Light heavyweight contender Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez 41-0 (27) is set to take on Sullivan Barrera 22-3 (14) in Los Angeles, California on July 9 at a venue to be named.
The 29-year-old Mexican southpaw is undefeated in two outings at 175-pounds since relinquishing his WBO super middleweight title in 2019 to move up in weight.
“I’m excited to be headlining this show in Los Angeles with Golden Boy Promotions. It’s going to be a great night of boxing with fans back in the stands,” said Ramirez, who will be having his first fight for Golden Boy Promotions.
“I’ve always enjoyed fighting here and I can’t wait to put on a show to continue my hunt for the light heavyweight championship. I appreciate Oscar and the Golden Boy family for their love and support and I look will forward to a great night of boxing.”
Cuba’s Barrera, 39, has had mixed fortunes in his last five bouts with three wins against two losses. His victories have come against current WBO champion Joe Smith Jr, Felix Valera and Sean Monaghan while his losses have come to WBA champion Dmitry Bivol and contender Jesse Hart.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to headline such a big card against Gilberto Ramirez,” Barrera said. “I know that my opponent is a former world champion with a lot of experience and that he will come very much prepared. However, I feel that I have faced much better opposition.
“I’ve also spent my entire career in the light heavyweight division, something that will be totally new for him. It will be a difficult fight, but I will walk away with my hands raised in victory.”
“There are a lot of major players in the light heavyweight division right now, and Gilberto Ramirez is ready to demonstrate that he is very much among them,” said Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and CEO of Golden Boy.
“Sullivan Barrera possesses a decorated amateur background and has a lot of experience in this weight class, but Ramirez is totally committed to becoming a two-division champion. Zurdo’s world title campaign and his journey to 50-0 will start on July 9.”
In the co-main event Joseph ‘Jo Jo’ Diaz Jr 31-1-1 (15) of South El Monte, California will step up to 135 pounds to take on Javier ‘El Abejon’ Fortuna 36-2-1 (25) of La Romana, Dominican Republic in a 12-round all-southpaw battle.
Diaz Jr replaces undefeated Ryan Garcia 21-0 (18) who stepped away from the bout citing mental health issues.
In his last bout in February against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov 15-0-1 (12) for the vacant IBF super featherweight title Diaz had to settle for a split draw after missing weight by a whopping three-and-a-half pounds.
“I’m stepping in for Ryan Garcia to challenge Javier Fortuna. I wish him nothing but the best. Mental health is a very important matter that people should deal with,” Diaz said.
“I’m excited and ready to go out there and redeem myself to all my fans. I’m extremely focused and locked in. Fight night is going to be a movie. I’ll be putting the whole 130 and 135-pound division on notice.”
“I’m very happy that Jo Jo Diaz has accepted the challenge to face me, as long as after the fight he makes no excuses for getting knocked out,” Fortuna said.
“I give Diaz credit for having the balls to fight me. Devin Haney doesn’t have those balls. But after I win this fight, Haney will have 90 days to find them. Haney can run but he can’t hide. Fight me or give up the WBC title!”
