Gilbert Ramirez and Golden Boy Promotions Agree to a Multi-Fight Deal
Gilberto Ramirez (41-0, 27 KOs) was a fighter in flux. Despite being an undefeated record and a former WBO World Super Middleweight champion, things were stagnant. The 29-year-old from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico has received the much-needed booster to revitalize his career.
Golden Boy Promotions has announced they have signed Ramirez to a multi-fight deal. Now campaigning as a light heavyweight, he is hopeful this takes him to next level.
“After several discussions, Golden Boy Promotions made the most sense and felt like the best partners for me. They understood the goals and the agendas I have, and I have full faith in Oscar and the team to make the big fights happen. I look forward to working with them closely and to this new chapter of my career.”
Before this deal, he was a free agent. Ramirez was previously signed with Top Rank, but the two mutually agreed to part ways in July of 2020.
Golden Boy sees potential in signing the Mexican. According to the company’s Chairman/CEO, Oscar De La Hoya, the partnership can yield fruitful results.
“Mexican boxing has been a worldwide force in this sport for as long as I can remember. Along with its legacy of courageous fighters, it possesses a fanbase with a unique culture and energy that comes alive every single time its fighters step into the ring.
That’s why we are delighted to have signed Gilberto Ramirez to a multi-fight deal, an undefeated former world champion from the land of warriors in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico.
As we in the United States look towards re-opening to bigger and bigger audiences, we know that Ramirez will bring even more excitement to the stacked 175-pound division as he sets course for all the world champions.”
BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH SIDES
This is a deal that makes sense for all parties. Ramirez was in danger of becoming an afterthought. He does not draw a lot of cache from either his fighting style or his personality outside the ring. His last fight was a 10th round TKO win over Alfonzo Lopez in December 2020. It was met with very little attention among boxing fans.
Truthfully, the only attention-grabbing thing about him is his nickname, “Zurdo”. He needed to sign with one of the game’s power-players. It is the only way he has any chance of getting a significant, big-money fight.
Conversely, it behooves Golden Boy to sign Ramirez, promote him, and promote him heavily. When Canelo sued and ultimately parted ways with Golden Boy in November 2020, that was a huge hit to their roster. Is Ramirez a suitable replacement for the loss of Canelo? No.
However, he is a Mexican fighter of some note. Based on resume and talent, Ramirez fits smack dab in the middle of the light heavyweight landscape.
Currently ranked #1 by the WBC at 175, you can envision them working behind the scenes to set up an eventual showdown with unified IBF/WBC champion Artur Beterbiev. Details of the agreement between Golden Boy and Ramirez were not disclosed. It is unknown when his debut with the company will take occur.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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