Gilberto Ramirez takes it to Joe Smith Jr. throughout their 10-round cruiserweight combat. Photograph by Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy Promotions
The official scorecards didn’t seize the aggressive nature of the combat however even those that thought Gilberto Ramirez outpointed Joe Smith Jr. by the pores and skin of his enamel agreed that the previous tremendous middleweight titleholder and lightweight heavyweight contender exhibited the very best boxing type of his 13-year profession.
Ramirez (45-1, 30 KOs) received the 10-round Golden Boy/DAZN principal occasion by unanimous scores of 99-91, successful his cruiserweight debut after clearly outgrowing the 175-pound division after getting outclassed by reigning WBA titleholder Dmitry Bivol final November.
The official tallies weren’t sort to former WBO 175-pound titleholder Smith (28-5, 22 KOs), who although outboxed and outhustled over the primary half of the combat, got here on sturdy down the stretch, touchdown the sort of pictures that might blast most mild heavyweights.
Nevertheless, Ramirez, who weighed in a pound and half below the contracted 193 kilos, appeared like a small heavyweight (at the least 215 kilos). However the southpaw flashed a lot sooner fingers than Smith and was surprisingly mild on his ft. Past his motion and agility, “Zurdo” was razor sharp for six rounds, holding Smith on the finish of a busy jab and correct combos. Ramirez was additionally defensively sharp, evading most of Smith’s huge punches each time the Lengthy Island, New Yorker obtained him on the ropes.
Price this efficiency by Zurdo in his win over Joe Smith Jr!! 🔥#ZurdoSmith | LIVE on DAZN pic.twitter.com/wbS4Es6RfC
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) October 8, 2023
However Smith, who was coming off a second-round knockout loss to unified titleholder Artur Beterbiev in June, stored plugging away and his persistence paid off when Ramirez started to tire in Spherical 7. Smith caught Ramirez with a proper hand that shocked the Mazatlan, Mexico native close to the tip of the spherical, and he poured it on onerous simply earlier than the bell.
Smith pressed a seemingly fading Ramirez in Spherical 8, taking the momentum of the bout, though the larger fighter rallied on the finish of the spherical. Smith rocked Ramirez firstly of Spherical 9, driving the 32-year-old lefty into the ropes when he landed mid-range proper fingers. However once more, Ramirez got here on within the ultimate minute of the spherical.
Smith had his moments in opposition to Ramirez over the second half of the combat. Photograph by Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy Promotions
Ramirez, who acquired wonderful recommendation from new co-trainer Mailk Scott between rounds, caught a second wind within the ultimate spherical. He moved properly, was busier and landed greater than Smith, who continued to swing for the fences and even related on a number of monster hooks and crosses. Ramirez’s chin is legit.
“I felt I used to be forward on the scorecards, however I didn’t take any probabilities as a result of Smith is a giant puncher,” Ramirez mentioned throughout his post-fight interview. “(With a) 20-pound distinction (from the sunshine heavyweight restrict), I really feel nice.”
Smith didn’t really feel nearly as good however was nonetheless happy with his effort.
“I really feel I used to be just a little heavy on my ft,” mentioned the 34-year-old veteran. “I want I have been just a little extra busy, however I damage him a number of occasions. He boxed properly, stored his distance.”
Ramirez’s efficiency earned him shot at WBA cruiserweight titleholder Arsen Goulamirian, an undefeated 36-year-old French veteran.
