Via Sean Jones: Oscar De La Hoya is giving Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez a “big “ chance to beat favorite Dmitry Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) on Saturday, November 5 in their 1:30pm ET card live on DAZN at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
De La Hoya has been dreaming of this moment for 6’4″ Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) ever since he signed with his steady Golden Boy Promotion, and now his moment is in this.
Ramirez has to make the most of his chances as he may not get another chance at 175. It’s taken him three years to get to this point and there’s no guarantee he’ll climb back up. title position if he loses to Bivol on Saturday night.
Ramirez is in a difficult position, because of his lack of speed and massive play. He hasn’t had any experience fighting anyone even close to Bivol’s abilities before, and that’s a huge step up in the class.
Ramirez’s best opponent so far is Jesse Hart, whom he barely beat twice. Hart will be eliminated from the tournament with a fighter like Bivol.
“I’ve always felt Bivol was a great fighter and a great champion. All my respect for him,” Oscar De La Hoya told Boxing ID about Saturday’s fight between Dmitry Bivol and Gilberto Ramirez.
If Ramirez loses this match, he needs to move up to cruiser because he’s not 175. When you’re rehydrating in the 200s, like Ramirez, it’s a sign that you should fight in class. weekday.
“I think this fight will be a great fight. My guy Zurdo Ramirez, he’s in the best shape of his life. He’s ready to go, he’s going to do the best job he can, and we’ll see what happens.
“I as a fan, I am a boxer, I really believe that Zurdo Ramirez has a huge chance to beat Bivol. He must concentrate; That’s the bottom line,” De La Hoya said when asked what Ramirez must do to beat Bivol.
“I told them just seconds ago, ‘You’re ready, you’re focused, you’re training hard, this is your moment. The seconds count as the seconds right before you enter the ring.
“Those are precious moments. So stay focused and determined; you did all the hard work. The fighter becomes tense; they get small butterflies in their bellies. Control them. When the bell rings, do your job and take care of the business.
“I called it a war from the very beginning. The maximum Canelo Alvarez is the small super-middle class,” De La Hoya said of Bivol’s win over Canelo last May. “Bivol is a big guy. He is a light heavyweight adult, and so is 175.
“If people are looking at Canelo’s fight and judging it and thinking that Zurdo Ramirez will be a similar or even easier test than Canelo, they have another thing coming. I think Zurdo Ramirez is a bigger fighter, a stronger fighter; he’s a god, and he’s hungrier.
“You have to consider that Canelo is already at the top. Canelo’s thinking is that he’s already the winner. His thoughts were enjoying the fruits of his labor. He was a superstar.
“Guess what? Ramirez is on the rise. Ramirez is hungry. Ramirez is a boxer who wants a taste of glory. That would be the difference right there.
“Look, Canelo always said he didn’t want to fight the Mexicans. But even if Bivol wins, I still think Canelo will never beat Bivol. That’s not his style. Style creates combat.
“All I hope is a great battle on Saturday night. The matches that we are doing with Matchroom Boxing, DAZN and Golden Boy are matches that the fans deserve,” said De La Hoya.
