Gilberto Ramirez is considered to be one of the top talents in boxing today as he reigns as a unified champion.
Although fans are eager to see a fight between Ramirez and Jai Opetaia for cruiserweight unification, ‘Zurdo’ will have to get past Yuniel Dorticos to maintain champion status.
The pair will meet on the undercard of Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., with Ramirez looking to improve his current 47-1 record.
In his last outing, Ramirez truly showed his talents as he fended off a fellow cruiserweight champion in November 2024.
Gilberto Ramirez had a fight of the year contender with Chris Billam-Smith
Ramirez first became a world champion in 2016, when he claimed the WBO World Super Middleweight title. Six years later, he challenged Dmitry Bivol for the WBA World Light Heavyweight title, but was unsuccessful.
Despite falling short at light heavyweight, the Mexican continued his ascent up the divisions, moving to cruiserweight. After a win over Joe Smith Jr., Ramirez challenged Arsen Goulamirian for the WBA World Cruiserweight title.
Winning via unanimous decision, ‘Zurdo’ could call himself a two-division champion. Now atop the division, Ramirez sought unification.
He would be paired up with 20-1 British star Chris Billam-Smith, who was the WBO title holder. The pair met in November 2024, with both cruiserweight titles on the line in Saudi Arabia.
Both men would have success in the bout, however, Ramirez had one of his best performances to date. Catching Billam-Smith with some sharp shots, the judges awarded the Mexican the decision.
The fight was filled with significant moments as the pair engaged in an entertaining and high-paced bout. At the end of the bout, the commentator said, “What a fight, incredible stuff.”
Michael Buffer also described the bout as ‘real fighting’ in his post-fight announcement.
As for the loser of the bout, Billam-Smith said he was ‘shocked’ after the fight.
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Gilberto Ramirez to take on Yuniel Dorticos in unified title defense
With Ramirez’s last outing coming against Billam-Smith, he will now turn his attention to Cuban fighter Dorticos.
Both the WBA and WBO titles will be on the line when Ramirez welcomes a challenge from the 27-2 fighter. Dorticos also goes into the bout in finishing form, with three stoppages in a row.
The event headlined by Paul vs Chavez Jr. also includes Holly Holm returning to boxing after a UFC stint. Lightweight prospect Floyd Schofield will also take on former world champion Tevin Farmer in California on the June 28th card.