Former WBO super middleweight champion and current WBA light heavyweight mandatory challenger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) is confident that the WBA will order Dmitry Bivol, the reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) champion, to fight him next.
Last month, Ramirez stopped Dominic Boesel (32-3) in four rounds to become the official WBA light heavyweight mandatory challenger (it was his second title eliminator victory).
Bivol erupted on the world scene last month when he outboxed Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez over twelve rounds to secure an upset decision win.
Promoter Eddie Hearn would like to see unbeaten British Olympian Joshua Buatsi become Bivol’s next opponent.
But, Ramirez is now aggressively pushing to get that WBA shot.
“I appreciate the WBA and believe the right process will be followed,” Ramirez said. “I’m confused about Bivol ducking me. I earned the WBA mandatory challenger position in the ring, not once, but twice. He’s been talking about fighting me for the last two years. It’s time.”
WBO, WBC, IBF champion Artur Beterbiev is likely going to face mandatory challenger Anthony Yarde in the fall.
Beterbiev’s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, would like to see Bivol fight Ramirez – with the winners of the two title fights colliding in 2023.
Zurdo, of course, agreed with Arum: “I am not surprised by Bob’s comments. Bivol can’t just demand what he wants to Top Rank. It just doesn’t work that way. Canelo didn’t commit to the rematch, so now I’m curious what other excuses he (Bivol) might make to avoid me.
“My team and I still have a tremendous amount of respect for Bob and Top Rank. He is one of the greatest promoters and I will always appreciate Bob for giving me an opportunity. Although we disagreed, it doesn’t mean we can’t do good business together down the line. I still cherish all my time with Top Rank and wish nothing but the best for Bob and the Top Rank family.”