There are four world cruiserweight champions. Let’s take a look at each and comment on “who is the best?” At WBA is former WBO Super Middleweight Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, 46-1, with 30 stoppages from Mexico. He won the NABF Light Heavyweight title in 2020, stopping Alfonso Lopez 32-3 in 10 rounds.
After three wins, his 44 unbeaten record was halted by WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Demitrii Bivol, 20-0, in 2022. In March 2024, he moved up to capture the WBA Super World Cruiserweight title and beat Arsen Goulamirian, 27-0, in his last fight in March 2024.
Ramirez is scheduled to fight World Boxing Organization champion Chris Billiam-Smith, 27-0, on November 16 at Latino Night at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Billiam-Smith won his title in May 2023, winning a 19-0 majority decision over Britain’s Lawrence ‘The Sauce’ Okolie. Instead of a rematch, he went on to stop Poland’s Mateusz Masternak, 47-5, in December and UK’s Richard Riakporhe, 17-0, in June 2024.
WBC champion is the Armenian Norair Mikaeljan, 27-2, with 12 stoppages from Miami, Florida. He won the vacant title in November 2023, stopping Ilunga Junior Makabu 29-3. He hasn’t fought in a year since winning the title and has nothing scheduled.
IBF champion is southpaw Jai Opetaia, 26-0 with 20 stoppages from Gold Coast Queensland, Australia. He won the vacant title in May 2024, defeating Mairis Briedis 28-2. In his first defense in October, he stopped Jack Massey 22-2. Nothing scheduled.
The winner between Ramirez and Billiam-Smith this month will hold two of these titles. Mikaeljan has not defended his title since winning it a year ago. Opetaia, who many call the best cruiserweight champion, made his first defense last month after five months.
The winner between Ramirez and Billiam-Smith could meet Opetaia. Mikaeljan could be stripped after not defending his title in a year and soon be vacant. So who do you think is the best world cruiserweight champion?
