Gilberto Ramirez vs Jesse Hart 2: Revenge or Repeat
In a much-anticipated rematch, WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will make his fifth title defense against Jesse “Hollywood” Hart.
Date: Friday, December 14, 2018
Location: American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas
Time: 10 p.m. (ET)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
If revenge is a dish best served cold, Jesse Hart has intentions of supplying Gilberto Ramirez a plate out the freezer. In September of 2017, the two highly skilled super-middleweights clashed at the Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona.
Both fighters entered the ring focused. Hart, the challenger, donned a black hat with the word “WAR” on the front; reminiscent of Philadelphia great Marvin Hagler. Ramirez, on the other hand, approached paying homage to his Mexican heritage.
Nonetheless, the ebb and flow of the ensuing contest would pass through many grit-testing phases.
Ramirez, utilizing an aggressive style, took the early lead by downing the challenger with a left uppercut in round two. However, Hart, recovered to have his moments; landing clean right-crosses. All in all, the champions’ strategy kept Hart off balance and produced an entertaining unanimous decision victory.
Gilberto Ramirez (38-0, 25 KOs)
“Zurdo,” as he is more commonly known, won the WBO title in April of 2016 when he defeated Arthur Abraham. Since then, the champion has beaten three undefeated fighters and defended his crown a total of four times.
His height, subtle power punches, and herky-jerky style make him very complicated to figure out. In June, he collided with Roamer Alexis Angulo (23-0) of Columbia. The heavy-handed challenger would prove to be a lot tougher than his nameless record suggest.
Round after round, Ramirez found himself eating an occasional big shot from Angulo; even looking perplexed at times. However, the champions’ boxing was enough to carry him to a points victory, but not without a bit of criticism.
Advice to Ramirez
Keep the pressure on Hart with a stiff jab and never let him establish himself. Body shots worked perfectly in the first fight.
Jesse Hart (25-1, 21 KOs)
Since losing to Ramirez, Hart compiled three back-to-back victories, knocking each opponent out in less than ten rounds. In his most recent outing, he defended his NABF title against Mike Gavronski (24-2-1).
At a significant height and reach disadvantage, the challenger never stood a chance against Hart’s superior boxing. The end would subsequently come in the third-round with Gavronski hitting the canvas twice.
Advice to Hart
Establish the distance with your jab; use the uppercut when Zurdo leans forward. Wasted movement is unnecessary.
Writer’s suggestion
If you’re not doing anything Friday, this battle is worth the price of admission. Lingering questions hover around both fighters and their abilities.
For “Zurdo,” his last performance wasn’t what fans were accustomed to seeing. Sure, no one is perfect, but at his level expectations are high and have to be exceeded against certain opposition.
In Hart’s case, boxing enthusiasts want to know if he has what it takes to win a major world championship. The skillful boxer performs very-well against lesser fighters, but a career-defining victory eludes his resumé. Falling to Ramirez in the first bout reassured detractors that his potential has its limits.
Outcome
Zurdo wins by Split Decision.
By: Cessell Robinson
