Las Vegas is ready for a blockbuster boxing event as Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez moves up to challenge the cruiserweight division against the formidable Joe Smith Jr. in a twelve-round WBA cruiserweight title eliminator live on DAZN from The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan. Ramirez, a 32-year-old Mexican, is transitioning after a defeat to Russian Dmitriy Bivol, having realized he can no longer make the 175lbs light-heavyweight limit. Smith Jr., a New Yorker, also fell to Bivol in 2019 but has a history of facing top names and scoring upset knockout wins.
Ramirez is no stranger to the world championship scene, boasting a 6-1 record in such fights. He’s ranked within the top ten in multiple organizations and is eyeing a title shot in a division with five different world champions. Smith Jr., on the other hand, is known for his toughness and resilience. Despite a brutal KO defeat to Artur Beterbiev in his last outing, the Long Islander is ready to bounce back, motivated by personal tragedy and the desire to honor his late brother.
The bout is set at a catchweight of 193lbs, a middle ground considering Ramirez’s struggle to stay at light heavyweight and Smith Jr.’s lean but fit physique. Ramirez is expected to benefit from the move up in weight, potentially showcasing improved activity and performance. Smith Jr., though not as technically skilled as Ramirez, brings raw strength and the ability to outwork and outlast his opponent, especially in the later rounds.
Both fighters are coming off losses but are motivated to reestablish themselves in this new division. Smith Jr. is fueled by the memory of his brother and the need to make the most of his life, while Ramirez is eager to claim another world title. Their clash promises to be a mix of skill, power, and sheer will, each fighter determined to prove their worth and ascend the cruiserweight ranks.
Promoters and fans alike are buzzing with anticipation. Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions, envisions an impressive streak for Ramirez in his new weight class. Meanwhile, Joe DeGuardia, CEO of Star Boxing, emphasized, “This is more than just a fight; it’s a collision of former world champs. A spectacle not to be missed, and we’re all eagerly waiting for October 7th.”
In the co-main event, Bektemir “The Bully” Melikuziev (12-1, 9 KOs) will defend his WBA Intercontinental Super Middleweight Title in a 10-round fight against Alantez “SlyAza” Fox (28-4-1, 13 KOs). Initially, John “Scrappy” Ramirez (12-0, 8 KOs) should have fought in a co-main event against Panama’s Ronal Batista (15-3, 9 KOs) in a WBA Super Flyweight Final Eliminator fight was moved to the Rocha vs. Santillan card on Saturday, October 21.
Main card:
▪️Gilberto Zurdo Ramirez vs. Joe Smith Jr, 12 rounds, for WBA cruiserweight title ▪️Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Alantez Fox, 10 rounds, for Mekuziev’s WBA Intercontinental title ▪️Darius Fulghum vs. Alan Campa, 8 rounds, super middleweight ▪️Eric Tudor vs. Jose Luis Sanchez, 8 rounds, super welterweight
Undercard:
▪️Tristan Kalkreuth vs. Aaron Casper, 8 rounds, cruiserweight ▪️Daniel Luna vs. Erick Garcia Benitez, 6 rounds, lightweight ▪️Jahyae Brown vs. Victor Toney, 8 rounds, junior middleweight
Watch the official final press conference live on YouTube: Watch
