UNIFIED cruiserweight world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez returns to the ring on June 28 to face WBA mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticós. The bout serves as the chief support for Jake Paul’s headline fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Ramirez’s fight follows IBF champion Jai Opetaia’s title defence against Claudio Squeo in Australia, set 20 days earlier. If both champions win, fans will likely call for a clash between the world’s top two cruiserweights later this year.
Last November, Ramirez, 47-1 (30 KOs), delivered a standout performance, dethroning former WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith in Riyadh. The competitive fight saw Ramirez dominate the later rounds to earn a unanimous decision victory.
Dorticós, 27-2 (5 KOs), is five years older than Billam-Smith, and has fought only three times since his 2020 loss to former cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis. In 2018, the Cuban was stopped in the 11th round by Murat Gassiev in an exciting world title bout.
In a Golden Boy Promotions press release, Ramirez outlined his goals for the cruiserweight division.
“I’m excited to step back into the ring this June to defend my WBA and WBO titles. This fight marks my WBA mandatory, and I know I need to get past this opponent to stay on track in my journey toward greatness—and ultimately, to become the undisputed champion.
“I’ve been training non-stop and feel sharper than ever as I continue to grow and mature in the sport. The goal hasn’t changed. I’m locked in, and I’m proud to be featured on this card alongside Jake Paul and my good friend Julio César Chávez Jr. A big thank you to my team, Golden Boy Promotions, MVP, the WBA, the WBO, and all my fans. I can’t wait to put on a show you won’t forget.”
Dorticós, a former WBA and IBF titleholder with 25 stoppages in 27 wins, may not match Ramirez’s boxing finesse but poses a threat with his punching power.
“I want to thank MVP, my promoters and Golden Boy for this opportunity,” said Dorticós.
“My goal is to become a three-time world champion, and now by fighting Zurdo Ramirez I have been granted the chance to accomplish my goals on Saturday, June 28.”
