Oscar De La Hoya Openly Pushes for Gilberto Ramirez to Fight at Cruiserweight
One-time WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) disgraced himself when his scheduled March 19 fight with Gabriel Rosado was scrapped after Ramirez came in grossly overweight during the pre-fight weigh-in. No one was happy about it, including his promoter, Golden Boy. But there may be a reprieve for the former world champion, possibly in a different division.
THINKING OUT LOUD
Ramirez – Rosado was to be the main event of a Golden Boy Promotions event in Long Beach, California on DAZN. During the event, Zurdo’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, voiced frustration about Ramirez. However, the CEO of Golden Boy then offered up a possible scenario for his fighter moving forward.
“Why not go up in weight and fight Badou Jack? He just crowned himself world champion. It’ll be a great fight. So, hopefully, we can make that fight happen soon.”
After vacating the WBO super middleweight title due to issues making the 168-pound weight limit, Zurdo moved to light heavyweight in 2019. At 6’2 ½” and with a big frame, it could be a case that the 31-year-old’s body is starting to mature.
NOT A RIDICULOUS NOTION
The interesting thing is that Ramirez has previously hinted about fighting beyond light heavyweight. During an exclusive interview with 3Kings Boxing, the Mexican said the following:
“Well, it’s interesting because I’m big for 175. I know I can make 200, 200-plus, easy. I just need to eat more tacos, tortillas, and that’s it . . . I can fight in any division from light heavyweight to the top.”
Jack (28-3-3, 17 KOs) is coming off an eleventh-round stoppage of Ilunga Makabu to win the WBC cruiserweight title on February 26. At age 39, the cruiserweight champion is looking for high-profile, big money fights.
With their sizable profile, Golden Boy could entice Jack to make his first title defense against Ramirez. The current saga of Ramirez is just the latest example of how boxing is a sport that is full of twists and turns
