Chris Billam-Smith is getting ready for what he calls the most well-rounded challenge of his career as he prepares to face Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez this Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Both men will put their cruiserweight titles on the line, with the winner positioning themselves as a top contender to Jai Opetaia's throne as the best cruiserweight in the world.
Reflecting on Ramirez’s skill set, Billam-Smith praised the Mexican southpaw's versatility, noting his high punch output and diverse range of shots. "He’s really skilled, with a good punch variety and solid control of distance," Billam-Smith acknowledged. Despite Ramirez’s previous success at lower weight classes, Chris believes that his own intensity and non-stop pressure will be a crucial advantage. "I fight at a high intensity that I don’t think he’s faced before. I fight for every second of every round," Billam-Smith emphasized.
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Billam-Smith’s rise has been impressive since capturing the WBO title against Lawrence Okolie and successfully defending it against Richard Riakporhe. Comparing Ramirez to his past opponents, Billam-Smith noted that while Okolie’s awkward style posed its own challenges, Ramirez offers a different kind of threat with his fluid combinations and consistent pressure.
The 33-year-old Ramirez has only been defeated once, by Dmitry Bivol in 2022, but Billam-Smith believes he’s equipped to exploit the gaps in Zurdo’s game. "Bivol’s footwork was key, but I’m not Bivol. I bring a different kind of pressure," said Billam-Smith, who plans to leverage his high work rate to overwhelm Ramirez.
Fans can expect a clash of styles as Billam-Smith’s non-stop aggression meets Ramirez’s crafty combinations and ring IQ.
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