Gilberto Ramírez Cruises To Decision Win Over Joe Smith Jr.

Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez (45-1, 30 KOs) cruised to a ten-round unanimous decision victory against Joe Smith Jr. (28-5, 22 KOs) on Saturday night. Ramírez won with scores of 99-91 (x3). The cruiserweight fight headlined an event at the Chelsea Ballroom in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in Nevada, USA. DAZN broadcasted the event live around the world.

The bout began with Smith pushing forward and landing shots to the body. On the other hand, Ramírez found success in landing to the head as Smith came towards him. As the rounds went on, Smith found himself chasing Ramírez, who was lighter on his feet compared to past fights. Ramírez also started having success landing to the body.

By the middle rounds, it was Ramírez who was backing up Smith and landing cleanly to the body and head. Whenever Ramírez was backed into a corner, he would turn and move Smith into the corner. Smith had some success with looping shots, but Ramírez continued to win the rounds by punching and moving. Despite his corner encouraging him to increase his punch output, Smith struggled to do so, something he himself admitted post-fight.

In the end, Ramírez’s style won him the bout as all three judges saw him as the victor. The win also gives Ramírez his first victory at cruiserweight. Additionally, he is now in line for a world title as this clash was billed as a WBA eliminator. Currently, Arsen Goulamirian (27-0, 18 KOs) holds the belt.

These two!! Ending the round on a strong note!#ZurdoSmith | LIVE on DAZN pic.twitter.com/H1KaZ1ap6E

— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) October 8, 2023

Post-fight comments

When asked about what he wants to do next, Ramírez’s response was clear:

“World champion,” said Ramírez. “World champion. I’m back, Zurdo Ramírez is back!”

“He [Smith] is a tough opponent, he was a tough opponent. The whole time I felt he was going to be on the top of the cards, but I didn’t trust him because I knew he has heavy hands. A lot of hard work was the key to this new version, but I have to get back to training and keep sharp. Zurdo is back, with more strength and more balls,” said Ramírez.

Ramírez-Smith undercard results

Bektemir Melikuziev (13-1, 10 KOs) won via stoppage in a ten-round super middleweight clash against Alantez Fox (28-5-1, 13 KOs, 1 NC). Fox went to the canvas in round four following a body shot. After a barrage of punches from Melikuziev, referee Allen Huggins waved the fight off at the 2:44 mark of the fourth round.

Darius Fulghum (8-0, 8 KOs) maintained his knockout streak with the stoppage of Alan Campa (18-9, 12 KOs, 1 NC). This super middleweight bout was halted at the 2:58 mark of the first round.

In an eight-round cruiserweight clash, Tristan Kalkreuth won via corner retirement after the end of round five. Aaron Casper (7-5-2, 5 KOs) went to the canvas in rounds two and five before his team ended the fight.

Jose Sanchez (14-3-1, 4 KOs) won an eight-round unanimous decision against Eric Tudor (9-1, 6 KOs). Scores for this super welterweight fight were 78-74 and 77-75 (x2).

Erick Benitez (5-5, 1 KO) won a four-round unanimous decision against recent Golden Boy Promotions signing Daniel Luna (3-1, 3 KOs). Scores for this lightweight bout were 40-36 (x2) and 39-37.

In an eight-round super welterweight clash, Victor Toney (8-2-1, 6 KOs) won a majority decision over Jahyae Brown (13-2, 9 KOs). A score of 76-76 was overturned by scores of 77-75.