Gilberto Ramirez-Sullivan Barrera light heavyweight bout set for July 9

LOS ANGELES, CA (Might 18, 2021): Undefeated contender Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (41-0, 27 KOs) will make his Golden Boy debut in a Mexico vs. Cuba battle as he takes on Sullivan Barrera (22-3, 14 KOs) in a 12-round gentle heavyweight battle. The occasion will happen on Friday, July 9 and will probably be streamed reside solely on DAZN worldwide.

Particulars concerning the venue, which will probably be in Los Angeles, will probably be introduced shortly.

“There are a number of main gamers within the gentle heavyweight division proper now, and Gilberto Ramirez is able to display that he’s very a lot amongst them,” mentioned Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Sullivan Barrera possesses a adorned newbie background and has a number of expertise on this weight class, however Ramirez is completely dedicated to changing into a two-division champion. Zurdo’s world title marketing campaign and his journey to 50-0 will begin on July 9.”

Regardless of being solely 29 years previous, Ramirez has over a decade of expertise beneath his belt, debuting as knowledgeable in 2009 and embarking on a profession that might see him defeating the likes of Maxim Vlasov, Jessie “Exhausting Work” Hart and “King” Arthur Abraham, whom he defeated to grow to be the WBO Tremendous Middleweight World Champion. After 5 defenses of his belt, Ramirez moved as much as gentle heavyweight, the place he has scored wins towards Thomas “Kryptonite” Karpency and Alfonso “El Tigre” Lopez. Ramirez’s purpose is to keep up his undefeated streak past 50 fights and to grow to be a two-division world champion.

“I’m excited to be headlining this present in Los Angeles with Golden Boy Promotions,” mentioned Gilberto Ramirez. “It’s going to be an ideal evening of boxing with followers again within the stands. I’ve at all times loved preventing right here, and I can’t wait to placed on a present to proceed my hunt for the sunshine heavyweight championship. I admire Oscar and the Golden Boy household for his or her love and assist, and I look will ahead to an ideal evening of boxing.”

In 2009, Barrera culminated a spectacular newbie profession, defected from Cuba to the US, and made his skilled debut in Miami, Florida. In solely his eighth battle, he captured two regional titles by defeating Frank Paines, which he adopted with victories towards the likes of Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy and Karo Murat. Barrera suffered his first defeat towards Andre “S.O.G.” Ward, however returned to attain wins towards Vyacheslav “Lion Coronary heart” Shabranskyy and Joe Smith Jr. The 39-year-old contender has additionally confronted the likes of Dmitry Bivol, Sean Monaghan and Jesse Hart.

“I’m excited to have the chance to headline such a giant card towards Gilberto Ramirez,” mentioned Sullivan Barrera. “I do know that my opponent is a former world champion with a number of expertise and that he’ll come very a lot ready. Nevertheless, I really feel that I’ve confronted a lot better opposition. I’ve additionally spent my whole profession within the gentle heavyweight division, one thing that will probably be completely new for him. It will likely be a troublesome battle, however I’ll stroll away with my fingers raised in victory.”

Within the co-main occasion, Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr. (31-1-1, 15 KOs) of South El Monte, California will step as much as 135 kilos to tackle Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (36-2-1, 25 KOs) of La Romana, Dominican Republic in a 12-round bout.

“I’m stepping in for Ryan Garcia to problem Javier Fortuna,” mentioned Joseph Diaz Jr. “I want him nothing however one of the best. Psychological well being is a vital matter that individuals ought to cope with. I’m excited and able to go on the market and redeem myself to all my followers. I’m extraordinarily centered and locked in. Combat evening goes to be a film. I’ll be placing the entire 130 and 135-pound division on discover.”

“I’m very glad that Jo Jo Diaz has accepted the problem to face me, so long as after the battle he makes no excuses for getting knocked out”, mentioned Javier Fortuna. “I give Diaz credit score for having the balls to battle me. Devin Haney doesn’t have these balls. However after I win this battle, Haney can have 90 days to seek out them. Haney can run however he can’t cover. Combat me or quit the WBC title!”

Press launch courtesy of Golden Boy Promotions.