Ramirez wins unanimous decision for WBA world cruiserweight title
INGLEWOOD » Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez made history Saturday, becoming the first Mexican national to claim a boxing world championship title at cruiserweight.
Coming in as the betting favorite against undefeated WBA super world cruiserweight title holder Arsen Goulamirian, who prior to his appearance at the YouTube Theater had not fought outside of a French-speaking locale, Ramirez took the Armenian-born
champion's title and undefeated status with a well-earned unanimous decision (118-110, 118110, 118-110).
The victory turned Ramirez into a two-time world champion, adding to his legacy as the first and only Mexican to hold a super middleweight title at 168 pounds, which he won in 2016.
Two years ago, the southpaw Ramirez fell short in his attempt to match his countryman Julio Cesar Gonzalez as light heavyweight champion, as he was out-classed against the still-unbeaten Dmitry Bivol.
Intent on becoming a “legend,” Ramirez (461, 30 KOs) said that despite never fighting at the 200-pound cruiserweight limit the division suited him as he prepared to face Goulamirian.
Goulamirian last fought in November of 2022. He may have carried more power with him into the ring, but could not respond against the varied approach offered by the new 32-year-old champion from Mazatlan, who also showed a stout chin during numerous exchanges as the fight unfolded.
Referee Jack Reiss had little to do throughout their 36 minute tussle.
Opening with a pace usually reserved for lighter weight classes, Ramirez used a straight to pop Goulamirian's head early in the second.
The now-defeated champion responded when he could close the gap, cracking Ramirez with a right to the body and left hook to the head, but as the fight unfolded it was the Mexican's slick work on the inside that surprised Goulamirian and his corner, said trainer, Abel Sanchez.
Ramirez ate numerous power punches, but kept up his pace against the 36-yearold Frenchman, who said he felt ring-rust until the latter stages of the fight.
The uppercut up the middle was Ramirez's best weapon of the fight, repeatedly connecting against Goulamirian (27-1, 18 KOs) as he staked out the center of the ring or worked against the ropes.
Goulamirian's straightahead approach played into Ramirez's plan. The Mexican stepped in and out, stuck and moved, and flirted with danger with his back to the ropes.
But he generally found room to circle away creating space when he wanted, en route to compiling lopsided punch stats in his favor.
Goualamirian defended the title thanks to a special permit granted by the WBA, which assigned him a mandatory title challenger, Cuban Yunier Dorticos, last October.