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Light heavyweight contender Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez 43-0 (39) has refused to wait around for a world title shot, opting instead to face Dominic Boesel 32-2 (12) at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California on May 14.
The undefeated former WBO super middleweight champion is the number two contender to WBA 175-pound champion Dmitry Bivol 19-0 (11) while Germany’s Boesel is ranked number one.
Bivol is set to defend his title against Mexican superstar and undisputed super middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 57-1-2 (39) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 7.
The other major titleholders in the division are WBC and IBF champion Artur Beterbiev 17-0 (17) and WBO boss Joe Smith Jr 28-3 (22). The pair will meet at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden on June 18.
The 30-year-old Ramirez wasn’t prepared to sit on the sidelines to see how the division shakes out.
“Boesel is the number one European light heavyweight who has all the accolades to make this a challenging fight,” Ramirez said.
“Of course, Bivol, Beterbiev and Smith are still at the top of my list, but they were all unavailable. Even though they are on the top of my list, I’m not waiting for them, I’ve got my own legacy to chase.
“I’ve said before, Beterbiev and Smith are average fighters at best and they know not to mention my name. Bivol was close to making it happen, but he got the Canelo opportunity, so I don’t blame him.”
The Mexican southpaw held the WBO super middleweight title from 2016 to 2018, winning the belt from Arthur Abraham and defending it five times before deciding to move up in weight.
The 32-year-old Boesel has fought on the road before but never in the United States. His best win was arguably his split decision victory over veteran Robin Krasniqi last October. Boesel was previously stopped by Krasniqi in three a year earlier.
Ramirez has vowed not to overlook Boesel in his bid to become a two-weight world champion.
“I’m looking forward to this challenge,” Ramirez added. “He knows this fight can change his life. I’m the best light heavyweight in the world, but I still need to bring my best come fight night.
“I will have an advantage in experience, but I can’t take him lightly because, he’s a longtime pro who knows how to take advantage of the moment.”
But it’s not just a 175-pound championship belt that Ramirez is after. At almost six-foot-three, he envisages himself not only claiming a strap at cruiserweight, but also bulking up to heavyweight and picking up a bauble there.
It is an ambitious goal, but one he insists he is capable of achieving.
“I still plan on moving up to cruiserweight and eventually heavyweight,” Ramirez said. “It’s always been my goal to be a four-division world champion.”
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