Mexican boxer Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez triumphed over Britain’s Chris Billam-Smith in Riyadh, winning on points to claim the unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles.
Ramirez dominated the contest, with the judges scoring it 116-112, 116-112, and 116-113 in his favor, securing a well-deserved victory.
The win moves Ramirez’s record to 47-1, with his sole professional loss coming at the hands of former light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.
In Saudi Arabia, Ramirez showcased his superior skills, maintaining a high volume of punches throughout the fight. Although Billam-Smith fought valiantly, staying on his feet for all 12 rounds, he was unable to match Ramirez’s relentless pressure and technical prowess.
For Billam-Smith, the defeat marks just the second loss of his career, his first being to Richard Riakporhe in 2019. Despite the setback, the Bournemouth fighter remained composed in the aftermath, acknowledging his opponent’s superior consistency.
In the ring, Billam-Smith reflected: “I guess there’s a bit of irony. My initials are CBS, and I always say ‘consistency builds success.’ He had that tonight. He deserved the win, and I have a huge amount of respect for him.”
He continued, “Now, I’ll take a rest, enjoy Christmas, and then we’ll go back to the gym and keep improving.”
On the other hand, Ramirez’s victory marked another milestone in his move up to cruiserweight, where he has quickly established himself as a dominant force, winning a second world title in only his second fight in the division.
“I feel great. I’m a true champion, everyone saw that,” Ramirez said after the fight. “I knew Billam-Smith was tough and strong, a true champion in his own right. It was an honor to fight him and win the belt.”
Looking ahead, Ramirez set his sights on further unification of the cruiserweight division: “Next, I want to unify with all the champions. That’s my main goal.”
With this impressive performance, Ramirez has positioned himself as one of the top fighters in the cruiserweight division, and fans are eagerly anticipating his next steps in his quest to become the undisputed champion.
