By Jim Calfa: Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez wants to prove that he’s still world championship material when he fights Gabe Rosado on March 18th in an important fight that their promoters at Golden Boy Promotions are calling a “crossroads” match-up when the two headline on DAZN in a 12 round match.
Rosado (26-16-1, 15 KOs), with his sixteen defeats and three-fight losing streak, is already viewed as past it in the eyes of boxing fans.
The only question about this fight is whether the former WBO super middleweight champion ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) is still championship material.
Ramirez’s embarrassingly one-sided 12 round unanimous decision defeat last November at the hands of WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol showed that he’s light years away from capturing a world title at 175, and his only hope after that performance of winning a world title is if one of the two champions in the division retire or get old overnight.
Ramirez wants to prove himself
“It’s going to be an exciting fight. I know Gabriel [Rosado], and I respect him. We’re friends, but in the ring, it’s business,” said Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez to Fighthype about his March 18th fight on DAZN against Gabe Rosado.
“I want to prove that I’m the best fighter. I got into boxing because I want to prove to myself, and when I become champion again, I will for sure.
“It wasn’t my night. I don’t take anything away from him. He’s a great warrior. I made some mistakes, and it won’t happen again. I will come back strong,” said Ramirez when asked about his loss to WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol last November.
“I think the footwork. I was out of balance, and like I said, it wasn’t my night. I respect him, he’s a great champion, and he has heavy hands, but not to knock me out. It was a great fight for me, and I learned a lot.
“That’s a good fight. People want to see that kind of fight. I think Benavidez can do something. I think he can stop him in seven rounds,” said Ramirez in predicting a knockout win for David Benavidez over Caleb Plant on March 25th. “I like Benavidez.
“He can do good,” said Ramirez when asked how Benavidez would do against Bivol. “Benavidez is 168, big, natural, and eventually, you have to move up. I want to see those type of fights,” said Ramirez.