Boxing results: Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez defeats Joe Smith, Jr. In Las Vegas!

By Ken Hissner: At the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas, Nevada, Saturday over DAZN promoters Oscar De La Hoya (Golden Boy Promotions) and Joe DeGuardia (Star Boxing) presented in the Main Event former WBO Super Middle champ Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez and former WBO Light Heavy champ Joe Smith, Jr. who was returning after fifteen months.

In the Main Event former WBO Super Middle champ southpaw Gilberto Ramirez, 44-1 (30), #191 ½, of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, MEX, former WBO Light Heavy champ Joe Smith, Jr., 28-4 (22), #191 ¾, of Long Island, NY, 10 rounds in a title eliminator.

In the first round Ramirez used Smith for target practice. In the second round more of the same until the final seconds when Smith landed a right to the chin of Ramirez. In the third it was more of the same as Smith’s inactivity showed how rusty he was.

In the fourth round Smith finally started landing punches in taking the round. In the fifth round Smith started fast before Ramirez took over the rest of the way. In the sixth round Smith was plodding forward as Ramirez countered him at will. In the seventh round Smith started landing punches having Ramirez covering up for the most part.

In the eighth round Ramirez had Smith on the receiving end for the most part of the round with Smith suffering an abrasion under his right eye. In the ninth rounds first two minutes Smith matched Ramirez punch for punch before Ramirez took over in the final minute.

The referee was Tony Weeks.

WBA Inter-Continental Super Middle southpaw 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist Bektemir ‘Bully’ Melikuziev, 13-1 (10), #167 ¼, of UZB and Indio, CA, stopped Alantez ‘SlyAza’ Fox, 28-5-1 (13), #167 ½, of Upper Marlboro, MD, at 2:44 of the fourth round of a scheduled 10 rounds.

In the first round Melikuziev rocked Fox with an overhand left on the chin. Fox managed to get through the round. In the second round a lead left from southpaw Melikuziev followed by a right hook to the chin stunned Fox early in the round. The taller Fox tried to use his jab but to no avail who got hurt with a body shot just prior to the bell.

In the third rounds final seconds Melikuziev had Fox covering up in a corner. Melikuziev suffered a small cut on his left eyebrow and forehead.

In the fourth round a body shot caused a delayed knockdown by Melikuziev. A three punch combination on the chin from Melikuziev caused Referee Alan Huggins to call a halt to a complaining Fox.

Super Middle ‘DFG’ Darius Fulghum, 8-0 (8), #170 ¼, of Houston, TEX, knocked out Alan ‘Amenaza’ Campa, 18-9 (12), #168 ¾, of Guaymas, Sonora, MEX, at 2:58 of the first round of a scheduled 8 rounds.

In the first round it was all Fulghum. He landed a left to the body followed by another after a right and down went Campa for the count from Referee Robert Hoyle.

Super Welter Eric Tudor, 9-1 (6), #153 ½, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, suffered his first loss to Jose ‘El Guerro’ Luis Sanchez, 14-3-1 (4), #153 ¾, of Albuquerque, NM, over 8 grueling rounds.

In the first two rounds the taller Tudor countered the aggressive Sanchez taking both rounds. In the third round Sanchez warned for the second time hitting on the back of Tudor by Referee Raul Caiz, Jr. It was another round for Tudor showing good boxing skills. Tudor complaining in the corner he couldn’t see out of his left eye.

In fourth round Sanchez had his best round landing more punches than Tudor. In the fifth round Sanchez continued landing with accuracy as he kept going straight ahead landing punches even landing a power jab knocking back the head of Tudor whose left eye is slowly closing.

In the sixth round Sanchez coming in low was hit by Tudor uppercuts. Sanchez came back swarming Tudor with a flurry of punches before getting countered by Tudor. In the seventh round Sanchez kept up the pace never letting up as Tudor was on the defense getting rocked midway against the ropes.

In the eighth and final round both had their moments, right to the bell with Sanchez having the edge.

Scores were 78-74 and 77-75 twice as well as KH.

Cruiser Tristan ‘Street T’ Kalkreuth, 12-1 (9), #199 ¼, of Duncanville, TX, stopped Aaron ‘Ghozt Mas’ Casper, 7-5-2 (5), #193, of Augusta, GA, after 5 rounds of a scheduled 8 rounds.

Referee Robert Hoyle.

Light Daniel Luna, 3-1 (3), #133 ¾, of Victorville, CA, lost to Erik ‘Aidahoe’ Garcia Benitez, 5-5 (1), #134 ¼, of Guadalajara, Jalisco, MEX, over 4 rounds.

Scores were 40-36 twice and 39-37.

Super Welter Jahyae Brown, 13-2 (9), #152 ½, of Schenectady, NY, lost a majority decision to Victor Toney, 8-2-1 (6), #156 ½, of Niles, OH, over 8 rounds.

Scores were 77-75 twice and 76-76.

Ring Announcer Joe Martinez