Bob Arum Discusses Possible Plans for Oleksandr Gvozdyk
Oleksandr Gvozdyk put up a valiant effort in a tenth-round stoppage loss to Artur Beterbiev. In the process, Gvozdyk (17-1, 14 KO’s) lost the WBC Light Heavyweight title. However, he fought well and was in fact leading on two of the three judges scorecards at the time of the stoppage. Even in defeat, Gvozdyk proved he’s one of the elite fighters in the 175-pound division.
Bob Arum, head of Top Rank and promoter of Gvozdyk, spoke with reporters following the bout with Beterbiev. He provided some insight on the moves for the former champion moving forward. Arum would like to set up a fight between Gvozdyk and former WBO Super-Middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (40-0, 26 KO’s).
When it comes to the light heavyweight division, Bob Arum has the division basically on lock. His stable comprises Gvozdyk, Ramirez, WBC/IBF Light Heavyweight champion Beterbiev, and WBO Light Heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev. Because of this Arum, has the flexibility to basically pick and choose which fights he wants to make in the division.
Here’s another interesting thing about a potential fight between Gvozdyk and Ramirez. Going into his fight with Beterbiev, Ramirez was listed as the WBC’s top Light Heavyweight contender. If Gvozdyk had defeated Beterbiev, his next fight probably would have been against Ramirez to begin with.
So if Arum goes through with what he told the media, could Gvozdyk – Ramirez be an eliminator bout with the winner to fight Beterbiev at some point in 2020?
Bob Arum is playing chess right now in a light heavyweight division loaded with good fighters. Stay tuned to 3KingsBoxing as will give you all the latest on Arum’s chess-playing as he sits back and orchestrates his next moves on the board.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
