Saturday’s title defense vs. Yuniel Dorticos could be prelude to mega-fight for Gilberto Ramirez against Jake Paul or Unification showdown with Jay Opetaia or Badou Jack
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 25 Jun 2025
LOS ANGELES (June 24, 2025) –- Mexican cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) must take care of business this Saturday night in his World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Association (WBA) title defenses versus the WBA’s No. 1, mandatory challenger Yuniel “The KO Doctor” Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs). At stake is a possible mega fight against internet sensation Jake “The Problem Child” Paul (11-1, 7 KOs), who headlines a loaded DAZN Pay-Per-View event, presented by MVP Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.
Ramirez vs. Dorticos is a 12-round co-featured event. Paul faces Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs), the son of 6-time, 3-division world champion, Hall of Famer Julio Ceasar Chavez (107-6-2, 85 KOs), in the 10-round main event at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
“This is a great opportunity, and I look forward to putting on a great performance for my fans,” Ramirez said. “I think there is a chance of a possible world title fight in the future against Paul. He mentioned that he was ‘ready’ to challenge me during a recent press conference. I do believe he’s a man of his words and that he meant it.”
Fighting on the same card as Chavez, Jr., of course, is special for “Zurdo” for several reasons.
“His father is one of my favorite fighters of all-time and he did inspire me as a youth to pursue boxing,” Ramirez explained. “I think my fans and Chavez’ will support both of us. We are both from Sinaloa, Mexico, and have a lot of pride in our culture and country.”
Dorticos is certainly dangerous, evident by his 93% KO percentage, 25 of his 27 victories ending before the distance. But with a victory and no injuries, “Zurdo” stands to have two potential options if a match against Paul isn’t next. Next, he could add another world cruiserweight title to his already overloaded display case against reigning champions (IBF) Jay Opetaia (28-0, 22 KOs) or (WBC) Badou Jack (29-3-3, 18 KOs). And Ramirez is also closing in on the mercurial 50 career wins list.
“The goal is still the same,” Ramirez insisted, “becoming undisputed Cruiserweight Champion of the world. But we can still make the Paul fight next. We’ll see if he’s about the action or if it was just talk. I’m getting close to 50 wins, but my focus has always been on becoming a legend in the sport and collecting belts.”
INFORMATION:
Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com
Facebook: /ZurdoPromotions /GilbertoZurdoRamirez
Instagram: @zurdoramirez @zurdopromotions
Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions @GilbertoZurdoRamirez
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