Gilbert Ramirez officially part ways with Top Rank, now a free agent
After a long battle with promotional giant Top Rank, former WBO World Super Middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez (40-0, 26 KOs) disclosed on his Instagram page that they have come to a mutual agreement to part ways.
The 28-year-old from Sinaloa, Mexico thanked his former promoters for all that they’ve done for him. Yet, he is also looking forward to the next stage of his career.
His manager, David Suh, said to ESPN Deportes that Ramirez has received word from his team of lawyers a deal has been struck and the contract with Top Rank has ended. The first Mexican fighter to win a world 168-pound title is officially free to sign with any promoter moving forward.
DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS
With the fighter known as “Zurdo” now on the open market, the question now becomes: what is his next move? Look for the likes of Matchroom Boxing or Golden Boy promotions to make a push to sign him.
With fighters like WBA Super World Super Middleweight champion Callum Smith (27-0, 19 KOs) as well as WBA World “Super” Light Heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol (17-0, 11 KOs) on the roster, you could see Eddie Hearn, CEO of Matchroom, fancying a showdown between Ramirez with either Smith or Bivol.
And as for Golden Boy, they have the current golden goose of the sport, “Canelo” Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs). Canelo is currently the WBA “Regular” World Super Middleweight champion. It’s pretty easy to envision them inking a deal with Ramirez, then mapping out the blueprint and hype machine for an Alvarez – Ramirez, all-Mexican showdown.
This is a gamble on the part of the former world champ. Not exactly a boxing cash cow, it’s imperative he makes the right move to get the big-money fights he desires.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
