Former WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez 44-1 (30) has opened up about his weight struggles that have seen him move up to the cruiserweight division.
The 32-year-old Mexican southpaw held the WBO belt at 168-pounds for almost three years and made five success title defences before moving up in weight. Last November he unsuccessfully challenger WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol 21-0 (11) for his title, losing by unanimous decision.
Back in March, Ramirez was scheduled to face Gabriel Rosado 26-17-1 (15) in a light heavyweight contest but he missed the 175-pound weight limit so badly he didn’t even bother to step onto the scales.
“No excuses,” Ramirez wrote in a post on his Instagram account at the time. “I had never missed weight in my 45 pro fights. This is the first and last time. I have always prided myself on being a professional, but today was not my finest moment.”
The failure to make weight prompted Ramirez to step up to the cruiserweight division where he will take on former WBO light heavyweight champion Joe ‘The Common Man’ Smith Jr 28-4 (22) at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada this Saturday night live on DAZN.
“The cancellation of the Rosado fight was definitely a disappointing and challenging moment in my career,” Ramirez admitted.
“It was the first time I missed weight and I take full responsibility for it. I understand that it had an impact on both the fight itself and my reputation. I want to sincerely apologise to my fans, my team, and everyone who was looking forward to the fight.
“I’m aware that setbacks like this can have an impact but I believe that how I respond to adversity is what truly matters. I’m determined to show through my actions and performances that I’m dedicated to my career and to rectify my past mistakes.
“I’m focusing on the present and future, and I’m looking forward to proving myself in upcoming fights and regaining the trust of those who support me.”
The Ramirez vs Smith bout will be contested at a catchweight of 190-pounds.
“I take full responsibility for not making weight and for any disappointment it caused,” Ramirez said. “Moving forward, I’m making several changes to ensure that such a situation doesn’t happen again.
“Moreover, the experience has motivated me to redouble my efforts in every aspect of my training camp. From my conditioning and skill development to my mental preparedness, I’m leaving no stone unturned, I’m determined to prove that I’ve learned from my mistakes and that I’m fully committed to my career and the expectations that come with it.
“Ultimately, I understand that actions speak louder than words and I’m dedicated to showing through my performance that I’ve taken the necessary steps to rectify the situation and come back stronger and more focused than ever.”
