By Miguel Rivera
MAZATLAN, Sinaloa.- The holiday celebrations do not stop the training of the Mazatlan boxer Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez (34-0, 24KOs), because despite not having a confirmed return date, he's working hard with a clear objective on his mind: to successfully carry out the first defense of the super middleweight world title of the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Having been named a "Fighter of the Year" at the Univisión Deportes Awards, held last week in Miami, Florida, there is a renewed the motivation for the 25-year-old who has not fought for eight months. Ramirez became the first Mexican to capture a world title at168 pounds (super middleweight).
"It is difficult to be out of the ring for so long. We would have liked to fight in July as planned, but things are going to happen and today we are training hard for a comeback that could happen in early 2017," explained Ramirez at the end of his morning run.
An injury to one of the knuckles of his right hand prevented him from fighting on July 23 of this year and kept him out of boxing activity for several weeks. However, Ramirez looks completely recovered and motivated by putting on 10 ounce gloves and banging away with them.
"My hand is already recovered. I am hitting hard in the gym and that gives me the confidence that when I go up to the ring to defend my title - I will get better than in my previous fights," explained the fighter, who recalled that he suffered ailments in his hand for the last three years.
While not yet working on a specific date, the plans are for Ramírez's return to take place between February and March against a world ranked contender.
His manager Jesus Zápari still awaits confirmation from promoter Top Rank, but they already anticipate that in the year ahead they will begin to clean up the 168-pound division by securing unifications with the other champions.
