FORMER WBC and lineal light-heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk has called for a meeting with undefeated Venezuelan Albert Ramirez. Gvozdyk wants a big fight off the back of a full camp, after turning down a late offer to take on the South American southpaw in Libya last Friday.
Recent whispers suggested that Gvozdyk, 21-2 (17 KOs), was being lined up for an intriguing meeting with America’s Khalil Coe, 10-1-1 (8 KOs), who impressed when avenging his defeat to Manuel Gallegos back in May.
However, Boxing News revealed yesterday that Coe and his team have instead opted to take on Philadelphia’s Jesse Hart, 31-3 (25 KOs), despite Gvozdyk accepting a deal to go toe-to-toe with ‘Big Steppa’.
Speaking exclusively with Boxing News, Gvozdyk also declared his plans to take on WBA Interim light-heavyweight champion Albert Ramirez, 22-0 (19 KOs), detailing that he had received an offer to step in and face the El Vigia-born contender in Benghazi on short notice just a few weeks ago.
“Albert Ramirez recently fought in Libya and congratulations to him on a great performance. His people approached me three weeks before this fight and offered me to step in.
“Now he has won that fight and, if they really want to fight me, I’m available. I think this fight makes perfect sense in terms of ratings. Unless they are not so sure [of defeating me] and are looking to catch me on short notice.”
As Gvozdyk mentions, Ramirez proceeded with a contest against Jerome Pampellone last Friday, where he dominated en route to a seventh-round stoppage that saw him claim the WBA Interim light-heavyweight strap.
As a result, Ramirez could soon be upgraded to full world champion or lined up as an opponent for undisputed champion Dmitry Bivol, once he has recovered from a recent back injury.
Yet, with three fights to his name already this calendar year, the extremely active Ramirez may see a first meeting with a former world champion in Gvozdyk as ideal preparation and the logical next step before any world title challenge, as opposed to playing the waiting game.
