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By Dan Ambrose: Trainer Joel Diaz predicts a “dominating” victory for WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol against Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez if that fight comes off next.

Ramirez’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya, is talking crazy this week, saying that Zurdo will avenge Canelo Alvarez and Mexico’s loss by beating Bivol.

The basic idea is that Ramirez defeating Bivol would erase the masterclass performance Dmitry put in with his 12-round unanimous decision win over Canelo on May 7th in Paradise, Las Vegas.

According to Diaz, Bivol will beat the 31-year-old Ramirez because he possesses superior speed, mobility & technical ability.

In other words, Bivol is the far better all-around fighter than the 6’3″ Ramirez, who is a straight-ahead plodder type of guy. It’s disappointing that Ramirez’s game hasn’t improved during his 13-year professional career.

Indeed, it’s fair to say that Ramirez has gotten worse rather than improved his game. Gilberto’s hand speed is slower than it was six years ago, and his defense & mobility are just as poor as it’s always been.

Ramirez’s foot & hand speed have deteriorated over the years, and he looks very sluggish now.

Diaz isn’t sure Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) will be facing the former WBO 168-lb champion Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) next because it’ll be up to his management & promoter whether he’ll take that fight.

Earlier this week, on July 11th, the World Boxing Association ordered Bivol to defend against Zurdo Ramirez next. However, Bivol’s promoter Eddie Hearn says he will ask the WBA for an exemption to let him make a voluntary defense against #2 Joshua Buatsi (16-0, 12 KOs) in October in London.

Hearn says Ramirez would fight the winner of the Bivol vs. Buatsi fight afterward. Ramirez would still get his shot at the WBA light heavyweight title but would need to wait a bit longer.

“Come on, Zurdo is a great fighter, a great person; he’s one of the best Mexican fighters at the time right now, but stylistically, Bivol has a lot more boxing ability,” said Joel Diaz to ESNEWS when asked about who wins between Dmitry Bivol and Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez.

“I see Bivol dominating Zurdo. Why? Footwork, speed. He’s more technical, in other words,” Diaz continued his view that the unbeaten WBA 175-lb champion Bivol is too talented for former WBO super middleweight champion Ramirez.

“Zurdo is a come forward, try to break you with one punch [type of fighter]. I see Bivol being the smarter boxer.

“If it happens, it happens. I just don’t know right now. We’re just waiting on the management or the promotion,” said Diaz on whether Bivol will fight Zurdo Ramirez next or not.

With Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn’s charisma and pull, it’s predictable that the WBA will agree to allow Bivol to defend against Buatsi next in October rather than face Ramirez.

https://youtu.be/RKE98vBlGOA?t=6