Former world super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) is applying further pressure to get a crack at World Boxing Association (WBA) light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.
Ramirez has won not only one but two title eliminators, both by way of knockout performances, the latest being his recent 4th-round stoppage of an outclassed Dominic Boesel (32-3) to officially become the WBA mandatory challenger.
Bivol is fresh off his impressive decision shocker over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, which took place earlier this month. In recent interviews, Bivol has said that he’d prefer to fight Canelo in a rematch or wait for the winner of next month’s three belt unification fight between Artur Beterbiev and Joe Smith.
Canelo indicated on Monday, that he will likely drop back to 168-pounds face Gennadiy Golovkin in a trilogy fight in September.
The WBA has not ordered Bivol to make a defense against Ramirez, who hopes to get the title shot sooner than later.
“This is my division,” Ramirez proclaimed. “There’s a reason some of these guys have avoided me. They know I’m coming for all the belts and that it’s just a matter of time. Bivol was sent a contract last year, but he avoided fighting me to fight somebody else (Umar Salomov). I’ve been asking for Beterbiev and Smith Jr., but they both know they can’t compete on my level. As I said, it’s only a matter of time until this is proven.
“I’m not sure if he (Bivol) means what he says. He’s had a few opportunities to sign a contract (to fight me) but he didn’t. If the Canelo rematch doesn’t happen, I’ll be in line to take the world championship away from him. We’ll see what my promoter (Golden Boy) comes up with. I’m just surprised by all the talk and lack of action from Bivol. It’s sad to see but, maybe he mans-up this time.”
