Cruiserweight bragging rights are on the line when Gilberto Ramirez and Chris Billam-Smith compete in a unification fight for the WBA and WBO belts on November 16.
The fight and card, promoted by Riyadh Season, airs on DAZN worldwide.
Ramirez (46-1) held the WBO super middleweight title from 2016-2018. Looking to enhance his legacy,” Zurdo” lost the first fight of his career in 2022 when Dmitry Bivol outpointed him to retain light heavyweight gold. The 33-year-old decided to move to cruiserweight after and won the WBA belt.
“Latino Night” is the theme of the event. The Mexican warrior is ready to showcase his skills and show he is unbeatable in the latest chapter of his career.
“I’ve always said this was my division and I’m happy for the opportunity to showcase my skills at this level on a global stage in Riyadh,” Ramirez said.
“It’s truly an honor to be a Mexican warrior and to showcase what true Mexican boxing is all about while bringing my culture to a global audience.”
WATCH: Gilberto Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith, live on DAZN
Billam-Smith (20-1) is a former British, Commonwealth, and European champion. “The Gentleman,” with 13 wins via knockout, beat Lawrence Okolie to win the WBO belt and has successfully defended it twice, playing spoiler against Richard Riakporhe at Crystal Palace.
The Epsom-born fighter is ready to do it all over again against “Zurdo” in Saudi Arabia.
“The fight against Richard Riakporhe was at Selhurst Park, close to where he lives, it was his night, all about him,” Billam-Smith told ESPN.
“Similar with (how) everything is built around the Latino Night and Gilberto Ramirez, even the other Ramirez is fighting on the bill. It’s about promoting Latino fighters, and I have to go and spoil the party again.
“I have spoiled the party before and I have experienced this situation before, I have boxed in front of huge crowds and I have boxed in front of no crowds, so I’m ready for it, what ever it is like.”
A historic minimumweight clash is on the Gilberto Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith undercard, as well as an interim title bout and fights featuring top contenders.
Gilberto Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith undercard
Here’s a breakdown of all the action on the Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith card.
Jose Ramirez vs. Arnold Barboza Jr.
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Ramirez record: 29-1
- Barboza record: 30-0
- Belts at stake: N/A
The co-feature will see Jose Ramirez vs. Arnold Barboza Jr.
A two-time Junior Olympic National and Golden Gloves champion, Ramirez (29-1) has held the WBC and WBO super lightweight titles. He failed to unify against Josh Taylor, as he got battered in the middle rounds. The 32-year-old is on a three-fight win streak, and it is his first time competing twice a year since 2019.
MORE: Chris Billam-Smith chasing unified title glory against Zurdo Ramirez
Barboza (30-0) is ranked number one in the WBO super lightweight rankings. The 32-year-old ran through Jose Pedraza and looks to go 3-0 in 2024 on his way to a potential world title opportunity.
Oscar Collazo vs. Thammanoon Niyomtrong
- Division/Weight: Minimumweight
- Collazo record: 10-0
- Niyomtrong record: 25-0
- Belts at stake: WBA and WBO minimumweight titles
Oscar Collazo and Thammanoon Niyomtrong compete for the WBA and WBO minimumweight titles.
Collazo (10-0), a five-time National Champion, has quickly climbed the ranks. The 27-year-old became the fastest fighter from Puerto Rico to win a world title when he beat Melvin Jerusalem to become the WBO minimumweight champion. He has defended it three times and looks to go 3-0 in 2024.
Niyomtrong (25-0) is the longest-reigning champion in his division, holding the WBA belt for over eight years. A former Muay Thai champion, “Knockout CP Freshmart” has defended a version (interim and full-time) of the belt 15 times.
William Zepeda vs. Tevin Farmer
- Division/Weight: Lightweight
- Zepeda record: 31-0
- Farmer record: 33-6-1
- Belts at stake: interim WBC lightweight title
William Zepeda and Tevin Farmer compete for the interim WBC lightweight title.
Zepeda (31-0) has 27 wins via knockout. The Mexican southpaw is ranked number one in the WBC’s lightweight rankings and has beaten the likes of Joseph Diaz and Maxi Hughes.
MORE: Top 12 best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing
Ranked 13th, Farmer (33-6-1) is a former IBF super featherweight champion. He is a 3-2 in his last five fights, losing against top lightweight prospect Raymond Muratalla in July.
Oscar Duarte vs. Botirzhon Akhmedov
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Duarte record: 27-2-1
- Akhmedov record: 10-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Oscar Duarte faces Botirzhon Akhmedov in a potential slugfest.
Duarte (27-2-1) is a former NABF lightweight champion. “La Migrana” lost against Ryan Garcia to end 2023 but started 2024 on a high note by knocking out former world champion Joseph Diaz.
Akhmedov (10-3) has nine wins via knockout and is 2-2 in his last four fights. He last competed a year ago, and the 15th-ranked fighter in the WBA rankings looks to make a dent within it against the ninth-ranked Duarte.
Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith start time
- Date: Saturday, November 16
- Time: 2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. ET
- Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Live Stream: DAZN
Gilberto Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith will air live on DAZN.
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