By Miguel Maravilla
Former world champion and undefeated Mexican light heavyweight Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) of Mazatlan, Mexico looks to become a two-division world champion as goes up against undefeated WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitrii Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) of Russia. Ramirez will get his shot at Bivol’s title on Saturday, November 5 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE live on DAZN.
“It’s an exciting fight for me and all of boxing. I am very grateful to be able to take this fight against Bivol, especially since I am very ready for this. The entire world will see Zurdo Ramirez and all the potential I have,” Zurdo Ramirez told Fightnews.com®. “This is an important opportunity fighting for a world title. I have been wanting this fight for the longest time and I’m very excited,” Ramirez added.
What has become the latest trend of major boxing fights held in the Middle East, Andy Ruiz Jr Anthony Joshua rematch in Saudi Arabia, Oleksandr Usyk Anthony Joshua Rematch in Jeddah, and now with Zurdo vs. Bivol, Ramirez talked about fighting in the UAE for the first time.
“At the end of the day, it’s just going to be me, him [Dmitry Bivol] and the referee inside of the ring. A new experience for me. I’m happy but in the ring it’s just me and him. It’s a beautiful country and I had a fun time at the press conference,” Zurdo on fighting in Abu Dhabi.
Undefeated in his campaign, Ramirez slowly rose-up the rankings at super middleweight for his impressive boxing ability and height as he fought under the Top Rank banner. Winning his first world title in 2016, Ramirez won a unanimous decision over Arthur Abraham in capturing the WBO super middleweight title. Successfully defending his title five times, Zurdo moved up to light heavyweight in 2020.
Promoting his own card in Galveston, Texas, Zurdo stopped Alfonso Lopez in ten rounds. Following that fight, Ramirez signed a promotional deal with Golden Boy Promotions last year. Scoring a pair of knockouts against respected former world title challengers Sullivan Barrera in July and closing out the year stopping Yuniesky Gonzalez. Since those victories last year, Zurdo has been calling out and asking for the fight with Dmitry Bivol, “I want you Bivol.”
“Since being with Golden Boy Promotions. Things have been great and now we are ready for this big fight,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez is coming off a fourth-round annihilation of Dominic Boesel this past May, the week after Bivol’s victory over Zurdo’s fellow countrymen Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Bivol, a product of the Russian amateur program and world champion since 2007, won a very convincing unanimous decision over Canelo in his last fight as he outboxed and outworked the Mexican superstar on Cinco de Mayo weekend.
“Bivol has a great style, his footwork is good he is always moving, and has a good jab,” Zurdo on Bivol. “This will be a different fight, from how he fought Canelo. Every style is different, but he won’t do with me, what he did with Canelo,”
It’s no secret that Mexican boxing fans are loyal to their fighters with a passion. Most see this as an opportunity for Zurdo to avenge Canelo and the Mexican boxing fan. Ramirez admits he was sad when Bivol defeated Canelo. Say what you want but that opened the door for the opportunity and fight Zurdo has coveted since moving up to light heavyweight.
“It was sad to see him lose. We wanted to see him win but Bivol did what he had to do. However, the result turned out in my favor. Everyone got to see what Bivol is about and now will see what I’m about. Zurdo is here to avenge that victory,”
Interestingly, Zurdo and Bivol shared the stable and served as sparring partners. It is rumored that Ramirez got the better of the sessions as he apparently knocked down Bivol during the sparring.
“We sparred together a while back and it was good work. We benefited from each other. Now here we are,” Zurdo on sparring with Bivol. “It wasn’t a knockdown, I never knocked him down but there was where good rounds of work and sparring,”
Throughout his gradual rise in his career, Zurdo appeared to be overshadowed by fellow Mexican Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s popularity. As Canelo was making waves and already a world champion in 2013, that’s when I first came across a very tall, skilled, up-and-coming super middleweight wiping out the sparring at a gym. I was told the kid would be champion some day as some of sparring partners he was giving fits were already seasoned pros or highly touted prospects coming off the 2012 Olympics.
“I have worked hard to be in this position. The doors have finally opened, and this fight represents a great opportunity,” Zurdo said.
In what will be Zurdo’s biggest moment and stage taking on Bivol, the Mexican hopes to land his moment of truth. This fight represents a potential opportunity for Zurdo to now become Mexico’s face of boxing and superstar. Zurdo’s preparation for Bivol is now underway in North Hollywood, California as he will be making his way to Abu Dhabi a few weeks prior to the fight.
“My camp is underway; I have been training and I will head out to Abu Dhabi two weeks before the fight. The climate is different it’s kind of like my hometown of Mazatlan. It’s just a matter of getting accustomed to the time change,” Zurdo on his preparation.
A win here for Zurdo will catapult Ramirez to be Mexico’s next star.
“I’m confident that I will win,” Zurdo vowed. “Don’t miss it Nov. 5th I will become a two-time world champion. Mexico will have a new world champion,” Zurdo concluded.
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I’m confident that Zurdo will come I’m at least 20 lbs heavier than Bivol. Not sure how he does it, but Zurdo will somehow make weight, and then enter the ring as a heavyweight. Just look at the size difference at the press conference. Very bizarre!
Size dont mean shit if you are coming into the fight fat, if he is fat he is to slow and Bivol gets the early KO over the mexi”can”.
If not then Zurdo in 12.
Even is the boxer is fat the size matters in some cases
I was just about to say that. Zurdo looked huge next to Bivol. I’m damn curious to see what effect, if any, that has on the fight.
Just as Bivol did next to Canelo? Some people are hypocrites… Nelo is 5’7” walks around 175lbs and Bivol 6’1” walks around 195lbs so yes Zurdo is 6’3” walks around 200lbs so what? Fight night both Bivol and Zurdo will almost be the same weight unlike Nelo and Bivol…
Oh I’m not saying it’s unfair. It all works for me. If Zurdo can make 175 and then walks in the ring at 275 – I don’t care. He made weight when he was supposed to, he can do whatever he wants after that. I just remember seeing them next to each other and thinking how much bigger Zurdo was than Bivol and I’m curious to see if it has any effect on the fight.
Bivol is a natural lightheavyweight. It’s not his fault Nelo is 5’7″ and chose to fight out of his weight class. Zurdo fights grossly out of his weight class to give himself an unfair advantage. Some look at it as cheating, but it’s within the rules. So far it’s worked out well for him, but when he is truly put to the test and forced to dig deep, which he will have to do against Bivol, it’s going to back fire on him. He’s going to be fatigued and be an enormous target for Bivol to unload on…Oh, and say Hello to Nelo!
Just as Bivol did against Canelo?? At least. Nelo moved up 5 weight classes since starting his pro career something Bivol has never done and let’s not forget Zurdo started his pro career at 154lbs. Let the excuses begin.
Have fun in uae – just don’t take your missus, she won’t be allowed ring side.
Money does strange things, such as making men fight in front of only men wearing towels. Disgusting (of course this will be moderated)
will see.. should be a good matchup
Slow feet… And bad defense are not helping this guy.
I dont see how Zurdo can defeat Bivol. Zurdo is slower and does not have one KO punch. Even Canelo could not land his power shots at will, Bivol used angles to negate Canelo’s attacks. One punch or max two punches at a time.
Canelo is short and Zurdo is tall and has long reach plus a southpaw. Zurdo wins.
You seem to think that Bivol just magically teleported as a champion at 175 lbs from another dimension. After fight night, I am looking forward to your response, after Bivol gets the “W”
There is a lot more than height in a fight. Just to entertain the above comment, I am providing an analogy. Canelo is shorter than Caleb Plant, Billy Joe Saunders, and Callum Smith; yet Canelo defeated these fighters while being shorter than them.
Zurdo is like benavides somehow they barely make weight! On fight night they’re 2 weight classes wayyy above! Benavidez calling out canelo!!!!! Of course canelo won’t fight as mych as he talks isshht! Anyways, bivol by k.o in the 7th! Faster, better footwork and good technique!
Yea size matters according to the case zurdo can give more problems to bivol than canelo did
Good bivol boxing divide zurdo size = draw
bivol is too slow for Zurdo Ramirez, Zurdo Ramirez by UD or TKO or KO
Finally..someone who knows boxing .
What is next for Canelo if Bivol loses?
Bivol’s not gonna lose tho.
Look how much bigger Bivol was to Canelo. Here we come with the excuses in case Zurdo wins. Having said that, I’m going with Zurdo, Bivol overatted, IMO.
Wow!!! Spot on!! Well said. You know boxing and you call it how you see it which is how it is. No time for hate just facts. I like it.
I wont post and rub it in your face when Zurdo loses, but at least remember I told you so. Will you do that for me Dogg? Bivol by 12 round lopsided decision.
Not happening, he’s got the talent but not the heart.
Bivol, the Mexican assassin.
Your not a real Champion until you understand the AGONY of defeat. Life has certain Values Life is Short Life is understanding. Being Real
I see Zurdo knocking Bivol out NLT 10 rounds.
Zurdo Record is trash. Bivol will win this for sure
Size does matter, even if it’s not a powerful punch anyone with 10+ pounds on you can move you around with that extra weight. It might not be thudding blows but it moves you and throws off your timing and footwork. It can make a significant difference depending on how it’s used. I don’t have a dog in the fight but I see Zurdo winning this after wearing down Bivol and pushing him to the ropes and landing some of his trademark heavy whipping blows. If Bivol wins I’m his newest number one fan, and I’d like gin to see him top Canelo again. If Zurdo wins I’d love to see him fight Canelo or Benavidez, or both! Hope this is a good one either way.