Last week ProBox TV News informed you that Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez would be returning to the ring in October. Today, veteran boxing reporter, Dan Rafael announced the date and opponent, as it appears Ramirez will face Joe Smith Jr., on October 7th.
As the former WBO super middleweight world champion, Ramirez will return at 190-lbs catchweight per Rafael's reporting, as Ramirez will face former WBO light heavyweight world champion, Joe Smith.
The catchweight seems to be in place as Ramirez's last bout against Gabriel Rosado in March was called off due to Ramirez's inability to meet the weight requirement for the light heavyweight division, which has a championship limit of 175-lbs. This unforeseen setback underscored the importance of weight management and it seems that given this unfortunate circumstance Ramirez will try out this higher weight at a catchweight first.
When speaking to Golden Boy Promotions president, Eric Gomez, ProBox TV News was told the following.
“Yes, [Ramirez] will be fighting at cruiserweight,“ said Gomez. “Look, he is a big kid, he has been at that weight for a long-time, and sometimes just your body betrays you. Just because you were able to make weight three months prior, four months prior, your body changes, and he learned that the hard way. It is behind him now, and he has been training hard. So we’re anticipating that we are going to get the best possible Zurdo that we have seen in the past."
For Joe Smith, this bout signifies a long layoff after a brutal stoppage loss to Artur Beterbiev last year. The upcoming fight against Ramirez offers Smith the chance to redeem himself and reassert amongst the top contenders in the sport of boxing. More so, Smith Jr., rocked Dmitry Bivol in a fight they had prior, and a win over Ramirez, who last fought and lost to Bivol - might give Smith Jr. the chance to rematch Bivol.
When speaking to ProBox TV News, Gomez alluded to Smith with the following comments prior to the bout being formalized.
“It is a well-known fighter,” furthered Gomez. “It is an ex-champion, but I just can’t talk about it…until the contract is signed.”
