What’s Next For Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez?
Golden Boy Promotions has a clear path for Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez. Following his unification victory over Chris Billam-Smith in Riyadh, the Mexican cruiserweight champion now faces Yuniel Dorticós, the WBA’s mandatory challenger. This showdown is crucial in Ramírez’s goal to unify the cruiserweight division.
In exchange for financial compensation, Dorticós’ camp had agreed to allow Ramírez to face Billam-Smith. They also made a binding agreement for the mandatory fight with the winner. Now that Ramírez holds the unified title, it’s time to honor that agreement and make the highly anticipated bout a reality.
Golden Boy’s Plans For 2025
Eric Gómez, President of Golden Boy Promotions, recently outlined the strategy for the upcoming year. In a conversation on the Fight Freaks Unite podcast, Gómez said, “Our preliminary plan is to handle the mandatory first, then we’ll aim for unification.” He added that Ramírez is currently enjoying a well-deserved break before negotiations officially begin.
The proposed timeline suggests that the fight between Ramírez and Dorticós will take place in the first half of 2025. There’s growing speculation that Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh, who oversees combat sports in the region, may include this bout in the next Riyadh Season lineup.
Dorticós: A Champion With Power And Experience
Yuniel Dorticós (27-2, 24 KO) remains a formidable contender. The Cuban knockout artist showed his power by defeating Alan Campa in the first round in June 2024, reinforcing his readiness for another title run. At 38, Dorticós has worked through inactivity and now targets a third cruiserweight world title.
Dorticós has twice reached the World Boxing Super Series finals, and from 2017 to 2020, he held both the WBA and IBF cruiserweight titles. With his impressive resume, Dorticós is no stranger to big fights. His promoter, Luis De Cubas, emphasized: “Our goal is to see Dorticós become champion again. The fight with Ramírez is guaranteed and must happen.”
Stay tuned to Fajador.co for updates on this thrilling matchup and all things combat sports.
