WBA Orders Dmitry Bivol to Negotiate with Mandatory Challenger Gilberto Ramirez
In boxing, fighters are always chasing a championship fight. The key is to keep winning to move up the ranks and eventually the sanctioning bodies will help. That is the situation for WBA number one contender Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-0, 30KO). The former WBO super middleweight champion is getting a shot at WBA Super light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol (20-0, 11KO).
These two have been crossing paths since 2021, and it looks like they will finally get it on as the WBA has ordered Bivol to defend the title against Zurdo. If you have followed this story, it was inevitable that the WBA would order this fight, which Ramirez has been calling for. During an interview with 3kingsboxing.com, Ramirez vigorously pushed back on claims that Bivol sent him a contract.
THE WBA OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The WBA gave a detailed reason for ordering Bivol v Ramirez and announced the decision on social media.
“The pioneer organization sent the communication to each team on Monday, July 11, explaining that they have 30 days to negotiate the fight as established by the WBA rules by August 10.
Bivol’s champion period is conditioned to a term of 24 months and his last mandatory fight was on March 3, 2018. His next one was to be after March 2020. For that reason, he must face Ramirez.”
Now, providing neither team can reach an agreement, then a purse bid is the next course of action by the WBA. This should be music to Zurdo’s ears, who has been trying to get in the mix with any of the champions since moving up to the division back in 2019.
3Kings Boxing will monitor the situation and report any further development
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By: Garrisson Bland
