Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez had grown tired of listening to the outside noise. Despite accruing an undefeated record through 44 career fights, the Mexican native was under heavy criticism surrounding his level of opposition over the years. Still, in spite of being chastised to no end, the 31-year-old urged fighters such as Dmitry Bivol to face him in the ring.
While it may have taken longer than he anticipated, Ramirez was finally given his wish. Now, in just a few short hours, Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) will attempt to defend his WBA light heavyweight crown in the main event slot at the Etihad Arena, in Abu Dhabi.
Along with the rest of the boxing world, longtime renowned trainer, Abel Sanchez, reveals that he’s incredibly intrigued by how things will ultimately play out. Currently, however, oddsmakers are standing definitively on the side of Bivol as their showdown nears.
Nevertheless, the betting public’s insistence on pushing Bivol as a massive favorite comes across as flippant in Sanchez’s opinion. Having watched Bivol’s improvement from a distance, Sanchez juxtaposes him to a former fighter he once guided to championship prominence in Gennadiy Golovkin. But regardless of Sanchez singing his praises, he has a strong feeling that the physical advantages that Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) will enjoy will be simply too much to overcome.
“Bivol is Gennadiy Golovkin, only 15 pounds heavier,” said Sanchez to K.O. Artists Sports. “He just doesn’t have the punch but he’s very talented, had a great amateur career. But you know what? I have to go with Zurdo in this one.”
Bivol, of course, is riding high stemming from his career-defining victory over Canelo Alvarez. The pound-for-pound stalwart and future Hall of Famer audaciously abandoned his super middleweight throne earlier this year, in an attempt to pilfer yet another world title in another weight class.
His immediate plans, nonetheless, were met with a significant roadblock as Bivol easily outboxed his man, resulting in a close but clear unanimous decision victory.
Though often showered with praise for his ability to move seamlessly through divisions, Bivol used his overwhelming size advantage to negate the naturally gifted Alvarez. Fast forward just a few months later, and Bivol now finds himself against a bigger foe. Because of those physical dimensions, Sanchez has concluded that Bivol’s title reign will officially come to an end.
“I think that Zurdo will be too big for him just like he was too big for Canelo. I think that Zurdo takes the decision.”