Gilberto Ramirez must face mandatory challenger before Jai Opetaia unification
Gilberto Ramirez, the unified cruiserweight champion, has been one of the most dominant figures in the division, securing major victories in 2023. He captured the WBA cruiserweight title by outpointing Arsen Goulamirian in March and later defeated Chris Billam-Smith to claim the WBO strap. These performances solidified Ramirez’s status as one of the best in the 200-pound weight class, setting him up for a much-anticipated unification fight with Jai Opetaia.
Opetaia’s Challenge and the Potential Blockbuster Fight
After his impressive fourth-round stoppage of David Nyika earlier this month, Jai Opetaia, the IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight champion, immediately made it clear that he wanted to unify the titles by challenging Ramirez. The Australian champion, with a record of 27-0 (21 KOs), is eager to face the Mexican and add the WBA title to his collection, making it a potential blockbuster fight. The boxing world has eagerly awaited the unification clash, but first, Ramirez has a mandatory defense on his hands.
Mandatory Defense Against Yuniel Dorticos
Before the highly anticipated showdown with Opetaia, Ramirez must face Yuniel Dorticos, the WBA’s mandatory challenger. Dorticos, a seasoned Cuban fighter, claimed the IBF cruiserweight title in 2019, defeating Andrew Tabiti, but lost the belt in a subsequent bout with Mairis Briedis. Since then, Dorticos has built a three-fight winning streak, all by stoppage, against lower-level opponents. His performance has earned him this mandatory shot at Ramirez’s titles.
The Importance of the February 15 Deadline
The WBA has set a deadline of February 15 for Ramirez and Dorticos to reach an agreement for the fight. This is a critical moment for Ramirez, who is forced to focus on defending his titles against Dorticos before moving on to a potential unification with Opetaia. With the mandatory defense looming, Ramirez cannot afford to look past the Cuban contender, whose experience and power make him a formidable opponent.
What’s Next for Ramirez and Opetaia
While fans are eager to see Ramirez and Opetaia in the ring for a unification clash, the mandatory defense against Dorticos puts a temporary halt to those plans. However, both Ramirez and Opetaia remain active in their pursuit of greatness, and the cruiserweight division is poised for an exciting few years ahead. The winner of Ramirez vs. Dorticos will eventually move closer to a showdown with Opetaia for the undisputed cruiserweight title.
Conclusion: Ramirez’s Path to Unification
Gilberto Ramirez’s path to unifying the cruiserweight division has hit a small obstacle in the form of Yuniel Dorticos. But after he takes care of this mandatory defense, the potential unification fight with Jai Opetaia is on the horizon, making for an exciting future in the 200-pound division. Fans will have to wait a little longer, but the anticipation for the ultimate showdown grows stronger with each passing day.
