NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez says he’s able to revive his profession and rebound after struggling his first skilled loss in opposition to Dmitry Bivol final yr and blowing weight a day earlier than his canceled return bout in opposition to Gabriel Rosado in March.
The take a look at standing in entrance of Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) when he returns to the ring on Oct. 7 at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on DAZN shall be former mild heavyweight champion Joe Smith Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs).
After now not with the ability to make the sunshine heavyweight restrict, the previous tremendous middleweight titlist Ramirez, in addition to Smith, will each be making their cruiserweight debuts.
“The primary defeat was powerful. However I am extra hungry now and need to show my finest by getting the win. I have been coaching arduous … The arduous coaching is completed already. I simply have to sweat just a little bit now,” Ramirez informed BoxingScene.com in an interview after a coaching session on the Brickhouse Boxing Membership.
“This struggle goes to be nice for me. It is a reset and again on observe for me. I am excited. It’ll be fireworks. I am grateful for this massive alternative Golden Boy Promotions is presenting.”
After a six-fight run at 175 kilos, the Julian Chua-trained Ramirez mentioned he merely may now not make the load.
“My physique is rising. I am nonetheless younger. I need to problem myself now and conquer a brand new division. I am excited as a result of Joe Smith is an efficient fighter. I do know he’ll struggle each spherical, and the identical goes for me,” mentioned Ramirez.
Ramirez mentioned the scrap with Smith will happen at a contracted weight of 193 kilos.
“Followers can count on a unique Zurdo Ramirez. I’ve reset myself. I am simply grateful to be right here. I’ve one objective – to make an announcement and win the struggle,” mentioned Ramirez.
In a separate interview with BoxingScene.com, Ramirez’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya urged Ramirez to kick his profession into overdrive.
“I would like for him to take it up three notches, , three gears,” mentioned De La Hoya. “He fought Bivol on first gear. I would like for him to only soar as much as, I do not know, seventh gear. Simply go and throw punches, struggle elusive, struggle with ardour. As a result of he is all the time combating in a single mode. Swap it up. That is your profession. Your window is getting smaller and smaller. Reap the benefits of it. That is one other alternative with Joe Smith – and he is no stroll within the park. But when Zurdo beats Joe Smith impressively, then he is again on high.”
The 32-year-old, 14-year professional Ramirez has additionally set lofty targets for himself shifting ahead.
“Yeah, sooner or later, why not [make a heavyweight run],” I am [6 foot 2 inches tall] and I can develop extra muscle. It is going to be thrilling to maneuver up. I need to problem myself. That is why I bought into boxing,” mentioned Ramirez.
Manouk Akopyan is a sports activities journalist, author, and broadcast reporter. He’s additionally a member of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America and the MMA Journalists Affiliation. He will be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, by way of e-mail at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com, or through www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
