Dmitry Bivol nails Gilberto Ramirez with a proper cross throughout their WBA gentle heavyweight title bout in Abu Dhabi on November 5, 2022. Photograph by Ryan LIM / AFP) (Photograph by RYAN LIM/AFP through Getty Photographs
Dmitry Bivol outclassed a sport and harmful Gilberto Ramirez over 12 brisk rounds on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, handing the primary professional loss to the bodily imposing Mexican southpaw and defending his WBA gentle heavyweight title for the ninth time.
Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs), who scored a monumental upset over Canelo Alvarez in Could, received by scores of 118-110 and 117-111 (twice). The 31-year-old Russian nationwide who trains in Indio, California, outworked, outmaneuvered and outclassed Ramirez, who was unbeaten in 44 professional bouts coming into the Matchroom Boxing principal occasion that was streamed stay on DAZN.
Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs), a former tremendous middleweight titleholder who stepped as much as the 175-pound division in 2019, was aggressive in spots all through the combat however was pressured onto his again foot early on by sudden stress and aggression from Bivol. It was the 6-foot-4 Ramirez, who had received his earlier 5 gentle heavyweight bouts by stoppage (the final three underneath the Golden Boy Promotions banner), that was anticipated to be the aggressor within the anticipated showdown between The Ring’s No. 1-rated gentle heavy (Bivol) and No. 3 contender (Ramirez).
Nevertheless, Bivol remained in entrance of Ramirez for many of the combat, confidently jabbing and dropping one-two combos on the southpaw, gorgeous Ramirez as early as Spherical 4. Because the combat wore on, Bivol took firmer command of the tempo and motion, including brief left hooks and one-two-one combos to his arsenal.
Even when Ramirez tried to mount a sustained assault and push Bivol again to the ropes through the center rounds, the 31-year-old Mazatlan native discovered that his opponent may punch HARD on the fly and may be very assured and competent punching and defending off the ropes. Bivol stored Ramirez considering all through the combat and he stored him sincere by touchdown punches that visibly damage him.
It appeared that Bivol was gunning for a late stoppage, though he wouldn’t drive it. Bivol may stun and rock Ramirez off steadiness, however he couldn’t drop the Mexican or break his preventing spirit. Ramirez was too huge to topple however not too expert to be outclassed.
On the finish of the day, Ramirez is a prime gentle heavyweight; Bivol is a top-10 pound-for-pound-rated boxer (presently No. 7). If you happen to weren’t certain after the Alvarez combat, now.
“The lion isn’t the largest animal within the jungle, however he’s king,” Bivol mentioned after the bout, earlier than making his anticipated declaration of desirous to combat WBC/IBF/WBO unified titleholder Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed championship.
