Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez Dominates Chris Billam-Smith to Become Unified Cruiserweight Champion

In a high-stakes unification clash on Saturday night in Riyadh, Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez showcased his skill and determination, defeating Chris Billam-Smith to claim the unified WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles. The Mexican southpaw demonstrated why he’s among the division’s elite, delivering a commanding performance that solidified his position as a top contender.

Ramirez’s Speed and Precision Secure Victory

The bout opened with Billam-Smith attempting to impose his physicality in the first round. However, Ramirez turned the tide in the second, leveraging his superior hand speed and footwork to control the pace. His straight left—a key weapon throughout the fight—repeatedly troubled Billam-Smith, disrupting his rhythm and scoring significant points.

The fight’s pivotal moment came in the fourth round when Ramirez landed a sharp right hand, opening a cut above Billam-Smith’s eye. As the swelling worsened, Ramirez capitalized, employing combination punches and clever ring movement to maintain dominance. His ring IQ and strategic approach left Billam-Smith struggling to adapt.

By the 10th round, Ramirez held a significant lead on the scorecards. Billam-Smith rallied in the 11th with relentless pressure, winning the round on many observers’ cards. However, Ramirez closed the fight strongly, landing the cleaner, more impactful punches in the 12th round. The judges awarded Ramirez a unanimous decision with scores of 116-112 (twice) and 116-113.

What’s Next for Ramirez and Billam-Smith?

After his victory, Ramirez expressed gratitude and ambition, stating, “I feel great. I’m unified champion… It’s an honor for me to fight him and get the belt.” With this triumph, Ramirez is now in line for a potential showdown with IBF champion Jai Opetaia, a clash likely to garner significant Saudi support.

Despite the loss, Billam-Smith remained optimistic, saying, “He’s very good. We’ll have to assess and keep improving.” His determination to bounce back signals that he remains a threat in the cruiserweight division.

Undercard Highlights

The undercard provided fans with thrilling matchups:

• Oscar Collazo dominated Thammanoon Niyomtrong to secure a resounding win at minimumweight.
• William Zepeda overcame a fourth-round knockdown to edge Tevin Farmer in a closely contested split decision.

This action-packed evening left boxing fans eager to see Ramirez’s next challenge in the cruiserweight division and to follow the progress of rising stars from the undercard.