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Ramirez Beats Billam-Smith, Becomes Unified Cruiserweight Champion

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Nov 16, 2024 11:00 PM ET

Zurdo Ramirez outworked Chris Billam-Smith to become a Unified Cruiserweight Champion.

The WBA Champion picked up Billam-Smith’s WBO Belt, beating him via a unanimous decision: 116-112, 116-112 and 116-113. It was a historic night of boxing since it was Riyadh Season’s first ever Latino night. And it was Ramirez who rose to the occasion and showed why he has only lost once in his 48 fights with a 47-1 record. Billam-Smith began the fight well, finding his right hand in the opening round. The southpaw, Ramirez, reminded Billam-Smith of letting his hands go too much, as he caught the Brit with a left hand.

Ramirez Vs. Billam-Smith

Ramirez picked up the pace in the second round. He landed right and left hooks, pushing Billam-Smith on the back foot. Ramirez landed another left hand in the third, as Billam-Smith was now cut above the eye by round four. Billam-Smith hit back with some uppercuts after success on the inside in the fifth, but in doing so, he took further shots by staying in the pocket for too long. Billam-Smith had his eye checked before the start of the seventh, as he was allowed to continue.

Ramirez became more confident as he buckled Billam-Smith with a hook in the eighth. Billam-Smith was well behind on the scorecards. The Brit stayed in the fight, but he needed a stoppage heading into the championship rounds. And yet, it was Ramirez who was the better fighter. A clash of heads in the 11th drew more blood above Billam-Smith’s left eye. While Billam-Smith left everything in the ring, Ramirez was the better fighter.

Post-Fight

“I feel great, I’m a true champion and everyone saw. I prepared for those guys, me and my team knew he was a tough fighter, it was an honor for me to fight him and get the belt. I want to unify with all the champions. That is the main goal for me,” Ramirez stated

“I guess there’s a bit of irony. My initials are obviously CBS, I say ‘consistency builds success’ and I think he had the consistency tonight. They deserved to come out with the win. I have a huge amount of respect for him. Next I will enjoy a rest, enjoy Christmas. We’ll have to go back and keep improving. It was a few rounds there where I couldn’t see out of that eye. “All respect to him. I’ve a huge amount of respect for him, always have done. No excuses. We will have to go back and assess and keep on improving,” Billam-Smith said