Gilberto Ramirez easily outpointed Arsen Goulamirian to take the Frenchman’s 200-pound title on Saturday in Inglewood, California.
Gilberto Ramirez is a two-division champion. And he accomplished the feat fairly easily.
The former 168-pound titleholder defeated Arsen Goulamirian by a one-sided decision to take the Frenchman’s WBA belt Saturday night at YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California.
All three judges had the same score, 118-110, 10 rounds to two.
Ramirez (46-1, 30 KOs) is only two fights removed from his lopsided loss to pound-for-pounder Dmitry Bivol in a 175-pound title-unification bout in 2022.
Goulamirian is no Bivol. On top of that, the now-former beltholder had fought only once in four-plus years, which didn’t help his cause.
Indeed, Ramirez had his way with his naturally bigger opponent, outboxing him throughout but also getting the better of him when they exchanged punches inside. The winner was never hurt.
Thus, the scoring was not surprising.
With the victory, Ramirez, a 32-year-old from Mazatlan, became the first Mexican to win a major 200-pound title. And he said he’s not finished writing his unusual story. He intends to move up to heavyweight at some point.
No Mexican national has ever won a major heavyweight title.
Goulamirian (27-1, 19 KOs) was upgraded to full WBA champion in September 2019. He had three successful defenses spread over two years before losing his belt.
Gilberto Ramirez is on the brink of making history again, this time at 200 pounds. He’ll face titleholder Arsen Goulamirian on Friday.
Gilberto Ramirez has fought as light as 158½ pounds. Now he’s talking about moving up to heavyweight soon.
Yes, “Zurdo” is trying to follow in the footsteps of such legends as Bob Fitzsimmons, Floyd Patterson and Roy Jones Jr., relatively small, but talented and determined men who accomplished great things in the highest weight classes.
His next challenge comes Saturday at YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, where he’ll challenge 200-pound beltholder Arsen Goulamirian in a bid to become the first Mexican cruiserweight champion (DAZN).
“It is an honor to be able to be the main event at YouTube Theater and make a statement and potentially become a legend. This is my motivation,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez (45-1, 30 KOs) had known nothing but success against solid opposition until a year and a half ago. The now-32-year-old southpaw shut out Arthur Abraham to become the first Mexican to win a 168-pound title in 2016 and also twice beat Jesse Hart at that weight.
He moved up to 175 in 2019 and took down a series of capable opponents, including Sullivan Barrera and Yunieski Gonzalez.
Then came disaster. He challenged 175-pound beltholder and pound-for-pounder Dmitry Bivol and was outclassed in November 2022, losing a one-sided sided decision and much of the luster on his resume.
Following that he missed weight by a whopping 7.6 pounds for a 175-pound bout with Gabriel Rosado that was canceled in March of last year, further damaging his reputation.
His next move was obvious: Move up to cruiserweight. And his choice of opponent was clever: Joe Smith Jr., a well-known former 175-pound beltholder who also was moving up in weight. They agreed on a 193-pound catch weight.
The result got Ramirez moving in the right direction once again. An excellent technician, he outboxed the powerful, but limited Smith to win nine out of the 10 rounds on all three cards.
The victory earned him a shot at Goulamirian (27-0, 19 KOs), a Frenchman who has fought once in four-plus years but has ability and has fought at 200 pounds his entire career.
Ramirez told RingTV.com that he’s now a natural 200-pounder.
“I feel great at this new weight class,” he told the outlet. “It’s my natural weight and there is not too much cutting. I walk around at 210, 215 all year round, so making 200 is a breeze compared to 175 or 168.
“After moving up in the weight class, I’ve been working on my strength and boxing. I feel the work that I put will allow me to be strong in pocket and trade any shots with him. My overall strength and skill set will be the difference.”
Ramirez’s goal is to do what he couldn’t do at 175, win a major title, and then go on to even bigger and better things.
“The only thing I know is that he has what I want (the WBA cruiserweight title) and I’m going to take it,” he said. “I’m here to stay and conquer the division before moving up to the heavyweight division.
“I know there isn’t too many fighters my size from my country, so I have to represent well. Viva Mexico!”
Gilberto Ramirez is on the brink of making history again, this time at 200 pounds. He’ll face titleholder Arsen Goulamirian on Friday.
Gilberto Ramirez has fought as light as 158½ pounds. Now he’s talking about moving up to heavyweight soon.
Yes, “Zurdo” is trying to follow in the footsteps of such legends as Bob Fitzsimmons, Floyd Patterson and Roy Jones Jr., relatively small, but talented and determined men who accomplished great things in the highest weight classes.
His next challenge comes Saturday at YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, where he’ll challenge 200-pound beltholder Arsen Goulamirian in a bid to become the first Mexican cruiserweight champion (DAZN).
“It is an honor to be able to be the main event at YouTube Theater and make a statement and potentially become a legend. This is my motivation,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez (45-1, 30 KOs) had known nothing but success against solid opposition until a year and a half ago. The now-32-year-old southpaw shut out Arthur Abraham to become the first Mexican to win a 168-pound title in 2016 and also twice beat Jesse Hart at that weight.
He moved up to 175 in 2019 and took down a series of capable opponents, including Sullivan Barrera and Yunieski Gonzalez.
Then came disaster. He challenged 175-pound beltholder and pound-for-pounder Dmitry Bivol and was outclassed in November 2022, losing a one-sided sided decision and much of the luster on his resume.
Following that he missed weight by a whopping 7.6 pounds for a 175-pound bout with Gabriel Rosado that was canceled in March of last year, further damaging his reputation.
His next move was obvious: Move up to cruiserweight. And his choice of opponent was clever: Joe Smith Jr., a well-known former 175-pound beltholder who also was moving up in weight. They agreed on a 193-pound catch weight.
The result got Ramirez moving in the right direction once again. An excellent technician, he outboxed the powerful, but limited Smith to win nine out of the 10 rounds on all three cards.
The victory earned him a shot at Goulamirian (27-0, 19 KOs), a Frenchman who has fought once in four-plus years but has ability and has fought at 200 pounds his entire career.
Ramirez told RingTV.com that he’s now a natural 200-pounder.
“I feel great at this new weight class,” he told the outlet. “It’s my natural weight and there is not too much cutting. I walk around at 210, 215 all year round, so making 200 is a breeze compared to 175 or 168.
“After moving up in the weight class, I’ve been working on my strength and boxing. I feel the work that I put will allow me to be strong in pocket and trade any shots with him. My overall strength and skill set will be the difference.”
Ramirez’s goal is to do what he couldn’t do at 175, win a major title, and then go on to even bigger and better things.
“The only thing I know is that he has what I want (the WBA cruiserweight title) and I’m going to take it,” he said. “I’m here to stay and conquer the division before moving up to the heavyweight division.
“I know there isn’t too many fighters my size from my country, so I have to represent well. Viva Mexico!”
Odds: Ramirez 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Significance (up to five stars): ****
Also on the card: Alexis Rocha vs. Fredrick Lawson, welterweights; Ricardo Sandoval vs. Luis Hernandez, flyweights; Santiago Dominguez vs. Jose Sanchez, welterweights; Kareem Hackett vs. Rowdy Montgomenry, light heavyweights
Background: Goulamirian will be defending his 200-pound title for the fifth time but has been unusually inactive over the past four-plus years, a period in which the California-based Frenchman has fought only once. He was out of the ring for three years between 2019 and 2022 because of illness (COVID 19) and other issues. He finally returned in November 2022, when he easily outpointed Aleksei Ergorov in France. The 36-year-old trains with Abel Sanchez in Big Bear, California. The well-connected Ramirez is getting his second title shot in three fights, having lost a one-sided decision to 175-pound champ Dmitry Bivol in 2022. He bounced back to outclass former beltholder Joe Smith Jr. in his 200-pound debut last October, winning a near-shutout decision. Ramirez is a former 168-pound titleholder.
Odds: Ramirez 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Significance (up to five stars): ****
Also on the card: Alexis Rocha vs. Fredrick Lawson, welterweights; Ricardo Sandoval vs. Luis Hernandez, flyweights; Santiago Dominguez vs. Jose Sanchez, welterweights; Kareem Hackett vs. Rowdy Montgomenry, light heavyweights
Background: Goulamirian will be defending his 200-pound title for the fifth time but has been unusually inactive over the past four-plus years, a period in which the California-based Frenchman has fought only once. He was out of the ring for three years between 2019 and 2022 because of illness (COVID 19) and other issues. He finally returned in November 2022, when he easily outpointed Aleksei Ergorov in France. The 36-year-old trains with Abel Sanchez in Big Bear, California. The well-connected Ramirez is getting his second title shot in three fights, having lost a one-sided decision to 175-pound champ Dmitry Bivol in 2022. He bounced back to outclass former beltholder Joe Smith Jr. in his 200-pound debut last October, winning a near-shutout decision. Ramirez is a former 168-pound titleholder.
Fight Week: Tim Tszyu’s title defense against Sebastian Fundora highlights a stacked weekend of boxing.
FIGHT WEEK
Rising star Tim Tszyu is scheduled to defend his 154-pound title against replacement opponent Sebastian Fundora on a busy weekend in boxing.
OSCAR VALDEZ (31-2, 23 KOs)
VS. LIAM WILSON (13-2, 7 KOs)
Date: Friday, March 29
Time: 6:05 p.m. ET / 3:05 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona
TV/Stream: ESPN+
Division: Junior lightweight (130 pounds)
At stake: No major titles
Pound-for-pound: None
Odds: Valdez 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Significance (up to five stars): ***
Also on the card: Yokasta Valle vs. Seniesa Estrada, strawweights (for Valle’s IBF, WBO and Estrada’s WBA, WBC titles); Raymond Muratalla vs. Xolisani Ndongeni, lightweights; Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Don Haynesworth, heavyweights
Background: Valdez is on the comeback trail once again. The former two-division titleholder from Mexico was outclassed by Shakur Stevenson in a 130-pound title-unification bout in 2022, losing a one-sided decision. He bounced back to outpoint Adam Lopez a year later. However, he suffered another wide-decision setback in an entertaining scrap against beltholder Emanuel Navarrete last August, which further damaged his reputation. Wilson, a former title challenger, is a clear underdog but no pushover. He put Navarrete down and hurt him before he was stopped himself in Round 9 of a competitive battle for a vacant 130-pound belt in February of last year. The resident of Queensland outpointed two second-tier opponents since the loss, including a unanimous, but close decision over countryman Jackson Jon England. Also on the March 29 card, Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) and Seniesa Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) will fight for the undisputed strawweight championship. They hold two belts apiece.
TIM TSZYU (24-0, 17 KOs) VS.
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA (20-1-1, 13 KOs)
Date: Saturday, March 30
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
TV/Stream: Pay-per-view ($69.99 in U.S.)
Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
At stake: Tszyu’s WBO and vacant WBC titles
Pound-for-pound: None
Odds: Tszyu 4½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Significance (up to five stars): *****
Also on the card: Rolando Romero vs. Isaac Cruz, junior welterweights (for Romero’s title); Erislandy Lara vs. Michael Zerafa, middleweights (for Lara’s WBA title); Elijah Garcia vs. Kyrone Davis, middleweights; Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Angel Cordova, flyweights (for Martinez’s WBC title); Serhii Bohachuk vs. Brian Mendoza, junior middleweights
Background: Tszyu was scheduled to face veteran Keith Thurman but Thurman pulled out of the fight after injuring his biceps less than two weeks before the opening bell. Fundora, scheduled to fight Bohachuk on the card, agreed to step in and challenge Tszyu. The champion has established himself as an elite fighter with a series of impressive performances, including convincing victories over Terrell Gausha, Tony Harrison, Carlos Ocampo and Brian Mendoza in his last four fights. He was expected to fight then-undisputed champion Jermell Charlo last year but Charlo ended up challenging 168-pound champ Canelo Alvarez and was stripped of his WBO belt at the opening bell. That allowed Tszyu to be elevated from “interim” beltholder to full champion before the Mendoza fight. Fundora was fortunate to get a shot at Tszyu in light of the fact he’s coming off the first loss of his career, a seventh-round knockout against Mendoza in April of last year. The 6-foot-5½ slugger was winning the fight when he was stopped by a brutal three-punch combination. Fundora had given a series of strong performances before his setback, including a ninth-round stoppage of Erickson Lubin in 2022. Also on the card, veteran Erislandy Lara (29-3-3, 17 KOs) will defend his 160-pound title against Michael Zerafa (31-4, 19 KOs). Lara is 40 years old. And Julio Cesar Martinez (20-3, 15 KOs) will defend his 112-pound belt against Angel Cordova (18-0-1, 12 KOs).
Odds: Ramirez 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Significance (up to five stars): ****
Also on the card: Alexis Rocha vs. Fredrick Lawson, welterweights; Ricardo Sandoval vs. Luis Hernandez, flyweights; Santiago Dominguez vs. Jose Sanchez, welterweights; Kareem Hackett vs. Rowdy Montgomenry, light heavyweights
Background: Goulamirian will be defending his 200-pound title for the fifth time but has been unusually inactive over the past four-plus years, a period in which the California-based Frenchman has fought only once. He was out of the ring for three years between 2019 and 2022 because of illness (COVID 19) and other issues. He finally returned in November 2022, when he easily outpointed Aleksei Ergorov in France. The 36-year-old trains with Abel Sanchez in Big Bear, California. The well-connected Ramirez is getting his second title shot in three fights, having lost a one-sided decision to 175-pound champ Dmitry Bivol in 2022. He bounced back to outclass former beltholder Joe Smith Jr. in his 200-pound debut last October, winning a near-shutout decision. Ramirez is a former 168-pound titleholder.
Odds: Shigeoka 6-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Significance (up to five stars): ****
Also on the card: Ginjiro Shigeoka vs. ArAr Andales, strawweights (for Shigeoka’s IBF title); Lerato Dlamani vs. Tomoki Kameda, featherweights; Riku Kunimoto vs. Eiki Kani, middleweights; Mark Dickinson vs. Anauel Ngamissengue, middleweights; Aaron McKenna vs. Jeovanny Estela, middleweights; Kieron Conway vs. Ainiwaer Yilixiati, middleweights
Background: The Shigeoka brothers – 26-year-old Yudai and 24-year-old Ginjiro – will both be defending their 105-pound titles in their home country. Yudai, an offense-minded fighter with power, got off to a slow start in his career – losing two of his first three fights – but he’s unbeaten in his next eight. That includes his convincing decision over then-titleholder Panya Pradabsri last October, giving Shigeoka his first major belt. His opponent on Sunday, Jerusalem, lost his own strawweight title to young star Oscar Collazo last May, getting stopped in seven rounds. The Filipino rebounded by outpointing journeyman Francis Jay Diaz last October in the Philippines. Ginjiro Shigeoka (10-0, 8 KOs) also is aggressive and has heavy hands. The younger Shigeoka’s first title shot ended in disappointment, when then-champ Daniel Valladares was cut by an accidental head butt and the fight was declared a no-contest in January of last year. However, two fights later, Shigeoka stopped the Mexican in five rounds to become a world champion. That fight took place in October. Shigeoka’s opponent on Sunday is ArAr Andales, a light-punching Filipino who is coming off back-to-back draws against Tsubasa Koura and Wilfredo Mendez in 2022 and in October, respectively. Andales (14-2-3, 6 KOs) has three draws in his last four fights.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
WEDNESDAY
Joseph Adorno vs. Nicholas Walters, lightweights, Plant City, Florida (ProBox TV)
THURSDAY
Juan Carrillo vs. Quinton Rankin, light heavyweights, Detroit (DAZN)
FRIDAY
Elijah Pierce vs. Arthur Villanueva, bantamweights, Atlanta (DAZN)
SATURDAY
Luis Lopez vs. Jesus Resendiz, welterweights, Long Beach, California (Fubo Sports)
SUNDAY
Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke, heavyweights, London (Peacock)
Fight Week: Tim Tszyu’s title defense against Sebastian Fundora highlights a stacked weekend of boxing.
FIGHT WEEK
Rising star Tim Tszyu is scheduled to defend his 154-pound title against replacement opponent Sebastian Fundora on a busy weekend in boxing.
OSCAR VALDEZ (31-2, 23 KOs)
VS. LIAM WILSON (13-2, 7 KOs)
Date: Friday, March 29
Time: 6:05 p.m. ET / 3:05 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona
TV/Stream: ESPN+
Division: Junior lightweight (130 pounds)
At stake: No major titles
Pound-for-pound: None
Odds: Valdez 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Significance (up to five stars): ***
Also on the card: Yokasta Valle vs. Seniesa Estrada, strawweights (for Valle’s IBF, WBO and Estrada’s WBA, WBC titles); Raymond Muratalla vs. Xolisani Ndongeni, lightweights; Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Don Haynesworth, heavyweights
Background: Valdez is on the comeback trail once again. The former two-division titleholder from Mexico was outclassed by Shakur Stevenson in a 130-pound title-unification bout in 2022, losing a one-sided decision. He bounced back to outpoint Adam Lopez a year later. However, he suffered another wide-decision setback in an entertaining scrap against beltholder Emanuel Navarrete last August, which further damaged his reputation. Wilson, a former title challenger, is a clear underdog but no pushover. He put Navarrete down and hurt him before he was stopped himself in Round 9 of a competitive battle for a vacant 130-pound belt in February of last year. The resident of Queensland outpointed two second-tier opponents since the loss, including a unanimous, but close decision over countryman Jackson Jon England. Also on the March 29 card, Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) and Seniesa Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) will fight for the undisputed strawweight championship. They hold two belts apiece.
TIM TSZYU (24-0, 17 KOs) VS.
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA (20-1-1, 13 KOs)
Date: Saturday, March 30
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
TV/Stream: Pay-per-view ($69.99 in U.S.)
Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
At stake: Tszyu’s WBO and vacant WBC titles
Pound-for-pound: None
Odds: Tszyu 4½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Significance (up to five stars): *****
Also on the card: Rolando Romero vs. Isaac Cruz, junior welterweights (for Romero’s title); Erislandy Lara vs. Michael Zerafa, middleweights (for Lara’s WBA title); Elijah Garcia vs. Kyrone Davis, middleweights; Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Angel Cordova, flyweights (for Martinez’s WBC title); Serhii Bohachuk vs. Brian Mendoza, junior middleweights
Background: Tszyu was scheduled to face veteran Keith Thurman but Thurman pulled out of the fight after injuring his biceps less than two weeks before the opening bell. Fundora, scheduled to fight Bohachuk on the card, agreed to step in and challenge Tszyu. The champion has established himself as an elite fighter with a series of impressive performances, including convincing victories over Terrell Gausha, Tony Harrison, Carlos Ocampo and Brian Mendoza in his last four fights. He was expected to fight then-undisputed champion Jermell Charlo last year but Charlo ended up challenging 168-pound champ Canelo Alvarez and was stripped of his WBO belt at the opening bell. That allowed Tszyu to be elevated from “interim” beltholder to full champion before the Mendoza fight. Fundora was fortunate to get a shot at Tszyu in light of the fact he’s coming off the first loss of his career, a seventh-round knockout against Mendoza in April of last year. The 6-foot-5½ slugger was winning the fight when he was stopped by a brutal three-punch combination. Fundora had given a series of strong performances before his setback, including a ninth-round stoppage of Erickson Lubin in 2022. Also on the card, veteran Erislandy Lara (29-3-3, 17 KOs) will defend his 160-pound title against Michael Zerafa (31-4, 19 KOs). Lara is 40 years old. And Julio Cesar Martinez (20-3, 15 KOs) will defend his 112-pound belt against Angel Cordova (18-0-1, 12 KOs).
Odds: Ramirez 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Significance (up to five stars): ****
Also on the card: Alexis Rocha vs. Fredrick Lawson, welterweights; Ricardo Sandoval vs. Luis Hernandez, flyweights; Santiago Dominguez vs. Jose Sanchez, welterweights; Kareem Hackett vs. Rowdy Montgomenry, light heavyweights
Background: Goulamirian will be defending his 200-pound title for the fifth time but has been unusually inactive over the past four-plus years, a period in which the California-based Frenchman has fought only once. He was out of the ring for three years between 2019 and 2022 because of illness (COVID 19) and other issues. He finally returned in November 2022, when he easily outpointed Aleksei Ergorov in France. The 36-year-old trains with Abel Sanchez in Big Bear, California. The well-connected Ramirez is getting his second title shot in three fights, having lost a one-sided decision to 175-pound champ Dmitry Bivol in 2022. He bounced back to outclass former beltholder Joe Smith Jr. in his 200-pound debut last October, winning a near-shutout decision. Ramirez is a former 168-pound titleholder.
Odds: Shigeoka 6-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Significance (up to five stars): ****
Also on the card: Ginjiro Shigeoka vs. ArAr Andales, strawweights (for Shigeoka’s IBF title); Lerato Dlamani vs. Tomoki Kameda, featherweights; Riku Kunimoto vs. Eiki Kani, middleweights; Mark Dickinson vs. Anauel Ngamissengue, middleweights; Aaron McKenna vs. Jeovanny Estela, middleweights; Kieron Conway vs. Ainiwaer Yilixiati, middleweights
Background: The Shigeoka brothers – 26-year-old Yudai and 24-year-old Ginjiro – will both be defending their 105-pound titles in their home country. Yudai, an offense-minded fighter with power, got off to a slow start in his career – losing two of his first three fights – but he’s unbeaten in his next eight. That includes his convincing decision over then-titleholder Panya Pradabsri last October, giving Shigeoka his first major belt. His opponent on Sunday, Jerusalem, lost his own strawweight title to young star Oscar Collazo last May, getting stopped in seven rounds. The Filipino rebounded by outpointing journeyman Francis Jay Diaz last October in the Philippines. Ginjiro Shigeoka (10-0, 8 KOs) also is aggressive and has heavy hands. The younger Shigeoka’s first title shot ended in disappointment, when then-champ Daniel Valladares was cut by an accidental head butt and the fight was declared a no-contest in January of last year. However, two fights later, Shigeoka stopped the Mexican in five rounds to become a world champion. That fight took place in October. Shigeoka’s opponent on Sunday is ArAr Andales, a light-punching Filipino who is coming off back-to-back draws against Tsubasa Koura and Wilfredo Mendez in 2022 and in October, respectively. Andales (14-2-3, 6 KOs) has three draws in his last four fights.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
WEDNESDAY
Joseph Adorno vs. Nicholas Walters, lightweights, Plant City, Florida (ProBox TV)
THURSDAY
Juan Carrillo vs. Quinton Rankin, light heavyweights, Detroit (DAZN)
FRIDAY
Elijah Pierce vs. Arthur Villanueva, bantamweights, Atlanta (DAZN)
SATURDAY
Luis Lopez vs. Jesus Resendiz, welterweights, Long Beach, California (Fubo Sports)
SUNDAY
Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke, heavyweights, London (Peacock)
