By Vadim Pushkin
Negotiations have intensified for the mandatory fight between WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham (44-4, 29 KOs) of Germany and mandatory challenger Gilberto Ramirez (33-0, 24 KOs) of Mexico.
The World Boxing Organization has ordered both sides to reach a deal or head to a purse bid on January 8th at noon in Puerto Rico.
Abraham has a very successful year in 2015. He cleared the air on any controversy in his 2014 victory over Paul Smith, by dominating the British contender in their February rematch. Abraham was back in July and closed the door on his rivalry with Robert Stieglitz with a sixth round knockout in their fourth meeting. The year ended for Abraham with a twelve round split decision over tough contender Martin Murray.
There was some talk of Abraham fighting Bernard Hopkins in the early months of this year, but that would involve paying a significant sum to Ramirez to step-aside.
Ramirez also fought three times in 2015 and went the distance in all three contests. It was a change from his 2014 run, when he knocked out all of his opponents that year. Last January he won a ten round unanimous decision over Maxim Vlasov, a decision over Derek Edwards in June and then another distance win over Gevorg Khatchikian in November.
Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, who promotes Ramirez, would like the fight to take place on April 9th as part of the Manny Pacquiao-Tim Bradley HBO Pay-Per-View undercard. Abrahan has not fought in the United States since a decision loss to Andre Ward in 2011. It will require a lot of money to get Abraham out of Germany, where the boxer is paid very well and generates high television ratings.
