By Jake Donovan
Gilberto Ramirez is fully focused on his November 20 showdown with Netherlands’ Gevorg Khatchikian, but can’t help but be aware of all that surrounds his next fight.
The unbeaten super middleweight contender from Mexico headlines on the next edition of Metro PCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV, which airs live from The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. It helps kick off a major fight weekend in Las Vegas, highlighted one night later by the HBO Pay-Per-View headliner between World middleweight champion Miguel Cotto and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Directly in Ramirez’ sights, however, is a bout that takes place hours before Cotto-Alvarez. Reigning super middleweight champ Arthur Abraham defends his crown versus England’s Martin Murray in Hannover, Germany. The winner will have to next defend versus Ramirez, the mandatory challenger provided he survives his stay-busy test versus Khatachikian.
“I know what’s at stake (on November 21) and it motivates me to train harder in the gym,” Ramirez (32-0, 24KOs) said during a recent media conference call. “Getting to this point, fighting for a world title is something I’ve dreamed about my entire life.”
Khatchikian (23-1, 11KOs) is virtually unknown outside of his native Netherlands. His one fight on the road also serves as his lone career loss, suffering an 11th round knockout at the hands of James DeGale – who has since captured a super middleweight title – last March in Bristol, England.
With that, all eyes will not only be on Ramirez to not only win, but shine in what he considers his live audition for a crack at a super middleweight title. Assuming all goes well on Friday, Ramirez – a devoted boxing fan when not fighting or training – will give his undivided attention to a title fight where he has dibs on the winner.
“I’m a big boxing fan and watch as many fights as possible anyway,” notes Ramirez. “Even if I wasn’t fighting the winner, I would still watch the (Abraham-Murray) fight. But yes, after my fight and I’m able to relax on Saturday, I will definitely tune in.”
As for whom he expects to next face.
“I like Abraham in the fight,” predicts Ramirez. “He’s very experienced and very strong. Martin Murray is a great fighter, but I think Abraham is just too strong for him.”
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
