mandatory, or having ‘elimination’ bouts if they stand for sh1t? 2 eliminations and they still tried to dodge him. Bivol is a tough nut, no-one wants a Buatsi fight, Ramirez however is a fascinating fight. If Bivol is after legacy, beating Ramirez looks a miles better on the resume. If he can. Should be fun
Buatsi might have drawn more eyeballs to the fight. Vey popular in the UK. But, the point is a good one. Rankings and earned mandatories should be respected, provided they are legitimately constructed (no promoter bribes and such). It is unfair to changes the rules on the fighters who did what was asked to earn the right for a title shot.
I think this is a result of people paying more attention to what the WBA is doing. If this were even a year ago I think that they would have granted the exception and, after that fight, Canelo would have come for his rematch in May and it would have been next October/November before Zurdo would get his shot.
Buatsi already has his back up plan because he was ordered into an eliminator with Pascal by the IBF. Maybe he’d rather fight Bivol than Beterbiev, but in any case, he’s not ranked #1 by any one and still likely to get a title shot in his next two fights. That’s not bad at all.
Excellent points.
Until, the boxing business model of moronic sanctioning bodies controlling the business is eliminated, boxing will continue to remain a laughingstock to the general public.
Bivol should win a comfortable unanimous decision.. close on scorecards but unanimous. Gilberto didn’t have much of an amateur career (25 fights I think). He’s skilled with good power but Bivol is a better fighter all around. Ramirez’ record/resume is not too deep.
Good for Ramirez.
This is actually a good betting fight. A lot of mexicans are going to be betting with their hearts on Ramirez. Ramirez is no match for Canelo and Canelo is no match for Bivol. Ramirez is too slow and Bivol too smart and stays away from punches well. He did it against Canelo easily. Ramirez does not have the fighters in his record to show otherwise.
I can turn pro and be 50-0 like Ramirez if I fought my next door neighbors and cab drivers like he did.
Dmitry Bivol Better blow this boy way. If he wants to keep his name at the top of the game, he needs a strong finish strong outing.