Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith this weekend in a world title unification clash

Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (46-1, 30 KOs) will fight Chris Billam-Smith (20-1) in a world title unification in cruiserweight on November 16 in Riyad, Saudi Arabia.

The fight will be for WBA and WBO world cruiserweight titles.

Ramirez won the WBA title in March this year dethroning Arsen Goulamirian. Ramirez won via unanimous decision.

Billam-Smith last fought in June this year defending title against Richard Riakporhe.

Ramirez has won world titles in two different weight classes.

“To have 47 fights and 46 wins, and your only loss being to Dmitry Bivol, having won a world title at two different weights, you don’t get there by luck,” Billam-Smith said for “Boxing Scene”. “You get there with a lot of hard work and skill and all the other attributes that you need to become a champion and stay one and compete at that top level. He’s got some great names on his record.

“He’s beaten a longstanding champion at cruiserweight in Goulamirian. And the fact his only loss is to Dmitry Bivol, who’s obviously a very, very skilled operator and one of the best of this generation, then I think you have to respect that. And when I watch him, he’s got a lot of different skills. He ticks a huge amount of boxes. There’s not really anything he doesn’t do very well. He’s a very well-rounded boxer. There’s not any glaring weaknesses there. So yeah, that’s why I respect him.”