By Harvey Hudson

GILBERTO ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez proved to be a leap too far for gutsy Chris Billam-Smith on Saturday night in Riyadh. Billam-Smith, a fighter who has continuously upset the odds and admittedly overachieved in the sport, met a fighter in Ramirez who proved to be a level above in their cruiserweight unification clash. 

The Mexican took control of large portions of the fight from as early as the second round, with his hand and foot speed allowing him to dominate rounds and have continuous spells of success. 

His accuracy also played a key role. Despite things not going his way, Billam-Smith again displayed his trademark courage, determination, and sheer will to win throughout the fight.

In the opening round, Billam-Smith started well and appeared to impose his physicality and advantages. Then, the fight took a turning point, spinning in Ramirez’s favour. From the second round, the Mexican’s hand and foot speed allowed him to take control of the fight, and his ring IQ appeared superior. 

Golden Boy Promotions/Cris Esqueda

At the end of the second, Ramirez started to have success with the straight left from the southpaw stance. This then gave a glimpse of what was to come as the straight left hand repeatedly proved problematic for Billam-Smith. 

Billam-Smith was cut in the fourth by a right, which again caused problems throughout as his eye continued to swell and worsen round by round. The doctor examined the damaged eye in round seven and allowed the fight to continue. 

Ramirez, a fighter who has competed at super-middleweight, continued to use his superior foot speed and combination punching and was well ahead after 10 rounds. However, Billam-Smith made some slight adjustments in the 11th and appeared to win the round through sheer heart and grit.

But it was simply too little too late and he knew that he had to produce something special to turn the fight back into his favour going into the final round. Billam-Smith and his corner knew that he needed a stoppage. 

Golden Boy Promotions/Cris Esqueda

The final round was a Ramirez round as he again landed the more meaningful and accurate shots. Billam-Smith was running off heart and grit. Despite Ramirez winning wide on points, the fight was gruelling, and Billam-Smith showed a granite chin and toughness throughout.

The scorecards read 116-112 twice and 116-113 as Ramirez was crowned the unified WBO and WBA cruiserweight champion. The winner of the fight was previously mooted to face IBF champion Jai Opetaia, and this will seemingly be next for Ramirez, particularly with Saudi backing.

Gilberto Ramirez post-fight reaction:

“I feel great. I’m unified champion. Thank you everyone!

“I prepared for these guys, me and my team knew he was a tough fighter and a strong guy. It was an honour for me to fight him and get the belt. I’m grateful to be here.

“He’s tough. He came forward all the time and he’s strong too. I have respect for him because he’s a great champion. Everyone thought I was a super-middleweight but now I’m unified cruiserweight champion. It’s time to enjoy the night.”

Billam-Smith post-fight reaction:

“I have a huge amount of respect for him and always have done. He’s very good. We’ll have to assess and keep improving.”

Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith undercard:

The undercard’s picks included Oscar Collazo dominating and stopping Thammanoon ‘Knockout CP Freshmart’ Niyomtrong at minimumweight and the war between Oscar Duarte and Batyr Akhmedov.

William Zepeda also beat Tevin Farmer via split decision at lightweight. Zepeda was dropped heavily in the fourth but went on to edge the fight through his relentless style and front foot pressure. 

Zepeda now looks towards the mooted clash with WBC champion Shakur Stevenson. However, after this performance, the champion will likely see newly found fragilities and flaws.