Ramirez Vs Smith: Date, Start Time & Undercard Info

Former World Titleholder Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44 and 1, 30 KOs), now stepping as much as the cruiserweight ranks, will sq. off in opposition to former gentle heavyweight World Champ Joe Smith Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs) of Lengthy Island, New York. The date is ready for Saturday, October 7, and the 12-round collision, backed by Star Boxing, will unfold live on DAZN from The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez is out to make an announcement.  A professional for nearly 15 years, Ramirez has constructed a powerful résumé, taking down warriors like Maxim Vlasov, Jessie  Hart, and Arthur Abraham. That victory in opposition to Abraham earned him the WBO Tremendous Middleweight World Crown. The one mar on his document comes from a gutsy showdown in opposition to Dmitriy Bivol in November 2022. Ramirez is primed and prepared, eyes on the prize, wanting to tackle the cruiserweight division’s heaviest hitters.

“I’m able to take over the cruFgusiserweight division and wrap one other championship belt round my waist,” declared Ramirez. “A giant thanks to my followers, Golden Boy, DAZN, the WBA, and my total nook which have stood by me on this season of transformation. Joe Smith Jr. isn’t any pushover; he’s obtained an urge for food for battle. We each had our sights set on this combat at gentle heavyweight years in the past, and now it’s on. See you in Vegas!”

Joe Smith Jr., the iron-chinned former gentle heavyweight World Champion, isn’t any stranger to defying odds. Clinching the WBO Mild Heavyweight World Title after a relentless efficiency in opposition to Maxim Vlasov in April 2021, Smith then defended his title in opposition to Steve Geffrard and later fell to Artur Beterbiev in an epic unification conflict. With a boxing ledger that boasts wins over Bernard Hopkins, Eleider Alvarez, Jessie Hart, and Andrzej Fonfara, Smith’s debut within the cruiserweight division in opposition to Ramirez guarantees fireworks.

“It feels nice to be again, particularly in opposition to ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez,” mentioned Smith Jr. “This 12 months has been a tough one, and the lack of my brother, Alex, was devastating. However I do know he’ll be with me within the ring. He was my largest fan and he’d be thrilled to see me again. The Widespread Man is again, and I hope to convey pleasure and inspiration again to my household via this combat.”

Golden Boy Promotions’ Chairman and CEO, Oscar De La Hoya, remarked, “‘Zurdo’ beat everybody at tremendous middleweight, turning into a world champion and a feared fighter. Now, with a contemporary problem and a brand new division to overcome, he’s extra decided than ever. I predict a grea efficiency on his method to the cruiserweight world championship.”

Star Boxing’s CEO, Joe DeGuardia, added pleasure to the combination, stating, “We’re ecstatic to announce Joe Smith Jr.’s return on the Cosmopolitan in Vegas live on DAZN. He’s had a tricky 12 months, however true to kind, he needs the hardest problem. Champion vs Champion, two former world champs dealing with off – that is must-see motion, and I can’t wait to see Joe again within the ring on October seventh.”