LOS ANGELES, CA (September 22, 2022) Today, undefeated, former WBO Super Middleweight World Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) hosted a special Los Angeles Media Roundtable at Golden Boy offices to discuss his upcoming 12-round championship fight against also undefeated Dmitry Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) for the WBA Light Heavyweight World Title on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The fight will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.

In addition to Zurdo, LA fan favorite and former IBF Super Featherweight title holder Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, Jr. (32-2-1, 15 KOs) and undefeated, rising lightweight division star William “El Camarón” Zepeda (26-0, 23 KOs) discussed their upcoming 12-round, crossroads fight set to take place at the Pechanga Arena San Diego on Saturday, Oct. 29 on DAZN. Alexis “Lex” Rocha (20-1, 13 KOs), who will be on the Diaz, Jr. vs. Zepeda undercard, also participated in the media roundtable and will face a soon-to-be-announced opponent in a 10-round welterweight fight to defend his NABO title.

Here is what the fighters had to say:

JOSEPH “JOJO” DIAZ, JR. – FORMER IBF SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION:
“I’m very excited because I know William Zepeda is a young, hungry fighter that is 26-0, with 23 knockouts and I know he is going to try bring it his all.

“This fight represents everything to my career right now. I’m coming off a defeat against Devin Haney. Unfortunately, the fight didn’t turn out the way I hoped.

“I’m ready to showcase everyone why I’m considered one of the best fighters in the world.

“I think William Zepeda is a one-dimensional fighter that is just going to apply a lot of pressure. If he thinks that I’m going to be the type of guy that is going to back away and shy away from any type of smoke, he got me [expletive] up. I’m going to be out there throwing as much and he is throwing.

“On October 29, he is going the be the live dog out there. I’m going to be the live dog. But I’m going to come out victorious.”

WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA – LIGHTWEIGHT CONTENDER:
“I am very excited and very content about being able to participate in a match where a great fighter fights another great fighter.

“If I get the win against JoJo, this would be a great way for people to get to know me – a grand victory against a great rival who used to be a world champion. They are going to know that “El Camarón” is the best.

“JoJo is an aggressive and dangerous fighter with experience. But I will continue to prepare and train hard. This division is a very attractive and stacked one. We all know that we are all talented.”

ALEXIS “LEX” ROCHA – NABO WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION:
“I’m very humbled and grateful for the Mexican-American fanbase behind me.

“This is what I wanted my whole life; the fans, the people, and the public is what I wanted. All those years of grinding since I was twelve years old. I gave up so much and scarified so much.

“People can say whatever about Santa Ana, but if you go to the diamond of the dirt, there are hard workers out there – people like me for example. We are trying to make it out and put our city on the map. It’s a privilege to be from Santa Ana.

“Boxing helped me get out of the danger. I was hanging out with the wrong kids at school, and I knew that if I hung out with them at night I wouldn’t get anywhere. Boxing definitely saved me.”

GILBERTO “ZURDO” RAMIREZ – UNDEFEATED, FORMER WBO SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION:

“I am very grateful to be able to take this fight against Bivol, especially since I am very ready for this. The entire world will see Zurdo Ramirez and all the potential I have.

“At the end of the day, it’s just going to be me, him [Dmitry Bivol] and the referee inside of the ring. No one can help him once he is in the ring with me.

“The hardest fight that one has is the fight against oneself. To rise up and to stay focused, not just in boxing but in life as well.”

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Diaz, Jr. vs. Zepeda is a 12-round fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The fight will take place on Saturday, October 29 and will be broadcast live exclusively on DAZN worldwide. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle” and “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts.”

Tickets for Diaz, Jr. vs. Zepeda are on sale and are priced at $125, $80, $60, $40 and $25 not including applicable service charges. Tickets will be available for purchase at AXS.com, PechangaArenaSD.com and GoldenBoyPromotions.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZN. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZNBoxing. Follow the conversation using #DiazJrZepeda

By Norm Frauenheim–

LAS VEGAS – Canelo Alvarez says he’s happy to be back on what he calls the path to greatness, a destination that suddenly grew elusive in a stunning loss to Dmitry Bivol four months ago.

It’s still there, of course. Canelo has always talked about greatness as though it’s his destiny. Bivol was just like that bumper sticker. Bleep happens.

Canelo intends to leave it behind and resume his march on history in a long-awaited and long-overdue third fight with Gennadiy Golovkin Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in a DAZN pay-per-view bout.

Everything seems to say that a victory over Golovkin will happen. GGG is 40, the same age Manny Pacquiao was when his career ended against late stand-in Yordenis Ugas a year ago. Canelo is nearly a 5-to-1 favorite.

Nobody gives GGG much of a chance. Then again, few would have ever guessed that Albert Pujols would be closing in on the 700-home-run milestone at 42-years-old either. Remember, bleep happens. Maybe, GGG channels Pujols and hits a homer here. But don’t bet on it.

Expect a Canelo victory. But greatness is different. It’s not an expectation. It’s an argument. At least, it is amid all the talk before GGG and Canelo resume their contentious rivalry.

Canelo, still boxing’s undisputed box-office draw, stirred up controversy about a month ago when asked if he would fight fellow Mexican Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez if Ramirez beats Bivol on Nov. 5.

“I don’t want to fight Mexicans,’’ Canelo said. “I represent Mexico.’’

The comment has been repeated and interpreted. According to one interpretation, Canelo was really saying he wouldn’t fight David Benavidez. The problem with that one is that Benavidez is Mexican-American. He’s from Phoenix. Over the last couple of years, Benavidez has emerged as the one super-middleweight fans would like to see fight Canelo.

But Canelo has moved on to other challenges against other 168-pound contenders, including Callum Smith or Caleb Plant or Billy Joe Saunders. He’s also moved up the scale, beating former light-heavyweight champ Sergey Kovalev and losing to Bivol. None of the moves have included Benavidez.

His comment about not fighting Mexicans, however, is just a further sign to Benavidez father-and-trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. that he never will.

Benavidez Sr. repeated what was said after David’s third-round blowout of David Lemieux last May in Glendale, Ariz. Then, Benavidez manager/promoter Sampson Lewkowicz told the media to forget about Canelo.

“Quit talking about David-versus-Canelo,’’ Lewkowicz said. “It’s fantasy.’’

In so many words, Jose Benavidez Sr. said the same thing four months later after a news conference Thursday at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

“It’ll never happen,’’ said Benavidez’ dad. who will be in Diego Pacheco’s corner for a super-middleweight bout against Enrique Collazo on Saturday’s undercard.

Then, Jose Benavidez had a lot more to say, suggesting that Canelo’s planned path to greatness can never happen without a fight against his son. The defining face of great in Mexican boxing is Julio Cesar Chavez.

Go to a barrio gym in Mexico or the United States. Chances are you’ll see at least one photo or poster of the legendary JCC. He’s the icon

“Julio Cesar Chavez became one by fighting everyone,’’ he said. “He fought Filipinos, he fought Americans. It didn’t matter. He fought everyone. Nationality didn’t matter. You only had to be a champion.

“There’s no other way to be great.’’

Boxing fans across the Emirates, the wider Arabian Gulf, and around the world can now secure seats for the UAE’s first-ever World Title fight – the historic WBA Light-Heavyweight Title showdown between Dmitry Bivol and Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez in Abu Dhabi.   

Organisers Matchroom Boxing and DCT Abu Dhabi have revealed tickets for the hotly anticipated bout at Etihad Arena are now on general sale with high demand from local, regional and international fans expected for Russian champion Bivol’s eye-catching title defence against Mexican challenger Ramirez.

The November 5 bout sees Bivol step into the Abu Dhabi ring on the back of defeating pound-for-pound superstar Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas to retain his World Title and extend his immaculate undefeated record to 20 fights. Ramirez will face Bivol having won all five of his fights at Light-Heavyweight after the hard-hitting southpaw moved up a weight class in 2019.

Tickets for the unprecedented event, which will include a stacked undercard, start at Dh 295, with limited VIP packages including ringside seats. All tickets are on sale at www.etihadarena.ae.

The historic fight night is the first event in Abu Dhabi’s new Champions Series, a landmark partnership between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Matchroom Boxing. And with both main event fighters putting their unblemished Light-Heavyweight records on the line, something has got to give, according to Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Boxing.

“We have seen a huge appetite for major boxing events in the region in recent years, so we were determined to bring something special to the UAE and boxing’s first world title fight in Abu Dhabi is certainly something special,” said Hearn. “The UAE capital has a growing reputation for hosting some of the world’s biggest sporting events and the Champions Series, through our partnership with DCT – Abu Dhabi, is only going to further enhance that reputation.

“Given the magnitude of this huge fight, with two undefeated boxers, a title on the line, and global interest in what promises to be an enthralling encounter, it’s safe to say we expect Bivol-Ramirez to sell out very quickly,” he added.

The Champions Series aims to provide fight fans around the globe with opportunities to experience world championship boxing in a new environment. Demonstrating global confidence in the emirate as a tourism destination, Hearn has already indicated the inaugural Champions Series event will be the first of many world-class boxing events to be held in the UAE capital in the future.

Bivol and Ramirez will lock horns just weeks after the biggest stars in basketball and the UFC grace Yas Island’s Etihad Arena as the UAE capital hosts the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 and UFC 280: OLIVEIRA VS MAKHACHEV.

Dmitry Bivol will defend his WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title against Mandatory Challenger Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Saturday November 5, live to subscribers worldwide on DAZN (excluding South Korea and MENA).

Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) is coming off a huge upset win over Mexican pound-for-pound superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in May, where he retained his 175lbs World Title via a unanimous decision to make it 20 wins from 20 fights.

The 31-year-old handed Alvarez only the second loss of his career, nine years on from his first at the hands of modern great Floyd Mayweather, and in doing so further cemented himself as one of the very best Light-Heavyweights on the planet.

Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) is a former WBO Super-Middleweight World Champion who has won all five of his fights at Light-Heavyweight inside the distance in impressive fashion since moving up in weight in 2019.

The heavy-handed Mexican southpaw emerged as the Mandatory Challenger to long-reigning champion Bivol, after a fourth-round knockout of Dominic Boesel in their May 14 title eliminator in Ontario, California.

“The fight with Zurdo has been brewing for some time, many things have been said,” said Bivol. “Now we have the chance to take care of things with our actions in the ring, and not our words outside of the ring.”

“I’m happy that the fight is finally happening despite all the challenges,” said Ramirez. “It’s been a long time coming and I look forward to a great night come November 5. I would fight Bivol anywhere – including Mars, but I know we’ll put on a great show in Abu Dhabi. I’m happy overall and very thankful to the WBA, Mr. Gilberto Mendoza and the Golden Boy family for being on this journey with me.”

“Dmitry Bivol has now secured himself with pound-for-pound status after his victory over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in May and looks to make a hugely important defence against Mandatory Challenger and former World Champion Gilberto Ramirez. The card will be stacked with World Championship fights and is set to be one of the biggest nights of boxing in 2022,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “I’m delighted to bring this huge World Title fight to Abu Dhabi and would like to thank Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi for all of their help in making this world-class event become a reality. Roll on November 5 for a huge night of World Championship boxing live on DAZN.”

“With this fight finally materialising we look forward to a great night of boxing to remember and another exceptional performance by Dmitry Bivol,” said Bivol’s manager Vadim Kornilov. “We are very excited to be in Abu Dhabi, which is on the way to be the modern top sports attraction of the world.”

“Dmitry Bivol vs. Gilberto Ramirez will be a great fight, many fans have been waiting for this fight to happen and it will finally materialise,” added President of World of Boxing, Andrei Ryabinskiy.

“We are headed to Abu Dhabi and Zurdo will prove he is the best Light-Heavyweight when he fights Bivol on November 5,” said Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya.

“We are thrilled to host this spectacular boxing event in Abu Dhabi – partnering with reputable partner Matchroom Boxing adds yet another dimension to our exciting calendar,” said HE Saleh Mohamed Saleh Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism, at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi,  “Once again, the eyes of the world will be on Abu Dhabi on November 5 as we continue to strengthen our position as a top destination for world-class sport. As the host city, we are eager to share our warm Emirati hospitality to visiting fans and offer them memorable, exciting experiences to enjoy at their own pace.”

“Thank you to our brilliant partners Matchroom Boxing and Golden Boy for delivering another blockbuster fight to the platform,” said Joseph Markowski, EVP, DAZN Group. “We can’t wait to see Dmitry Bivol back in the ring after he pulled off the upset of the year against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in May, and in the unbeaten Zurdo Ramirez, he will face one of his toughest opponents yet. We have a potential classic on our hands. Watch it live and worldwide on DAZN.”

An announcement on tickets will follow in due course. Sign up HERE for Bivol vs. Ramirez bulletins and ticket updates.

LOS ANGELES, CA (August 10, 2022):

Statement from Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya on the WBA ratifying a mandatory fight between Dmitry Bivol and his mandatory challenger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez:

“We find the ruling fair and honest considering Zurdo Ramirez has fought two elimination bouts and has been the number one contender for this fight since his victory against Sullivan Barrera in 2021. We will continue to work hard to support Ramirez as he campaigns to one day become a two-division world champion.”

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For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy. 

LAS VEGAS (July 20, 2022) –The long chase is over for “Zurdo” or at least it appears that way after nearly two years.

The World Boxing Association (WBA) recently ordered Dmitry Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs), the reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Light Heavyweight World Champion, to next fight former World Super Middleweight Champion and current WBA No. 1 rated light heavyweight mandatory challenger, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs).

Ramirez had won not one but two title eliminators, knocking out Yunieski Gonalez and then in his last fight, stopping the previous WBA No. 1 contender Dominic Boesel (32-3) in four rounds, to formally become the official WBA light heavyweight mandatory challenger for Bivol.

“Bivol’s champion period is conditioned to a term of 24 months and his last mandatory fight was on March 3, 2018 (8 fights ago vs. Sulivan Barrera in Bivol’s first title defense), his next was to be after March, 2020,” Carlos Chavez, chairman of the WBA Championship Committee, explained in a letter to the two teams. “For that reason, he must face Ramirez. In case they do not reach an agreement in the given time period or any of the parties refuse to do so, the WBA will have the right to call the fight a purse bid.”

The two sides were given until August 10th to consummate a deal to avoid a WBA purse bid hearing.

“I always hear things here and there,” Ramirez said, “but I’m in this position for a reason. The WBA is a tremendous organization and I believe the right process will prevail. Unlike others, I take pride in my craft and will always want to face the best in real life, and not just speak of it like other champions.”

No sooner had the WBA informed all concerned parties, though, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who along with manager Vadim Kornilov represents Bivol, was quoted as reportedly planning to request an exception from the WBA to allow Bivol to make a voluntary defense against No. 2 rated Joshua Buatsi in October with the winner to face “Zurdo.”

“I’ve heard some stuff, but I don’t really pay too much attention to the garbage,” Ramirez’ manager David Suh (3 Point Management) commented. “At the end of the day, we are grateful for the opportunity and have full faith in the process. The WBA and Mr. Gilberto Mendoza have been great to us and we look forward to getting this done.”

INFORMATION:

Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com

Instagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotions

Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez

LAS VEGAS (June 20, 2022) –Former World Super Middleweight Champion and current World Boxing Association (WBA) light heavyweight mandatory challenger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) is confident that the WBC will order Dmitry Bivol, the reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Light Heavyweight Champion, to fight him next.

Last month, Ramirez stopped Dominic Boesel (32-3) in four rounds to become the official WBA light heavyweight mandatory challenger (it was his second title eliminator victory) for Bivol.

First, Bivol talked about fighting a rematch with Canelo Alvarez, which won’t happen until next May at the earliest. Now, he reportedly wants to fight a unification versus Artur Beterbiev (IBF, WBC & WBO), who has   a WBO mandatory defense due versus Anthony Yarde. And promoter Eddie Hearn, who controls which fights are streamed by DAZN, is pushing Joshua Buatsi as Bivol’s next opponent, if a unification with Beterbiev isn’t made.

Bivol’s mandatory challenger, though, is Zurdo!

WBA WORLD LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT RATINGS

(June 1, 2022)

WBA SUPER CHAMPION

DMITRY BIVOL

 1   GILBERTO RAMIREZ OC           MEX

 2   JOSHUA BUATSI                          GBR

 3   CALLUM SMITH                           GBR

4   ANDRE DIRRELL                        USA

 5   DAN AZEEZ                                 GBR

6   RICARDS BOLOTNIKS               LAT

 7   DOMINIC BOESEL                      GER

 8   YUNIESKI GONZALEZ                 CUB

  9   ANTHONY YARDE                      GBR

10   CRAIG RICHARDS                      GBR

“I appreciate the WBA and believe the right process will be followed,” Ramirez said. “I’m confused about Bivol ducking me. I earned the WBA mandatory challenger position in the ring, not once, but twice. He’s  been talking about fighting me for the last two years. It’s time!”

Bivol said this 1 ½ years ago: “Gilberto Ramirez is one of the top players in the light heavyweight division. We have talked about this fight for a long time. The time has come to make this a reality. We’ve trained together and sparred as well. He is a professional, gentleman, and a very good boxer.

“He is an ex-world champion who has proven to be one of the best. Fights like this excite fans. This is what boxing is all about, fights that either fighter has a 50-percent chance of being victorious.

Even Ramirez’ former promoter, Bob Arum (Top Rank), is on record saying Bivol vs. Zurdo should be next:

Arum noted that Bivol and Zurdo both fight on DAZN, while Beterbiev fights exclusively on ESPN, and Arum doesn’t want Beterbiev to fight Bivol on DAZN.

“So, my suggestion to Bivol is if the Canelo rematch isn’t available,” Arum recently said in an interview, “he should fight Gilberto Ramirez, who is promoted by Golden Boy, and Golden Boy and Eddie Hearn both do their fights on DAZN. So, it shouldn’t be a hard fight to make.”

Zurdo, of course, agreed with Arum: “I am not surprised by Bob’s comments. Bivol can’t just demand what he wants to Top Rank. It just doesn’t work that way. Canelo didn’t commit to the rematch, so now I’m curious what other excuses he (Bivol) might make to avoid me.

“My team and I still have a tremendous amount of respect for Bob and Top Rank. He is one of the greatest promoters and I will always appreciate Bob for giving me an opportunity. Although we disagreed, it doesn’t mean we can’t do good business together down the line. I still cherish all my time with Top Rank and wish nothing but the best for Bob and the Top Rank family.”

The boxing world is waiting for the WBA to order Bivol vs. Zurdo.

INFORMATION:

Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com

Instagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotions

Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez

LAS VEGAS (May 23, 2022) – Former World Super Middleweight Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) has done everything short of threatening the health of World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol to get a title shot.

Ramirez has won not only one but two title eliminators, both by way of sensational knockout performances, the latest his recent 4th-round stoppage of an outclassed Dominic Boesel (32-3) to officially become the WBA mandatory challenger for Bivol, yet fresh off his impressive decision over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Bivol has said that he’d prefer to fight “Canelo” in a rematch or wait for the winner of next month’s unification fight between Artur Beterbiev and Joe Smith, Jr.

Apparently, Ramirez has become the boogeyman of the light heavyweight division, at least in Bivol’s opinion. After all, Bivol talked the talk for more than a year, claiming he wanted to fight “Zurdo” because it would be a great fight for fans.

“This is my division,” Ramirez proclaimed. “There’s a reason some of these guys have avoided me. They know I’m coming for all the belts and that it’s just a matter of time. Bivol was sent a contract last year, but he avoided fighting me to fight somebody else (Umar Salomov). I’ve been asking for Beterbiev and Smith Jr., but they both know they can’t compete on my level. As I said, it’s only a matter of time until this is proven.

“I’m not sure if he (Bivol) means what he says. He’s had a few opportunities to sign a contract (to fight Ramirez) but he didn’t. If the ‘Canelo’ rematch doesn’t happen, I’ll be in line to take the world championship away from him. We’ll see what my promoter (Golden Boy) comes up with (if a ‘Canelo’ rematch doesn’t happen next for Bivol). I’m just surprised by all the talk and lack of action from Bivol. It’s sad to see but, maybe he mans-up this time.”

BOB ARUM WANTS BIVOL TO FIGHT ZURDO

Even Zurdo’s former promoter, Bob Arum (Top Rank), wants Bivol to fight Zurdo if Canelo Alvarez decides against exercising his rematch clause vs. Bivol. Arum noted that Bivol and Zurdo both fight on DAZN, while the winner of a June 18th unification fight between the other world light heavyweight champions – Artur Beterbiev (WBC & IBF) and Joe Smith, Jr. (WBO) – fights exclusively on ESPN. Arum doesn’t want the Beterbiev-Smith victor to fight Bivol on DAZN.

“So, my suggestion to Bivol is if the Canelo rematch isn’t available,” Arum recently said in and interview, “he should fight Gilberto Ramirez, who is promoted by Golden Boy, and Golden Boy and Eddie Hearn both do their fights on DAZN. So, it shouldn’t be a hard fight to make.”

Zurdo, of course, agreed with Arum: “I am not surprised by Bob’s comments. Bivol can’t just demand what he wants to Top Rank. It just doesn’t work that way. If Canelo doesn’t commit to the rematch, I’m curious what other excuses he (Bivol) might make to avoid me.

“My team and I still have a tremendous amount of respect for Bob and Top Rank. He is one of the greatest promoters and I will always appreciate Bob for giving me an opportunity. Although we disagreed, it doesn’t mean we can’t do good business together down the line. I still cherish all my time with Top Rank and wish nothing but the best for Bob and the Top Rank family.”

Ramirez has won all five of his fights by knockout, displaying vicious body punching, since he moved up to the light heavyweight division in 2019. He simply outclassed Boesel, the International Boxing Organization (IBO) Light Heavyweight World Champion, closing the show with a damaging right hook to the German’s liver.

“I performed as expected,” Ramirez self-evaluated his fight versus Boesel. “I went into camp in great shape and continued to work with my team to become the best version of myself, Body work is something we focused on and I’m glad I was able to display it in a fight.”

The great Joe Louis once said, “They can run but they can’t hide.” Bivol shouldn’t be allowed by the WBA to continue hiding from “Zurdo”.

INFORMATION:

Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com

Instagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotions

Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez

By Norm Frauenheim–

Canelo Alvarez has an opportunity. That sounds crazy, especially in the immediate aftermath of his loss to Dmitry Bivol. The wounds are still there. The pain lingers. He tried to hide some of it with dark glasses a couple of hours after the stunning defeat. Nobody could look into his beaten eyes.

But the bruises will heal. The pain will subside. That’s when he’ll see a chance to actually fulfill the history he always says he is seeking. Legacy is become kind of a bumper sticker, not just in boxing. Its value has been eroded, a little bit like title belts. Everybody has one.

But not everybody is confronted with the adversity that comes with defeat. It’s deeply personal, more in boxing than in any other sport. Egos can get busted up, just like jaws and noses, especially when a world-wide audience is watching.

The loss to Bivol wasn’t Canelo’s first. He’s been there, losing to a masterful Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September 2013. But that was a younger Canelo, an apprentice still learning the craft. It was also a fight few expected him to win.

Last Saturday, Canelo was considered the master. He was the favorite. The scorecard defeat to a mostly unknown Russian light-heavyweight had to be more painful, which is what transforms it into the sort of opportunity that will put some real substance into Canelo’s pursuit. For him, legacy isn’t just a word or another belt anymore.

It’s real.

Adversity defines boxing. People watch to see fighters get off the canvas. To see comebacks. There’s an inherent dilemma in all of this. Nobody seeks defeat. Mayweather retired unbeaten. So, did Rocky Marciano, Andre Ward and Joe Calzaghe. So, did guys named Sven Ottke, Dmitry Pirog and Harry Simon. They’re all great fighters.

But the game amounts to a lot more than the 0 on the right side of the record. It’s about overcoming. It’s Ali coming back to beat Frazier. It’s Sugar Ray Leonard coming back to beat Roberto Duran. That’s history. Now, Canelo has a chance at some.

Late last Saturday at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, he wasn’t exactly clear about what he plans to do. His contract with Bivol included a clause for an immediate rematch. In the middle of the ring, Canelo said he would invoke the clause. A couple of hours later, he wasn’t sure.

“We’re gonna go to see what’s next, to talk about it,’’ he said.

Canelo will take his time. And he should. There’s plenty to consider. There’s a debate about his loss to Bivol, who displayed immense poise and smarts in front of roaring Cinco de Mayo crowd.

On the one hand, there’s an argument that Canelo took a risk in moving up the scale from super-middleweight to light-heavy. He failed. No shame there. Yet, questions about his tactics linger. There are also doubts about whether he took Bivol seriously.

Throughout the week before opening bell, there was talk about what Canelo would do after Bivol. Bivol was perceived as just another steppingstone. It got ridiculous. Even heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk was mentioned as a Canelo possibility. Everybody was buying into the hype, including me. I picked Canelo. I didn’t take Bivol serious and I’m not sure Canelo did. Yet, it become clear that Canelo didn’t have many plans beyond the first half of the fight against Bivol.

He went at the Russian, moving in a straight line throughout the first four rounds, as though he intended to bulldoze him they way he did Billy Joe Saunders. By now, we know it didn’t work. By the fifth round, there were signs that Canelo was fatigued. Earlier in his career, he had a habit of tiring late. He changed that with a more measured pace in the early moments, picking his spots and picking up the pace in the later rounds.

The argument is that Bivol beats Canelo again, that Canelo should just go on to a third fight with Gennadiy Golovkin in a bout that has been projected for September.

A victory at 168 pounds over GGG, a middleweight champion, would give Canelo the final say-so in their contentious rivalry. Canelo was 1-0-1 against GGG in two middleweight bouts. But what would it really prove? GGG is 40, several steps past his prime. The critics would be there. The critics would also gather into a social-media storm, demanding a rematch with Bivol.

Without Bivol, there would still be a lot of money for Canelo in super-middleweight bouts, post-GGG. There’s David Benavidez. But money can’t really be as decisive a factor as it was. Canelo’s got more of it than he can spend in a lifetime. He is ranked No. 8 on Forbes’ annual list of the world highest-paid athletes. He made a reported $90 million over a 12-month period, May 1 2021 to May 1 2022. That doesn’t even include his paycheck for Bivol. It was reported his purse could approach $50 million.

He doesn’t want for money. He wants history

History is calling. It’s in the rematch clause.

LAS VEGAS –Canelo Alvarez said he was facing a challenge. He wasn’t kidding. He just didn’t know just how much of a challenge it would be.

Turns out, Dmitry Bivol was a bigger challenger than even Canelo, boxing’s biggest star.

Bivol took him down Saturday, upsetting Mexico’s greatest current champion on a night when his nation celebrated Cinco de Mayo.

It was a stunner, historic, but not the kind of history Canelo has said he is pursuing. Bivol was supposed to be a step in his path to all-time recognition. But that journey was interrupted.

The bigger Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs), still the World Boxing Association’s light-heavyweight champion, employed all of his measurable advantages and many that can’t be measured, scoring a unanimous decision – 115-113 on all three cards – over the favored Canelo (57-2-2, 39).

“I prove today that I’m the best,’’ Bivol said to his promoter and the stunned crowd at T-Mobile Arena after the pay-per-view/DAZN bout. “Thank you, Eddie Hearn, Sorry, I break your plans for Gennadiy Golovkin, maybe.’’

On the Canelo blueprint, the bout versus Bivol was a good payday en route to a third fight against Golovkin.

A third bout in a contentious middleweight rivalry was seen as a way for Canelo to have the final say-so. It would allow him to move on from the debate about GGG, who had a draw and a decision loss to Canelo

But maybe Canelo moved a little but too fast and too far up the scale. He unified the super-middleweight title. Light heavyweight was next. But Bivol was there, to remind him that there’s a reason for weight classes.

Canelo, who had promised victory, offered no excuses.

“I lost tonight and he won,’’ Canelo said.

He also said he wanted a rematch. He was asked whether he would exercise the rematch clause in his contract with Bivol

“Si,’’ he said to the Mexican crowd.

Canelo has proven he learns from defeat. He learned a lot after his one-sided loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. After this one – only his second defeat, he faced many more adjustments against a skilled, poised Bivol. The Russian doesn’t get rattled.

No Russian anthem was played, no Russian flag was waved, when Bivol made his entrance. The World Boxing Association ruled against both weeks before the fight in response to Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine.

Initially, the WBA’s ruling was called cosmetic. It’s a boxing acronym after all. It’s more about sanctioning fees than ethics. On fight night, however, the ban felt like the proper move. It fit the time. And the man.

Bivol, the WBA’s champion, has family in Saint Petersburg. He has never taken a position on his home country’s attack on a neighboring country. Neutrality has been hard to maintain. But he has remained quiet about his homeland. He delivers punches. Not opinions.

The Russian flag and anthem might have put further pressure on Bivol in an arena already awash in Mexican flags and symbols. It was Cinco de Mayo, a party and a celebration of Mexican pride. Bivol was the pinata at a roaring fiesta.

But the designated pinata contained surprises. Bivol was more than just a party favor. He had some weapons of his own.

In an early surprise, Canelo started faster than expected. He’s known for a measured pace in the first few rounds. Against Bivol, however, he didn’t hesitate.

The opening bell still echoed through the jammed area when he began to move forward, ever forward. Perhaps, he was buoyed by the crowd, his crowd. Perhaps, he already knew that Bivol couldn’t hurt him. Perhaps, Canelo was anxious to get the job done and join the party.

Whatever the reason, the Canelo attack got underway without hesitation. The thud from his lethal body punches could be heard in the upper-reaches of T-Mobile. The real surprise was coming from Bivol, who over the first four rounds would not give an inch.

Canelo backed up and into the ropes repeatedly. But Bivol responded, coming back behind his long jab. Midway in the third round, the Russian appeared to land a left solid enough to get Canelo’s attention.

In the fourth and again in the fifth, Canelo began to show signs of fatigue. He breathed heavily through an open mouth. The momentum – slowly, surely and inevitably – had begun to switch. It belonged to Bivol.

In the end, so did the victory and the title.

Restless crowd boos Montana Love decision over Gabriel Gollaz

It was an awkward fight between a lefthander, Montana Love, and an orthodox Gabriel Gollaz. A couple of early knockdowns were the result.

In the first round, Love,(18-0-1, 9 KOs) of Cleveland, landed a glancing blow that knocked Gollaz off balance. Then, he appeared to slip. Referee Tony Weeks ruled it a knockdown.

In the second, Gollaz (25-3-1 15 KOs) , of Mexico, threw a quick counter left. It, too, appeared to be a glancing blow off the top of Love’s. But it was enough for Love to lose his balance. He touched the canvas. It was a knockdown. He got up , looking almost embarrassed.

For the next several rounds, neither fighter knew what to do. It left the crowd unhappy. Restless fans knew what to do. There was no love for Montana. None for Gollaz either. Fans jeered, whistled and booed. Love came into the ring to a rapper who carried his pet dog. Even the dog must have whined.

In the end, Love won a unanimous decision. The crow cheered. But it was happy only because it was over.

The only good news was that the main event, Canelo Alvarez-Dmitry Bivol, was next.

Shakhram Giyasov wins unanimous decision

Shakhram Giyasov, an Olympic silver medalist and a welterweight from Uzbekistan, had enough power and poise to emerge from a sloppy fight with a unanimous decision over Mexican Christian Gomez.

It wasn’t close on the scorecards. Giyasov (13-0, 9 KOs) made sure of it with power. He knocked down Gomez (22-3-1, 20 KOs) three times. Two — one in the fourth and again the 10th were — clear. One in seventh, however, appeared to be the result more of a trip than a punch.

Marc Castro wins one-sided decision

Lightweight prospect Marc Castro (7-0, 5 KOs), of Fresno CA, got in some work, dominating Pedro Vicente (7-5-1, 2 KOs).

Vicente, of Puerto Rico, never had a chance. Never won a round either. Castro scored a six-round shutout, 60-54 on all three cards.

Zhang Zhilei scores first-round KO

He was a late stand-in. He didn’t stand for long.

Scott Alexander, a substitute for Croatian Filip Hrgovic, was gone within a minute, thanks to a straight left from Zhang Zhilei, perhaps the biggest athlete from China since Yao Ming.

Zhilei (24-0-1, 19 KOs) might not have the same height as Ming, a former Houston Rocket center. But he’s got a slam dunk for a left hand. He took one step back, threw it on a straight line and it landed, dropping Alexander (16-5-2, 8 KOs) flat onto his back in the first bout in the pay-per-view telecast of the Canelo-Bivol card. It was over at 54 seconds of the opening round

Joselito Velazquez unleashes deadly combo for TKO of Soto

Joselito Velazquez had power. He added precision. It was deadly.

Velazquez (15-0-1, 10 KOs, a Mexican flyweight, blew out Jose Soto with the combination, stopping the Colombian (15-2, 6 KOs) in the sixth round of the final fight before the pay-per-view telecast of the Canelo Alvarez-Dmitry Bivol card.

Velazquez landed a left, short and precise. Then, he followed up with a succession of powerful combinations. Jay Nady ended it at 1:06 of the sixth

Aaron Silva scores powerful TKO

Superman is stitched across the back of Aaron Silva’s trunks. The Mexican super-middleweight lived up to the nickname. Alexis Espino had no chance against his sustained power in the third fight on the Canelo-Alvarez undercard.

Silva (10-0, 7 KOs) stunned Espino (9-1-1, 6 KOs) with a huge right in the fourth and then poured it on, driving Espino into the ropes and leaving him defenseless. Kenny Bayless stopped it at 1:17 of the round.

Abduraimov scores three knockdowns for second-round stoppage

Elnur Abduraimov (9-0, 8 KOs), a powerful junior-bantamweight from Uzbekistan, appeared to be too much Manuel Correa. Appearances quickly turned real.

Correa (11-1, 7 KOs) was finished within two rounds of the second bout on a card featuring Canelo Alvarez-Dmitry Bivol. Abduraimov overwhelmed the Cuban, knocking him down three times in bout stopped at 2:43 of the second.

First Bell: Canelo-Bivol show opens with a split decision

Empty seats, lots of echoes.

That’s how the show started Saturday, about seven hours before Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol were scheduled to fight for a light-heavyweight title at T-Mobile Arena in a DAZN pay-per-view bout.

There was nothing definitive about the opener. The matinee ended in a split decision. Mexican junior-welterweight Fernando Molina (8-0, 3 KOs) prevailed,mostly because of an edge in power. He rocked Ricardo Valdovinos (8-2, 5 KOs), of San Diego, just enough to win on two of the three score cards.

By Norm Frauenheim-

LAS VEGAS — Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol made weight while a sweating crowd lost some Friday at a weigh-in under hot afternoon sun in the Nevada desert.

With temperature approaching triple digits, both Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs) and Bivol (19-0, 11 KOS) came in under the 175-pound limit for their heavyweight title fight Saturday (Pay-Per-View, DAZN) at T-Mobile Arena.

Alvarez was at 174.4. Bivol, the current World Boxing Association belt-holder, tipped the scale 174.6. Both are expected to be several pounds heavier at opening bell (PPV telecast starts at * pm ET/5 pm PT)

“Canelo, probably 180,” promoter Eddie Hearn told reporters after the weigh-in in front of a lively Cinco de Mayo crowd at the Toshiba Plaza outside of T-Mobile. “Bivol, probably 190.’

By Norm Frauenheim –

LAS VEGAS – Canelo Alvarez is moving up scale. Saturday it’s a bid for a light-heavyweight title held by Dmitry Bivol.

Then, there’s some business to finish with Gennadiy Golovkin in a third fight projected for September.

After that, he and his current promoter, Eddie Hearn, are talking about a unified title at 175 pounds, perhaps against Artur Beterbiev in May 2023.

He continues to talk about a fight at cruiserweight. Welterweight champion Errol Spence was mentioned for a date at a catch weight. Now, there’s even some wild talk about a move to heavyweight against Oleksandr Usyk.

A lot of names are mentioned, all there like milestones on the path to what Canelo calls history. There are no apparent limits to what Canelo hopes to do. Bivol might change that at T-Mobile Arena in a pay-per-view bout (DAZN). But that would be a huge upset.

If Canelo walks through Bivol the way he bulldozed Callum Smith, Caleb Plant and Billy Joe Saunders, his chances improve at actually doing what he envisions.

But at least one thing hasn’t changed. David Benavidez is still not in his plans. Among the myriad of names, weight classes and belts mentioned this week, there was no Benavidez. There was no mention of unbeaten middleweight belt-holder Jermall Charlo, either.

But increasingly Benavidez is the fighter at the top of the list. Take a poll. Benavidez, who faces David Lemieux on May 21 in Glendale AZ, is the fighter fans want to see against Canelo.

Even Hearn seemed to concede that much this week in a give-and-take with the media after a formal news conference Thursday.

“How can you say Charlo is a better fighter than Beterbiev? ‘’ Hearn said in a defensive counter to questions about the quality of Canelo’s opposition. “Are you mad? How can you say Charlo is a tougher fight than Dmitry Bivol at 175? Absolute rubbish.

“Who has Charlo ever beat? Keep going. Now, tell me the recent ones. (Juan Macias) Montiel? Terrible. He wasn’t motivated to fight. (Maciej) Sulecki? Lovely kid. But Sulecki? Put him in with Plant, with Benavidez.

“I think Benavidez could be the best of all of those.”

But it’s the best of a group that continues to be ignored in Canelo’s grand plan. For now, at least, that means the unbeaten Benavidez, a two-time former super-middleweight champion from Phoenix, is consigned to play the historical role that once belonged to Antonio Margarito. Oscar De La Hoya wouldn’t fight Margarito. Floyd Mayweather wouldn’t fight Margarito.

Hearn, however, suggests that Benavidez can change that role. It’s clear Hearn, like the fans, can see the explosive potential in a Benavidez-Canelo fight.

“That’s a big fight,’’ Hearn said.

But, Hearn also said, it’s up to Benavidez’ promotional team to put him in a better position to get the Canelo date he has sought for just about as long as Canelo has pursued history.

“Ultimately, the fights against Benavidez and Charlo are just voluntary defenses of his 168-pound title,” Hearn said. “He could (fight Benavidez at 175 pounds). But that’s another voluntary defense. If you said to Canelo, what would you rather do? ‘Fight Benavidez in a voluntary defense or fight Beterbiev for the undisputed light-heavyweight championship?’ it’s not even a conversation.

“Benavidez wants big fights. It’s embarrassing who they’re fighting. Why don’t you make Charlo versus Benavidez? Why don’t you make Benavidez versus Plant. You give them all these easy fights for all this money and they’re not selling. You’re just burning money.

“Get the guys together, make the fights. I know Benavidez. He wants the big fights. It’s PBC’s job to put him in big fights and they’re not. Canelo-Benavidez could be a massive fight.

“But it’s nowhere near what it could be.”

Interesting.Got it.Wow.

LAS VEGAS (May 4, 2022) – Former World Super Middleweight Champion and top light heavyweight contender, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (43-0, 39 KOs), is fully focused on his May 14th opponent, German Dominic Boesel (32-2, 12 KOs), not the winner of this week’s fight between Zurdo’s fellow countryman, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, and World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Light Heavyweight Champion Dmiity Bivol.

If Zurdo defeats Boesel in their 12-round main event match, the reigning International Boxing Organization (IBO) Light Heavyweight World titleholder and WBA No. 1 rated contender, No. 2 ranked Ramirez will be positioned to challenge the Alvarez-Bivol winner. But he needs to get past Boesel to force his long-sought world light heavyweight title fight against Canelo of Bivol.

“Zurdo vs. Boesel,” presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zurdo Promotions and SES Boxing, will stream live and exclusively on DAZN from Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

“Whatever happens,” Ramirez said about the Canelo vs. Bivol fight, “I’ll be ready for the winner of that fight. Both are great fighters, but I’m ready to beat both.

“I expect an all-out fight (vs. Boesel). This is a life-changing fight for him, so I’m prepared for anything he throws at me. My team has been getting me ready and I have full confidence I will be the victor come fight night.”

Ramirez has several advantages over Boesel: higher quality experience, the fact Boesel has never fought outside of Europe, his hometown advantage with the fight in his adopted home and his Mexican fans coming out in force.

“I’m the best in the world and will always have the advantage,” Ramirez added. “But I still can’t take him (Boesel) lightly. He’s a longtime pro who knows how to take advantage of the moment.

“It’s convenient for me (fighting in the LA area), but at the end of the day it’s a fight. To me, it doesn’t matter if it’s held in Zurich, Frankfurt, Tokyo, or Mexico, I can fight anywhere. I don’t worry about the other fights (in southern California the same day – Charlo-Castano in Carson, Kovalev-Pulev in Inglewood). I’m just focused on my fight, and I know that come fight night, my fans and all my Mexican people will be with me.”

INFORMATION:

Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com

Instagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotions

Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez

By Norm Frauenheim –

There were swimmers, gymnasts and skiers standing alongside Vladimir Putin in support of his war against the Ukraine last week in a Moscow rally.

There wasn’t a boxer among them, according to reports. But boxing’s absence doesn’t mean there won’t be an impact.

Dmitry Bivol wasn’t there.

Yet, it was hard not to think about the Russian light-heavyweight and his May Day date with Canelo Alvarez. Putin’s war is everywhere. It’s there when buying a tank of gas. It’s there in tears and trauma, 24-7, on the television news. There’s no refuge, no place to hide from it all.

Business-as-usual is an illusion. Still, it’s been brisk, at least it has been for boxing. Tickets for Canelo-Bivol on May 7 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena sold out within the first day they went up for sale this week.

For now, at least, Bivol has sidestepped the escalating wave of controversy and sanctions. When the prizefight was announced, he was careful to say that he wasn’t political. He said all the right things. But words aren’t a rhetorical vaccine against getting swept up in it all.

Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, already on record with his opposition to letting Bivol fight, added some fuel to the fire this week with an impassioned video on social media. He didn’t mention Bivol this time. He didn’t have to.

Waldimir stood alongside his brother-in-arms and another ex-heavyweight champ, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, and condemned the Russians, saying that the “Ukraine is not a battlefield, it is a crime scene.’’

Quit funding the crime, he then said.

“Stop doing business with Putin’s Russia, because every dollar buys them ammunition,’’ he said. “… Every cent going into the Russian budget is going today to killing our men, women and children.’’

That begs a question: Will any of Bivol’s purse go to the Russians? As a Russian citizen with a family in Saint Petersburg, he pays Russian taxes. According to reports when the bout was announced last month, Bivol is guaranteed $2 million. His final paycheck could grow to $4-million, depending on the pay-per-view sales. If the quick sellout of T-Mobile is a sign, there’s a pretty good chance that the PPV will be strong enough to double Bivol’s payday.

International sanctions limiting Russian access to banks and dollars might stop Russia from getting a share.

There’s an argument that Bivol should be allowed to fight. Fair enough. Citizenship shouldn’t be enough to keep any athlete off the track, out the water and out of the ring. Bivol appears to be a quiet craftsman. He’s not making any noise. He’s staying apolitical. But war, the money and his Russian citizenship won’t allow him to be neutral in what could be one of the most watched prizefights of the year.

For one thing, the Klitschko Brothers will continue to campaign against all things Russian. They are committed, compelling and comfortable in front of the camera.

Then, there are mounting sanctions against Russian athletes. Don’t confuse Bivol with any who stood with Putin at the Moscow rally. They were wearing the Z that is supposed to be a sign of support for his war. We keep hearing that Z is not in the Russian alphabet. Neither is a swastika.

They have identified themselves, front and center, as targets for the terror the Klitschko Brothers are fighting. But there’s more than one symbol that ties Bivol to them. There’s the dollar $ign.  

A swimmer, Evgeny Rylov, got an endorsement deal with Speedo after the backstroker won two gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics last summer. Speedo terminated the contract Wednesday after video surfaced of him on stage with Putin.

“Any outstanding sponsorship fees will be donated to the United Nations,’’ Speedo said in a formal statement, perhaps precedent for a prizefight.

The IBF World Heavyweight Title Final Eliminator between Filip Hrgovi? (14-0, 12 KOs) and Zhilei Zhang (23-0-1, 18 KOs) will take place on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol undercard on May 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
 
Hrgovi? has been hunting a dance partner for a showdown to name the mandatory challenger for the IBF World Title held by Oleksandr Usyk. The 29-year-old Olympic bronze medal man has cut a lethal swathe through the pro ranks to sit in a prime position for a deserved shot at the big prize, ending all but two of his fights inside the distance, and not going past the fifth round in his last seven outings.
 
A host of Heavyweights were offered the clash with the dangerous Croatian, but not until it came to #13 ranked Zhang was a dance partner found, with the lofty Chinese star accepting the challenge. The 38-year-old has been circling for a major showdown, and ‘Big Bang’ gets his wish against Hrgovi? in Sin City with the two KO artist promising to leave it all in the ring with the stakes so high.
 
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for more than year,” said Hrgovi?. “Finally, I have an opponent willing to face me for the chance to fight for the IBF World Title. So many fighters turned down this challenge so credit to Zhang for being brave enough to accept.
 
“I know he’s a good opponent. He won silver at the Olympics so that means he’s a good boxer, but he is too slow on his feet, and I believe I have better the qualities. My speed, stamina and footwork will be too much for him. I will break him down and I will beat him.
 
“I’m now only one fight away from my dream of boxing for a World Title and nothing is going to stop me. Canelo is the face of boxing and I’m excited to get this opportunity on such a big show. I’m ready to show the whole world that ‘El Animal’ is coming!”
 
“I am very happy that this fight is going to happen,” said Zhang. “I’ve been waiting on an opportunity – now it’s here and I’m not going to let it pass.
 
“When no-one else from the top 15 wanted to face Hrgovic, I told myself that I had to do it for me, and for the sport of boxing. This is the most important fight of my whole career. I’m all in. Don’t miss it!”

“Finally, we’ve found an opponent willing to accept the challenge,” said promoter Kalle Sauerland. “Having gone through the IBF rankings twice, Zhang has stepped up to face Filip Hrgovi? in an IBF World Title final eliminator. We now have ‘El Animal’ versus ‘Big Bang’ for a shot at the biggest prize in boxing. This epic battle is going to light up the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where fans can witness the next Heavyweight Champion of the World in action.”
 
“I love the Heavyweight dust-up between Filip Hrgovic and Zhilei Zhang,” said Eddie Hearn. It’s been a long-time coming for someone to step up to the plate and fight Filip, credit to Zhilei and his team for taking on the challenge. Both men carry huge power, and they know that victory takes them one step closer to sport’s ultimate prize – Heavyweight champion of the World. There won’t be a backwards step taken when they rumble, it’s going to be fireworks on an already electric night.”
 
Hrgovi? vs. Zhang is the latest addition to what promises to be a stacked card in Las Vegas with Montana Love and Gabriel Valenzuela also set to square off in a mouth-watering Super-Lightweight battle in support of the blockbuster main event as pound-for-pound Mexican king Canelo looks to become a two-time World ruler at 175lbs against long-reigning WBA champion Bivol on Cinco De Mayo weekend.
 
Tickets will go on sale starting at $105 (plus fees) on the following dates and times (all times PT) at AXS.com.

• AXS, Fighter, DAZN and Matchroom (codes) Pre-Sales:  Tuesday, March 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Public On-Sale:  Wednesday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m.

Tickets for Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 7, live on DAZN, excluding Latin America and Mexico, will go on sale onWednesday, March 23 at 10 a.m. PT. In the U.S. & Canada, the event will be offered exclusively on DAZN Pay-Per View (PPV).
TICKETS FOR MAY 7 GO ON SALE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 – CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS
 Canelo (57-1-2, 39 KOs) returns to Las Vegas for his first Cinco De Mayo fight since 2019 where he defeated Daniel Jacobs at T-Mobile Arena in a Middleweight unification clash. The Mexican superstar has embarked on a sensational run of fights since that night, moving to Light Heavyweight to win a World title at a fourth weight against Sergey Kovalev before returning to Super Middleweight to beat Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders and Caleb Plant and becoming the first undisputed champion at 168lbs.

Canelo has chosen the toughest of paths once again for his next challenge as he attempts to become a two-time champion at 175lbs by meeting long-reigning WBA belt-holder Bivol. The 31-year-old (19-0, 11 KOs) has been untouchable as a pro in 19 outings in the paid ranks and Canelo will be his 10^th defense of his crown. Bivol has seen off the likes of Joe Smith Jr., Jean Pascal, Sullivan Barrera and Isaac Chilemba on his path to meeting Canelo.

Tickets will go on sale starting at $105 (plus fees) on the following dates and times (all times PT) at AXS.com.

• AXS, Fighter, DAZN and Matchroom (codes) Pre-Sales:  Tuesday, March 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Public On-Sale:  Wednesday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m.

By Norm Frauenheim–

Dmitry Bivol doesn’t look like collateral damage. Not yet, anyway. But the controversy, if not the possibility, is there. Wladimir Klitschko made sure of it.

Bivol, a Russian light-heavyweight champion, should not be allowed to fight Canelo Alvarez, Klitschko told UK media in a condemnation of Russia and its ongoing attack of Ukraine, the former heavyweight champion’s homeland.

His blunt comments are not a surprise. He and brother Vitali, mayor of Kyiv and also a former heavyweight champ, are just a few of the prominent faces engaged in a desperate fight. Wladimir, soldier and statesman, wants a boycott of all things Russian.

Right now, that means Bivol. The light-heavyweight is a current face, a Russian symbol, of what the Klitschkos and their fellow Ukrainians believe the world should boycott.

Bivol’s deal to fight Canelo, the world’s wealthiest and best-known boxer, was formally announced last week.  Bivol can’t escape the timing. Perhaps, it’s just coincidence. But the timing of the deal and Klitchko’s subsequent comments put him in the crosshairs.

In interviews with BBC 5 Live Radio and London tabloid The Mirror, Klitschko likened a ban on Bivol to another sanction on Russia.

“Every sanction – and it’s nothing against the personalities or athletes, it’s about the politics of Russia,’’ Klitschko told BBC. “Every Russian representative in this case needs to be sanctioned, because this way we show to Russia that the world is against his senseless war and there is no good in this war.”

In other words: Don’t buy Russian oil, don’t let Russians use ATMS, don’t let them eat Big Macs, sink the oligarch yachts and don’t watch Bivol.

For promoter Eddie Hearn and Canelo, the aforementioned watch – as in watch DAZN’s pay-per-view telecast on May 7 – looms as perhaps the real threat, some collateral damage to the biggest boxing promotion this year.

The deal is done. Business, as it always has in boxing, moves on, no matter what. Muhammad Ali-George Foreman, 1974’s fabled Rumble in the Jungle, happened in dictator Mobutu’s country, then Zaire. Ali-Joe Frazier 3, 1975’s Thrilla In Manila, happened under strongman Ferdinand Marcos’ rule.

More tyranny from Vladimir Putin probably won’t stop the fight. But it might make at least some people in the projected audience think twice about paying $79.98 for the PPV. Nothing about Putin War is pretty. Ugly is the only word for it. Wall-to-wall coverage on cable networks is full of tears, trauma, rubble and blood. An end to the carnage is not in sight.

The sports world is reacting. The NBA’s Utah Jazz just announced it will fund 32,000 nights of housing for Ukrainian refugees. Expect more of the same. Maybe, the Canelo-Bivol promotion can do something similar. But that won’t silence the controversy over Bivol’s appearance on a card that could earn him a reported $4 million, more than four times bigger than his biggest payday.

He seems to be a nice guy. He’s quiet. He was born in Kyrgyzstan. He has lived in Russia most of his life. He has family in Saint Petersburg. He tried to say all the right things last week at the newser in San Diego. He said he has friends in Ukraine. He said he has friends in Russia.

“I wish everyone peace and only the best,’’ Bivol said. “It’s really sad for me. Every day, I wake up and read the news. I hope this ends soon.”

It’s a dilemma, one that Bivol didn’t seek. But there’s no hoping it just goes away. There’s also no way to pacify both sides. The Klitschko brothers stand as a lesson and also a warning, at least to the Russians. They won’t quit. 

It was hard not to notice Thursday that the Ukrainians destroyed a Russian tank column, a reported regiment, in Brovary, a suburban town about 10 miles east of Kyiv. It’s the same town where Wladimir Klitschko first learned how to box at Brovary Olympic Reserve School in the late 1980s.

Those burning tanks are a warning.

So, too, are Klitschko’s words.

So, too, are pound-for-pound contenders Vasiliy Lomachenko and Oleksandr Usyk, both symbols of Ukraine’s inexhaustible will to fight. Lomachenko and Usyk are still in the middle of brilliant ring careers. Lomachenko was projected to fight unified lightweight champion George Kambosos in Australia. Usyk was working toward a rematch of his heavyweight stunner over Anthony Joshua.

Lomachenko was training in the Greek islands. Usyk was in the UK. Then, Putin attacked. Their lives changed. But their priorities did not. They enlisted in the fight to save their homeland.

It’ll be impossible not to think about their real fight while watching Bivol in a prize fight.

Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol came face-to-face today in San Diego to officially launch their clash at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday May 7, with Bivol defending his WBA World Light-Heavyweight title against the pound for pound king on Cinco de Mayo weekend Sin City.
 
The May 7 blockbuster will be available to subscribers around the world on DAZN, excluding Latin America and Mexico. In the U.S. & Canada, the event will be offered exclusively on DAZN Pay-Per View (PPV) – newly introduced for very select events to come – and priced at $59.99 for current subscribers and $79.99 for new subscribers (inclusive of a one-month subscription to DAZN).
 
An announcement on ticket on-sale dates and prices will be made due course.
 
Canelo Alvarez
 
“Thank you to Dmitry Bivol for the opportunity to fight for your world championship, thank you so much. I’m glad to be back with Eddie Hearn and working with him, with DAZN, I’m really excited for this year.
 
“When I work hard and do my best in the ring, I make a good fight for the fans. Thank you everybody and I’ll see you on May 7.
 
“I don’t care, I like challenges, it makes me feel alive – challenges for me in everything in my life. I like a good challenge and now I have a very good fighter in front of me and I’m excited for this fight.
 
“Bivol is a really tough fighter and it’s going to be a really good fight for Cinco de Mayo weekend with my people in Las Vegas – Mexican weekend. I’m really excited and I’m going to prepare really well because this fight is going to be really hard.” 
 
Dmitry Bivol
 
“I want to say thank you to all my team, my promoter, World of Boxing and to DAZN, Eddie Hearn and Canelo for the opportunity to make this fight.
 
“I believe in my skills and when I come to the ring I believe in my victory. I’m looking forward to May 7, thank you.
 
“Me and my team wanted this fight and I’m glad this fight will be in the United States and one of the Mecca of boxing. This is also very exciting, and it means a lot to me.
 
“This is very important for me especially because I’m fighting one of the best if not the best in the world right now, I want people to be able to see me and my skills, this is a big fight that can give me the ability to achieve my other goals and go on if I win this fight.”
 
Eddie Hearn
 
“Legacy is earned is a strapline for this event and I don’t think anything could be more fitting when you talk about Canelo Alvarez. Back on DAZN PPV on May 7 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Alvarez challenge Dmitry Bivol for the WBA Light-Heavyweight title.
 
“It’s an absolute honor to sign a multi-fight deal with Canelo Alvarez and his team, the great Eddy Reynoso and of course DAZN as well – working with this man is very special.
 
“I think we all appreciate in boxing that the big fights never get made and that’s because the teams and fighters sometimes look for easier options, I’ve never worked with anyone like Canelo Alvarez and Eddy Reynoso.
 
“This is a true great of modern-day boxing and when you look at the resume off the back of the two fights with GGG, fights against Daniel Jacobs for the middleweight championship, stepping up two divisions to fight Sergei Kovalev for the WBO light-heavyweight championship. Within one year becomes undisputed 168-pound champion by beating all three champions in Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders and Caleb Plant.
 
“If that wasn’t enough, now he moves up again another division to fight in my opinion the best light-heavyweight in the world in Dmitry Bivol. Dmitry Bivol is undefeated, current WBA champion of the world, we’ve worked with him for a long time, his manager Vadim Kornilov and world of boxing who we have a great relationship with.
 
“This young man has been looking for an opportunity like this for a long time, this is not a young man who’s reached the end of his career or is past his prime, this is an outstanding champion in his absolute prime ready for the opportunity of his life against the pound-for-pound king of boxing – Saul Canelo Alvarez.” 
 
Eddy Reynoso
 
“Thank for you for the award, special thanks to Ring Magazine for making this happen. We’re very happy for this fight against a very tough challenge, a great champion in Dmitry Bivol.
 
“We’re definitely looking forward to the challenge that we have, we’re trying to build Canelo’s legacy obviously into the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Thank you to everyone who is here.”  
 
Vadim Kornilov
 
“We appreciate the opportunity; this is a very exciting fight for us and something we’ve vowed for a very long time. We appreciate team Canelo for giving us the opportunity, we look forward to it and I hope everybody is going to be healthy and ready for the fight. I’m looking forward to a great event.”
 
Joseph Markowski,
 
“It’s a really exciting day for us at DAZN and we couldn’t think of a better event and a better partner in Canelo Alvarez, Eddy Reynoso to launch out DAZN PPV platform. As Eddie alluded to, clearly our global schedule is getting stronger and stronger, the subscription value that we are offering is continuing to be very strong with our special events around PPV we’re truly excited about the opportunity that gives out business in the coming years.
 
“Eddie spoke about the quality of this match-up, the deal with Canelo gives us a fantastic couple of events this year and we can’t wait to serve that on the DAZN PPV platform to our audience around the world. To both men, thank you for your partnership and best of luck in your preparation, we look forward to seeing all of you come May 7 on DAZN PPV.”

LAS VEGAS (January 31, 2022) – Back in December, right after Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (43-0, 29 KOs) stopped Yunieski Gonzalez to become the mandatory challenger for World Boxing Association (WBA) Light Heavyweight World Super Champion Dmitry Bivol (19-0, 11 KOs) who suddenly and surprisingly went dark, until he recently make an unsubstantiated claim that “Zurdo” had turned down an offer to fight him.

Bivol was quoted in a recent boxing news report, which was also picked up by other media outlets, saying, “I know for a fact that my team did offer Team Ramirez to fight me December 11th in Russia, and the purse offered was about the same as what I was offered to fight him on a (Golden Boy Promotions) show. He rejected the offer.”

“I don’t know why he’s saying they offered a fight to me,” Ramirez countered, “but he must be really confused. To be clear there was never a contract that was sent to my team or Golden Boy for a fight; unlike how a contract was delivered to him and his team from Golden Boy for the December bout. I’m confused why he continues to be a pawn and create false narratives and tries everything to hide from this fight. It’s just a matter of time before that belt comes to where it belongs.”

Ramirez, the first Mexican to capture the World super middleweight title, is a former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Champion, who earned his title shot against Bivol by winning his WBA Title Eliminator versus Gonzalez.

“After Bivol, Joe Smith is my next target since he has my belt (WBO) that I had at 168 pounds,” Ramirez remarked. “I am the best light heavyweight out there and it’s not even close. There’s a reason why these champs are scared to call my name, but soon they won’t have a choice. I would end Smith in less than 6 rounds.”

Bivol also said in the aforementioned story: “My motivation and my ambitions have not changed for a long time – I want to fight the best. I want to prove that I am the best in my division.”

Guess what, Dmitry, 43-0 “Zurdo” is the best!

INFORMATION:

Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com

Instagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotions

Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez

Dmitry Bivol retained the WBA Light Heavyweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Umar Salamonov in Russai.

Bivol won by scores of 119-109, 118-109 and 118-110 and is now 19-0. Salamonov is 26-2.

LAS VEGAS (November 23, 2021) – Too much is at stake for “Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez for the undefeated Mexican to look past his December 18th showdown with Yunieski “The Monster” Gonzalez (21-3, 17 KOs) to World Boxing Association Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol.

Not only is a mandatory challenger position at stake against Cuba-born Gonzalez, the perfect 42-0 (28 KOs) record is also on the line for “Zurdo” in his 12-round WBA Light Heavyweight Title Eliminator streaming live from San Antonio (TX) on DAZN. Ramirez’ promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, is presenting this event.

“I never look past any of my opponents, so I don’t have to avoid looking past Gonzalez in this fight,” Ramirez said. “I know Gonzalez is a come-forward fighter who likes to bang and fight, so I need to be careful with my approach. Just like any other fighter, my preparation for this fight has not changed. My team and I are still focused and never look beyond what’s in front of me.”

Gonzalez, 36, has won his last three fights, five of six, including the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Fedelatin Light Heavyweight Championship two fights ago, which he captured with a second-round knockout of Alex Theran (22-4) in Miami.

“He’s the No. 2 Cuban light heavyweight,” Ramirez added. “He’s been a problem to others, so I’ll need to be my best. No fighters are the same. I know Gonzalez likes to come forward more than your traditional Cuban fighter, but who knows what his style will look like on fight night? I’m preparing for all possibilities and hope to put on a show for the fans on December 18th.”

Ramirez, the first Mexican to capture the World super middleweight crown, is rated No. 4 by the WBA, Gonzalez No. 5. Their only common opponent is Tommy Karpency, who retired after the fourth round in 2019 to “Zurdo,” and he was stopped by Yunieski in the second round this past September.

“I’m confident in my training and preparation for this fight,” Ramirez concluded. “I’m ready for an all-out war, or a great boxing match. But, as always, I’m looking to finish him and get the KO victory.”

INFORMATION:

Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com

Instagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotions

Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez