Undefeated light heavyweight contender Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez 42-0 (28) has again stated his desire to face the top boxers at 175-pounds.
The 30-year-old Mexican southpaw has settled in nicely at light heavyweight after relinquishing his WBO super middleweight belt in early 2019 to move up in weight following five successful title defences.
All three of his light heavyweight fights have ended by knockout, including a fourth-round stoppage of Sullivan Barrera in his last outing in Los Angeles in July. Cuba’s Barrera was stopped in the 12th round by WBA 175-pound champion Dmitry Bivol in New York three years ago.
Russian Bivol 18-0 (11) remains on Ramirez’s hit list, alongside Long Island’s Joe Smith Jr 27-3 (21) who own the WBO belt and Russian knockout artist Artur Beterbiev 16-0 (16) who is the WBC and IBF champion.
Ramirez is ranked WBO number two and IBF number five.
“In this world, all I have are my word and balls,” Ramirez said. “And I don’t break ’em for anyone. I fight not just for myself, but for my pride and the spirit of Mexican people. We are proud of our heritage and have been the best fighters. Russians know I will take out both Bivol and Beterbiev; Joe Smith Jr is just an appetiser.
“I think they’re all reluctant to fight a Mexican light heavyweight like me. There’s a reason why Bivol is retracting his statement and staying quiet after all his social media antics. If he was serious, it’s an easy fight to make and he knows it.”
Another name in the mix is undefeated Englishman Joshua Buatsi 15-0 (13) who is coming off an impressive 11th round knockout of hardnosed Latvian Ricards Bolotniks 18-6-1 (8) in Brentwood, Essex in the UK earlier this month.
“I’m also hearing Buatsi’s name in the mix, but I would absolutely destroy him,” Ramirez said. “All these guys talk the talk but rarely walk the walk. I am a Mexican warrior; everybody knows the way we are built!
“My time will come. I know Golden Boy is working hard on making this a reality and when that time comes, all these guys will have nowhere to run or hide.
“I leave who I fight next up to my matchmaker, Robert Diaz. I trust that Golden Boy will do whatever is best for my career.”
