Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez has been linked with a mouthwatering matchup against IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia following his scintillating victory over Chris Billam-Smith.
The 33-year-old became the unified WBA and WBO king at 200 lbs last Saturday after comprehensively outpointing his opponent in Saudi Arabia.
His performance, though, took the majority of fans by surprise, with many expecting Billam-Smith to establish himself as the bigger and physically stronger operator.
But instead, Ramirez showcased his fluid movement and classy skills, landing a series of eye-catching combinations before claiming his wide unanimous decision victory.
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Gilberto Ramirez is unlikely to face Jai Opetaia following his victory over Chris Billam-Smith
The destructive nature of Zurdo’s performance over the weekend was illustrated when Billam-Smith revealed his gruesome injuries from the one-sided beatdown.
After all, in addition to his elite boxing IQ, Ramirez demonstrated that he possesses a tremendous gas tank and remarkable degree of durability.
When considering that he was once a super middleweight champion, too, it is incredible to think that, at cruiserweight, the size difference is not heavily weighted against him.
But still, the Mexican would undoubtedly be compelled to raise his level against Jai Opetaia who, in truth, is a vastly more polished boxer than Billam-Smith.
The potential matchup has, of course, been widely spoken about since Ramirez called his fellow champion out shortly after adding the WBO strap to his collection.
And yet, it appears that Opetaia – who has been ordered to face IBF mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara – must overcome a stumbling block in order for the unification to materialize.
Jai Opetaia teases fight news
Since his six-round demolition over Jack Massey last month, Opetaia has enjoyed spending some quality time with his family.
But now, the Australian is seemingly on the verge of revealing his next opponent, with his latest post on X teasing that an announcement is imminent.
The 29-year-old is expected to face unbeaten contender Cinkara, who comes off a second-round stoppage over Armend Xhoxhaj, a limited fighter perhaps best known for getting pulverized by Billam-Smith.
| WBC | IBF | WBO and WBA |
| Norair Mikaeljan | Jai Opetaia | Gilberto Ramirez |
And so, it appears that fans will be forced to wait a little while longer before a definitive cruiserweight king is crowned.