We are days away from the Golden Boy Promotions feature attraction as Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) faces Joe Smith Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs) in a fight scheduled for 193 pounds. The hope is that we don’t get another weigh-in drama show from Ramirez, as he failed to make the contracted weight against Gabe Rosado earlier this year. Can Ramirez get back on the victory lane with a win over Smith Jr., or will the ‘Common man’ get the best out of the former WBO super middleweight champion?
ARE WE GOING TO SEE A MORE EFFECTIVE ‘ZURDO’ AT CRUSIERWEIGHT?
Ask us what day it is...ππ'π¬ ππππ¨πππ« ππ«π. So, we're just days away from #ZurdoSmith in Las Vegas LIVE on DAZN! π₯ pic.twitter.com/raC5VEgVju
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) October 3, 2023
‘Zurdo’ Ramirez is a fighter that has always been big for his weight class, but it now seems like he will be in a division that suits his frame. The issue is that he removes the size advantage he had at the lower weight classes, so he must now rely on his boxing skills to get him a victory. We’ve seen Ramirez hurt in a few instances against smaller guys, and Smith Jr. packs a punch. But he’s coming up in weight, and Ramirez will be the more natural cruiserweight on fight night and will likely be well over 200 pounds.
Ramirez must be smart and avoid those long looping right hands from Smith Jr., which are tailor-made for southpaws. He will have to pick his spots on the inside and do damage from the outside while trying to tire out Smith Jr., who’s not used to that weight class. If Ramirez can avoid getting himself into a firefight, he should come out with the decision victory.
WHAT WILL THIS VERSION OF JOE SMITH JR. LOOK LIKE AFTER THE BETERBIEV LOSS?
The #CommonMan Joe Smith Jr. has touched down in Vegas π·ββοΈ Team Smith and Star Boxing CEO @JoeDeGuardia are ready for fight week π pic.twitter.com/klBxuqdBXf
— Star Boxing (@StarBoxing) October 3, 2023
Smith Jr. took some hard shots from unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in June 2022, with the fight only lasting two rounds before being stopped by the referee. A brutal fight like that can take something out of a fighter, and although Smith Jr. insists that he is a different fighter from that night, it’s hard to ignore the punishment he took. He’s likely a different fighter and, at 34, must look at going for it all on Saturday night.
Smith Jr. will have to go for broke early and make Ramirez uncomfortable if he wants to win this fight. The overhand right may be there for Smith Jr., but he must keep that left jab in Ramirez’s face to set it up. If he can land one of those right hands, it’ll be interesting to see if Ramirez can take it. Smith Jr. won’t win a decision, so he has to empty the tank, hope he wins, and move on to an even bigger fight.
GILBERTO ‘ZURDO’ RAMIREZ VS. JOE SMITH JR. PREDICTION
Although these are untested waters for both men, Ramirez has been the bigger man for most of his fights and is used to carrying the extra weight while Smith Jr. isn’t. Ramirez will use that to his advantage and box his way to a unanimous decision on Saturday night.
GILBERTO ‘ZURDO’ RAMIREZ VS. JOE SMITH JR. BETTING ODDS
Per BetOnline.ag, Gilberto Ramirez is the favorite at -400 (Over 10 ½ rounds -115), and Joe Smith Jr. is the underdog at +300 (Under 10 ½ rounds -115).
Gilberto Ramirez: TKO/KO -110; Decision +210
Draw: +1800
Joe Smith Jr.: TKO/KO +800; Decision +600
Round Group Betting
Joe Smith Jr by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 1 to 3 +5000
Joe Smith Jr by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 4 to 6 +2800
Joe Smith Jr by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 7 to 9 +2000
Joe Smith Jr by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 10 to 12 +2800
No shortage of work being put in by the #CommonMan Joe Smith Jr. #ZurdoSmith | Oct 7 | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/DDi91r1eyq
— Star Boxing (@StarBoxing) September 11, 2023
Gilberto Ramirez by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 1 to 3 +1200
Gilberto Ramirez by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 4 to 6 +550
Gilberto Ramirez by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 7 to 9 +400
Gilberto Ramirez by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 10 to 12 +550
GILBERTO ‘ZURDO’ RAMIREZ VS. JOE SMITH JR. FIGHT DATE, START TIME
- Date: Saturday, October 7
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 11:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. PT
These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
WHAT CHANNEL/STREAM IS GILBERTO ‘ZURDO’ RAMIREZ VS. JOE SMITH JR.?
- U.S.: DAZN
- UK: DAZN
GILBERTO ‘ZURDO’ RAMIREZ VS. JOE SMITH JR. FIGHT CARD
- Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez vs. Joe Smith Jr.; cruiserweight
- John “Scrappy” Ramirez vs. Ronal Batista; WBA super flyweight eliminator
- Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Alantez Fox; super middleweight
- Tristan Kalkreuth vs. TBA; cruiserweight
- Eric Tudor vs. Jose Luis Sanchez; light middleweight
- Daniel Luna vs. TBA; super lightweight
- Jahyae Brown vs. Victor Toney; light middleweight
- Rajon Chance vs. Orlando Perez Zapata; featherweight
