Gilberto Ramirez aims for a place in history in his title bout with Arsen Goulamirian

On Saturday, Gilberto Ramirez will look to make historical past when he challenges Arsen Goulamirian for the WBA cruiserweight title at The YouTube Theater, Inglewood, California.

Ramirez, who grew to become the primary Mexican to win a brilliant middleweight title, is supremely motivated to finish the distinctive double-up at cruiserweight.

“It means every part,” Ramirez (45-1, 30 knockouts) advised The Ring. “I battle for legacy. I really feel a deep sense of willpower, realizing that I’ve put within the work and that I’ve the talents to compete at this degree. There’s a fireplace inside me, a burning need to show myself in opposition to the very best on the planet and to point out everybody what I’m able to.”

The 32-year-old Mexican southpaw is aware of on the similar time he’ll need to work onerous to assert the title.

“I do know Arsen is a champion for a motive,” mentioned Ramirez. “He’s a formidable opponent, with a confirmed monitor file of success. He’s a confirmed fighter and the hardest cruiserweight champion on the market. His energy and energy is one thing that can at all times be a hazard to any fighter.

“Regardless of the problem, I do know that I’ve to remain targeted and mentally sturdy. I’ve belief in my coaching and my talents, and consider I’ve what it takes to win. I must embrace the problem, realizing that that is my likelihood to shine and to cement my legacy as a champion.”

Ramirez struggled to make weight at mild heavyweight and misplaced a lopsided resolution to WBA ruler Dmitry Bivol in November 2022. He had been tabbed to return in opposition to Gabe Rosado in March 2023 however badly missed weight, coming in at 182.6, which is 7.6-pounds above the sunshine heavyweight restrict.

That prompted a transfer as much as cruiserweight, the place he dominated Joe Smith Jr., profitable a lopsided 10-round unanimous resolution final October.

“I really feel nice at this new weight class,” he mentioned. “It’s my pure weight and there’s not an excessive amount of chopping. I stroll round at 210-215 all-year spherical so making 200 is a breeze in comparison with 175 or 168.

Dmitry Bivol takes it to Gilberto Zurdo Ramirez in protection of his WBA mild heavyweight title on November 5, 2022 – Picture by Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

“After transferring up within the weight class, I’ve been engaged on my energy and boxing. I really feel the work that I put will permit me to be sturdy in pocket and commerce any photographs with him. My total energy and ability set would be the distinction.”

Though Goulamirian has been chronically inactive over the previous few years, Ramirez isn’t taking a look at that an excessive amount of and prefers to targeted on what he does so as to be victorious.

“It’s what it’s. Stuff like this isn’t new this recreation or to a fighter. He’s not the primary nor will he be the final,” he mentioned. “To be sincere, I don’t actually care if he’s been energetic or not. His issues don’t have anything to do with me.”

“Zurdo” is able to take an necessary step in his profession.

“The one factor I do know is that he has what I need (WBA cruiserweight title) and I’m going to take it,” he mentioned. “I’m right here to remain and conquer the division earlier than transferring as much as the heavyweight division.

“I do know there isn’t too many fighters my dimension from my nation so I’ve to signify nicely. Viva Mexico!”

That is an intriguing match up. The unbeaten however very inactive titleholder and the Mexican trying to reestablish himself. The large factor for me is that Goulamirian hasn’t fought in 16 months. I feel which will play a component and consider Ramirez will outbox Goulamirian early after which maintain off him off later to win a 12-round unanimous resolution.

Goulamirian (27-0, 19 KOs), rated at No. 7 by The Ring at cruiserweight, received the French nationwide title after which stopped Ryad Merhy (TKO 11) for the WBA “interim” title.

The France-based Armenian made his bones in Europe early on in his profession. He received the French nationwide title after which stopped Ryad Merhy (TKO 11) for the WBA “interim” title. The 36-year-old was subsequently upgraded to full champion however his profession has been suffering from inactivity with only one battle since 2019. That got here when he beat Aleksei Egorov (UD 12) November 2022.

Goulamirian-Ramirez, plus undercard bouts, shall be broadcast on DAZN at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT

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