By Steve Kim
WBO super middleweight titlist, Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez (37-0, 25 KOs) - who recently defeated the overmatched Habib Ahmed in six rounds this past weekend in Corpus Christi, Texas, has made it clear his desire to eventually face the winner of the ongoing World Boxing Super Series tournament winner at 168.
The semi-finals of the tournament are about to take place, and the final fight is expected around May.
When asked if this was feasible, Ramirez's promoter, Bob Arum told BoxingScene.com - "Definitely yeah, the point is if you have a guy and he has some following and you have some television platform, you'll always get fighters from different platforms looking to fight him."
Ramirez-Ahmed was broadcast on ESPN as part of Top Rank's exclusive deal with the network.
"It's all about the money," continued Arum. "And of course I believe that 'Zurdo' will beat any super middleweight in the world and we'll take the best that's available."
On February 17th, George Groves (who has the WBA world title) faces IBO world champion Chris Eubank Jr. in one of the WBSS semi-final bouts. The following week, Callum Smith - who is the mandatory challenger to the WBC title - faces Juergen Braehmer, who dropped down from light heavyweight, where he was a world champion, to compete for the tournament prizes. The winners of these bouts are scheduled to meet for the big pot of money and the Muhammad Ali trophy.
As to which fighter will win at the end, even Arum has no idea as there matchups are close and there is heavy debate on the outcomes.
Arum noted - "I don't know who wins that super series but let's assume it's an attractive, lucrative fight, of course we would take it. But it's a long way to go. They haven't even started the semi-finals, yet."
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.