Gilberto Ramirez pulls out of WBC eliminator
Former WBO Super Middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (41-0, 27ko) has pulled out of the WBC eliminator against former WBC Silver titlist “Sir” Marcus Browne (23-1, 16ko).
This news comes as a shock. The WBC pushed back the original February 5 purse bid date to February 12 upon the request of team Ramirez. Equally important, Ramirez pulled out an ordered WBO eliminator against former champion Eleider Alvarez back in 2020.
The WBC would issue a statement on their website expressing their disappointment after accommodating the former champion’s request.
“The WBC has just received a communication from Gilberto Ramirez management withdrawing from the WBC ordered fight against Marcus Browne for the interim light heavyweight title fight.”
“It is unfortunate as team Ramirez had asked for an extension to the free negotiations period only to back out at the last minute, consequently the purse bid scheduled for tomorrow has now been canceled.”
WHAT NOW?
It is going to be hard to figure out what the future in the division will hold for the Zurdo. After leaving powerhouse promotional company Top Rank back in 2019, the Mexican fighter fought once in 2020 under his own promotional banner, Zurdo Promotions, against veteran Alfonzo Lopez.
Furthermore, Ramirez ranks number four with the WBA. There is a slim chance that he can make a fight with the organization’s super champion, Dmitry Bivol.
As of right now, there has been no other opponent named to fight Browne for the interim title. However, looking at the rankings, the number two ranked fighter is WBA ‘regular’ champion Jean Pascal. It is more than likely he will not entertain fighting for an eliminator.
This means we could see a 2019 rematch between Browne and former WBA ‘regular’ champion Badou Jack, the number four ranked fighter. Browne took to social media indicating good reason for Zurdo to worry about fighting him.
By: Garrisson Bland
