NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Gilberto Ramirez is looking to accomplish for his Mexican countrymen what Canelo Alvarez couldn’t do – beat Dmitry Bivol.
Ramirez will get the opportunity he’s been clamoring for Nov. 5 when he challenges Bivol for the WBA light heavyweight title at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on DAZN.
The 31-year-old “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) forced his path toward Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) by positioning himself as the WBA mandatory challenger.
“Camp has been going very well. I am happy to be here, I am happy to be doing this. Man, this is just exciting,” Zamirez said during a media workout at the Brickhouse Boxing Club.
“I am taking back the belt on November 5. I am very proud to not only represent Mazatln, Sinaloa, but all of Mexico and all Latinos. I can’t wait to prove to everyone and to myself that I can do this. Bivol is a tough guy. He’s a really good challenge. But, I am going to avenge the Mexican population since he beat Canelo.”
Ramirez, a former super middleweight titleholder, is expecting the bout with Bivol to be the most difficult one of his 13-year career. Ramirez will sport nearly three inches in height and reach advantages.
“I expect the very best Dmitry Bivol for this fight. I expect this to be an exciting fight. It will be a war,” said Ramirez.
Promoter Oscar De La Hoya signed Ramirez in 2021, and after three fights as a team, the Mexican fighter will be presented with a world title opportunity.
“We established Zurdo as the number one contender. He’s fought back-to-back eliminators, so he deserved this shot. We did a very good job in positioning Zurdo, and now it’s Zurdo’s job to bring the belt back,” said De La Hoya.
“The fact that [Ramirez] has that killer instinct, and that he wants this so bad, you can see it oozing from out of his eyes. He’s piercing through everything. He wants that big prize against Bivol. Zurdo is calm, cool, and collected – and that’s what you want from a fighter stepping up in competition against someone like Bivol.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on www.ManoukAkopyan.com.