Home Boxing News Gilberto Ramirez: “I will snatch their belts and take their souls one...

Gilberto Ramirez: “I will snatch their belts and take their souls one by one”

Gilberto Ramirez
Gilberto Ramirez. Photo credit: Getty Images

Former WBO super middleweight champion and current light heavyweight contender Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez 41-0 (27) knows how much is on the line ahead of his fight against former world title challenger Sullivan Barrera 22-3 (14) at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California on July 9.

The 30-year-old Mexican southpaw won his first world title at 168-pounds five years ago when he pitched a shutout against Arthur Abraham. He defended the belt five times before moving up in weight to 175-pounds where the three world titleholders are WBC and IBF boss Artur Beterbiev 16-0 (16), WBA king Dmitry Bivol 18-0 (11) and WBO champ Joe Smith Jr 27-3 (21).

Ramirez says he was ready for a world title shot against any of them but questioned whether they were ready for him.

“That’s what the fans want but I’m not sure if these fighters are ready for me,” Ramirez said. “I wasn’t impressed by any of the three in their recent bouts. They can run as much as they want, but they can’t hide forever.

“I know I’m the best in the division and sooner or later I will be snatching each of the belts and taking their souls one by one.”

Ramirez was the first Mexican fighter to capture a world super middleweight title. Since move up a division two years ago he has defeated Tommy Karpency 29-7-1 (19) and Alphonso Lopez (32-4 (25), both by stoppage.

The 39-year-old Barrera brings strong credentials to the ring. The decorated amateur boxer ran up a record of 285-27 while representing Cuba in the non-paid ranks where he holds victories over future professional world champions Chad Dawson and Beibut Shumenov.

In the pro ranks he has wins over Jeff Lacy, Karo Murat and Felix Valera. His three losses all came against past or present world champions. Bivol stopped him in the 12th round, Smith outpointed him over 10, while International Boxing Hall of Famer Andre Ward decisioned him over 12.

Ramirez is expecting nothing but the best version of Barrera to enter the ring against him.

“I always expect the best from my opponents,” Ramirez said. “Barrera is a professional and I know he will be ready when the lights are on. He displayed that he’s a strong fighter when he beat and broke Joe Smith Jr’s jaw in their bout.

“A victory for Barrera can resurge his career and alter my path; so, I prepare for the best version of Barrera and I will not let anything deter my goals.

“I’ve been working hard. There’s new stuff I’ve been fine tuning and I can’t wait to showcase it July 9th. Come fight night, I know all my hard work will pay off.”

Zurdo vs Barrera, presented by Golden Boy Promotions, will be streamed exclusively on DAZN. In the main support bout, Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz 31-1-1 (15) will clash with southpaw Javier ‘El Abejon’ Fortuna 36-2-1 (25) for the interim WBC lightweight title.