Two major title fights grace Golden Boy’s ‘Latino Night’ during the Riyadh season.
As previously reported by The Ring , Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (46-1, 30 knockouts) and Chris Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KOs) collide in a WBA/WBO cruiserweight unification bout. Four more fights have been revealed for the November 16 show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Also on the card is a previously budgeted main event that now becomes a strong supporting cast. Former WBC/WBO 140-pound titlist Jose Ramirez (29-1, 18 KOs) faces undefeated contender Arnold Barboza (30-0, 11 KOs).
Undefeated lightweight contender William Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) takes on another southpaw in Tevin Farmer (33-6-1, 8 KOs). The fight is undoubtedly to prepare for a title shot against Shakur Stevenson early next year.
The night’s other title fight pits undefeated WBO strawweight belt holder Oscar Collazo (10-0, 7 KOs) against Edwin Cano (13-2-1, 4 KOs).
WBA no. 1,140-pound contender Kenneth Sims Jr. (21-2-1, 8 KOs) lands in fifth place on the show against Mexico’s Oscar Duarte (27-2-1, 22 KOs).
“We look forward to staging our first event as part of our partnership with Golden Boy Promotions with Latino Nigh,” said Turki Alalshikh, head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. “This card features some of the best Latino fighters and continues our quest to deliver top-level boxing events by giving fans around the world the fights they want to see.”
Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy Chairman and CEO, added: “His Excellency and I have the exact same vision – to match the best against the best for the fans of our sport.
“This show will feature everything fantastic that boxing has to offer.”
Ramirez will attempt the first defense of the title he claimed earlier this year. The former WBO super middleweight titleholder dethroned undefeated Arsen Goulamirian on March 30 in Inglewood, California. It was good enough to see Ramirez eventually land at No. 3 in The Ring cruiserweight rankings.
“I’m excited to make this fight happen with Chris Billam-Smith,” said Ramirez. It’s been a while, and I’m looking forward to becoming the unified champion in this division. I’ve always said this is my division, and I’m happy for the opportunity to showcase my skills at this level on a global stage in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“Also, I hope to be the bridge between Mexico and Saudi Arabia, making both sides proud. I would like to give a special thanks to my team, 3 Point Management, Golden Boy Promotions, Riyadh Season, the WBA, WBO, and everyone else involved in making this happen.”
Billam-Smith is ranked as no. 1 at cruiserweight. He earned it right after his upset win over Lawrence Okolie last May 27 and two subsequent title defenses. His run also includes a win over Richard Riakporhe in June to avenge his lone career loss.
Posting the fight opens the door for both fighters. RING/IBF Champion Jai Opetaia is also an active member of the Riyadh Season Boxing Series. The undefeated native of Sydney, Australia, will make his third appearance on this course on October 12.
“Riyadh Season continues to deliver the best matches at the top of the sport,” said BOXXER founder Ben Shalom, Billam-Smith’s promoter. “We are delighted to partner with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions to present another epic fight as co-promoters of this major cruiserweight world title unification fight.
“Gilberto Ramirez is a great champion, but Chris Billam-Smith will come in full of confidence and ready to unify the division.”
