In a highly anticipated showdown held at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) showcased his boxing prowess against the heavy-hitting WBO champion Chris Billiam-Smith (29-2, 13 KOs). Ramirez emerged victorious via unanimous decision after twelve grueling rounds, demonstrating not only superior skill but also a tactical understanding of the sport that left his opponent struggling to keep pace.
From the opening bell, Ramirez employed his signature high-volume fighting style paired with exceptional footwork, allowing him to evade Billiam-Smith’s powerful blows while delivering accurate counters. This momentous victory, marked by three judges’ scores in favor of Ramirez—116-112, 116-112, and 116-113—underscored the disproportionate effectiveness of his strategy compared to Billiam-Smith’s. While the WBO champion displayed toughness and resilience, his inability to adapt to the dynamic movements of Ramirez ultimately hindered his performance.
Despite the clarity of Ramirez’s win, there were moments in the fight that raised eyebrows, including an incident in the fourth round where Billiam-Smith suffered a cut, attributed to what was ruled a clash of heads. While this ruling can often influence how the fight is viewed, it appeared that Ramirez’s hand may have been more pivotal to the cut than the officials suggested. This minor controversy, however, did not detract from the overall theme of the fight: Ramirez’s control and adaptability in the ring were simply overwhelming.
In his post-fight comments, Ramirez expressed a desire to challenge IBF champion Jai Opetaia next, although the feasibility of this ambition lies in the hands of his team at Golden Boy Promotions and His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. The prospect of a title unification bout is tantalizing, particularly if Ramirez also considers facing WBC champion Noel Mikaelyan. Each potential opponent would present diverse challenges, creating intrigue in his pursuit of becoming the undisputed champion in the cruiserweight division.
At 33 years old, Ramirez is at a critical juncture in his career where strategic match-ups could define his legacy in boxing. His recent fight against Billiam-Smith was not just a showcase of talent but also a step toward solidifying his standing as one of the top fighters in the cruiserweight category.
In another notable match, #1 ranked lightweight contender William Zepeda (32-0, 27 KOs) faced Tevin Farmer (33-7-1, 8 KOs) in a competitive battle for the WBC interim lightweight title. Zepeda secured a split decision victory that revealed the complexities of judging in boxing. Despite suffering a flash knockdown in round four, Zepeda rebounded to control much of the fight, employing a relentless offensive approach that Farmer found difficult to withstand.
Interestingly, the bout illuminated the challenge of securing recognition for body shots in boxing. Many analysts observed that the judges seemed fixated on head strikes, failing to give Zepeda adequate credit for his effective body work. This discrepancy in scoring raised questions about the judges’ perspectives, as Zepeda had effectively pushed Farmer to the defensive throughout.
Post-fight, Zepeda is set to clash with WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson in February, a match that promises to be a thrilling encounter between two skilled fighters. The anticipation surrounding this upcoming showdown emphasizes the potential growth of Zepeda’s career trajectory, especially given his demonstrated ability to absorb and deliver punishing shots during the Farmer bout.
In the same fight card, former unified light welterweight champion Jose Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs) faced unbeaten #1-ranked Arnold Barboza Jr. (31-0, 11 KOs) in a WBO 140-lb title eliminator. Ramirez’s defeat by unanimous decision marked a significant shift in his career and raised questions about his future in the sport. Throughout the fight, Barboza displayed superior control and strategy, continually utilizing his jab and combination punching to frustrate Ramirez.
As Ramirez grappled with Barboza’s strategic control, the fight served as a reminder of the relentless development of competition in boxing. While Ramirez attempted a late rally, it appeared that Barboza was always one step ahead, deftly neutralizing any momentum the former champion was seeking to build.
Ultimately, this card highlighted the shifting dynamics within both the cruiserweight and lightweight divisions. With Ramirez targeting potential comebacks and Zepeda and Barboza climbing rapidly, the landscape of boxing remains vibrant and filled with future possibilities that fans will eagerly follow.
Leave a Reply