Gilberto Ramirez To Golovkin: Right Here is a True Mexican!
By Miguel Rivera –
World Boxing Organization super middleweight world champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (34-0, 24KOs) will defend his belt for the first time on the 23rd of July at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, as part of the HBO Pay-Per-View undercard to Terence Crawford vs. Viktor Postol.
Ramirez captured the world title at the same venue on April 9th with a twelve round decision over longtime champion Arthur Abraham on the Pacquaio-Bradley undercard.
According to Ramirez’s co-promoter, Jesus Zapari – he really wants to get in the ring with WBA/IBO/IBF middleweight champion Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin (35-0, 32KOs).
Ramirez’s other promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, is fully on board to make that fight.
“We just need to see the opponent, but the date is July 23 in the co-feature of Crawford and Postol on HBO Pay-Per-View,” said Zapari to ESPN Deportes. “I think there’s enough time for a good preparation. I think 12 to 13 weeks is a good timeframe, and we’re expecting nothing other than Bob Arum telling us the opponent.”
Golovkin is the mandatory challenger to the WBC middleweight title held by Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. If Canelo defeats Amir Khan on May 7th, and the refuses to fight Golovkin, then Ramirez is ready to step in there for a fight.
Golovkin says Ramirez needs to raise his profile with a few more fights. The upcoming July date will be Ramirez’s second fight on HBO PPV.
“If he wants it. We’re ready to go ahead. We are ready to fight him and right here is a true Mexican,” Ramirez said.
Zapari says Ramirez will raise himself to a new level by facing someone like Golovkin.
“We like that fight, it is what we want. I definitely do not see it as an easy fight for Golovkin. I think which it is one of those fights that would launch Ramirez to great heights,” Zapari said.
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