The Former WBO Super Middleweight World Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez hosted a media workout in Los Angeles, California, though his timing might have been unlucky or unfortunate as he went head-to-head with his stablemate, Ryan Garcia announcing his fight against Gervonta Davis in New York, for their pay-per-view mega-fight. Due to this announcement, popular figures in Golden Boy Promotions such as Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins were not present. That didn't stop Ramirez from promoting his fight for March 18th at the Walter Pyramid, in Long Beach, California, which will be broadcast on DAZN against veteran Gabriel “King” Rosado, who will be moving up to light heavyweight for the first time in his career.
The fight has been shunned by many as Ramirez is considered a top-5 light heavyweight even with a loss to Dmitry Bivol last year, and Rosado, a credible fighter has been in a lot of hard fights and has never fought this heavy ever in his career. Ramirez was clear at this event that he wanted people to know, in his mind this will be a great fight, and that he has a lot of history with Rosado that could make this fight interesting come fight night.
The mutual respect between the two shows a side of the sport we often don’t see, sportsmanship. Yet, it is Zurdo who is looking to regain momentum after a loss so one-sided to Dmitry Bivol and devalued not just his spot in the division, but some of Ramirez’s legacy. It is clear Ramirez is aware of this and wants to prove that he is still one of the top fighters.
“I learned a lot from my first career loss against Bivol. He is a great fighter; I don’t take anything away from him. He had a good night, and I didn’t. The plan was to box him and step away from my usual forward fighting style. I do want the rematch; that is the plan. But, we will take care of business on March 18 and start thinking about my career’s next steps afterward,” said Ramirez, who wants to right his past wrongs. “I’ll fight anyone, anywhere. I am from Mexico, and I came to the U.S. and fought. I went to Abu Dhabi to fight Bivol. So, I am not afraid to go to the U.K. to fight Callum Smith, Anthony Yarde, or Joshua Buatsi. I want to fight the best and become a world champion again.”
Though no reasonable fight can look at this match-up as an aging veteran in Rosado, taking on a close to if not prime Zurdo Ramirez, as similar to Miguel Cotto facing Antonio Margarito. Ramirez did reference the fact that he is excited to be a part of a form of a Mexico versus Puerto Rico fight in the history books.
“I am really looking forward to this fight and being part of the rich Mexico vs. Puerto Rico fight history. These fights are always full of action, and I know Gabriel and I will give fans a great fight. We are both aggressive fighters with a lot of heart and guts to do whatever it takes to win,” said Ramirez as he even would double down and tell those within earshot or that got the process his favorite fight in this historic rivalry. “My favorite Mexico vs. Puerto Rico matchup: Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito. That fight was so exciting and full of action.”