Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez has dreams of becoming a two-division world champion.
That goal could be achieved on March 30 when he fights the WBA cruiserweight champion Arsen Goulamirian at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, on DAZN.
Ramirez (45-1, 30 KOs) is a former WBO super middleweight champion. He made five successful defenses of that title after defeating Arthur Abraham in 2016 to capture the crown before moving up in weight and away from the initial promoter that led him to a world title, Top Rank Inc. In 2021, he signed with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions (his current promoter). Ramirez accumulated three knockout wins serving as a prelude to a world title fight at light heavyweight against Dmitrii Bivol.
Bivol outboxed Ramirez in 2022. Ramirez had weight issues for a scheduled fight against Gabriel Rosado that forced the cancellation of that bout but he returned in October against Joe Smith Jr. at cruiserweight.
His second fight in the division will be a title fight.
“[I am going to] become a world champion,” stated Ramirez.
Goulamirian (27-0, 19 KOs) won his title nearly six years ago. Since then, he has made four defenses with all of his fights taking place in France. He has a famous face involved with him – Abel Sanchez, the legendary coach of Terry Norris and Gennadiy Golovkin. Sanchez has stated to those unaware of Goulamirian that he has a very exciting fan-friendly style. Ramirez, at the press conference, echoed that sentiment.
“We are going to give to the fans what they want – a very good fight,” said Ramirez.
“I am seriously excited for this fight,” said Goulamirian. “Fighting in America for the first time, [it’s a] great opportunity for me, because Ramirez is a big name.”
Given Ramirez had weight issues in a previous fight – and that he is every bit of 6ft 2½ins, Ramirez was asked about his comfort at the cruiserweight division.
“I walk around at like 215 [lbs],” said Ramirez. “I feel great, I don’t need to cut a lot of weight.”
Becoming a two-division world champion is a step closer to “Zurdo’s” ultimate goal.
“It’s one [step] closer to becoming a legend, and that is what I really want,” said Ramirez.