Bivol and Ramirez clash in a top drawer clash while Cameron-McCaskill has created a classic on a very good card, writes Declan Taylor
IT IS two-versus-three in the light-heavyweight division atop an impressive card that marks Eddie Hearn and Matchroom’s first official foray into Abu Dhabi this weekend.
The Essex resident brought his stables from the US to Saudi Arabia, through his back garden, and is currently promoting in Mexico, Spain and Italy and several other territories. And, as of this weekend, you can add Abu Dhabi to the list as this curious show gets underway.
Canelo conqueror Dmitry Bivol is second only to the fearsome Artur Beterbiev in the world rankings after setting a 20-0 (11). With more than twice as many wins, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez is similarly unbeaten, 44-0 (30), one place behind him.
The 31-year-old from Mazatlan, has had an odd career. One might assume a Mexican man with such a track record would be a pay-per-view superstar but he never really broke through, despite a lengthy spell as one the best super middleweights on the planet.
His first bout at 175lbs was back in April 2019, when he blocked Tommy Karpency in round four, but he has boxed just four times in the three and a half years since. Bivol, too, has had periods of inactivity in his career but he made a splash with Matchroom and mocked the bookies’ odds on his last game, when he He defeated Saul Alvarez by unanimous decision in May.
Given that form, it’s tough to take on Bivol in this matchup, though, unlike the other Mexican game in Vegas earlier this year, he won’t enjoy the same size advantage as so. In fact, despite having stepped up from super-middleweight, Ramirez looks like a much bigger man out of the two. Nampaw can also punch and has never had to go as far as a light-heavyweight.
All that considered, however, Bivol is the choice here although he may have to go through some really tough periods to win the card decision at Etihad Arena and retain the WBA belt. mine.
Beyond the main event, Hearn packed cards full of British interest. In the main support, late call-up Zelfa Barrett joined the fight with Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov after Joe Cordina was forced to withdraw from the clash with the Tajikistani man due to a hand injury.
Manchester’s Barrett 28-1 therefore had little notice for this game but did not think twice about taking a chance against “Shere Khan” 16-0-1 (13), who is currently ranked at 4th place in the featherweight super ranking and holds the IBF strap.
“I’m ready,” he said. “I am more than ready. This is my time. All my life, this is what I’ve dreamed of since I was a little boy. Life is about time and you can’t predict life. You just have to take these opportunities with both hands.”
Barrett, 29, tragically lost his mother, Sonia, in June 2021 and says he will be driven to victory by her memory. “She would be so proud of me,” he added. “Just the way I handled the situation where she was going to die. I’m still working hard. I told my uncle [trainer Patt Barrett] I just want to do it for them like. But he said ‘no, do it for you, we are proud of you, and your mother will be proud of you’.
“I have had to deal with the death of my brother, my mother, my cousin and deal with so many things in my life, all for this moment. It’s a life-changing opportunity, but I’m not going to let this change who I am.”
He is undeniably against it here and unsurprisingly he is the lower bet around 12/5 with most bookies. Rakhimov looks formidable for his weight and the only minor flaw on his record was a 12-round majority draw against overweight Jo Jo Diaz in February 2021.
However, he has boxed just once in the 20 months since retiring two rounds against Sardor Muzaffarov 4-4. Perhaps this is the right time for Barrett to face the 28-year-old male player, who has prepared for Cordina. If he can stay on his feet, Barrett has the skills needed to score this point, but it’s a big if, especially for what could have been short.
Winning over Rakhimov should be an option but expect Barrett to do his best to pursue victory.
It’s also been a big – and dangerous – night for Chantelle Cameron, who faces Chicago boxer Jessica McCaskill over 10 seconds for all four belts in the ultralightweight division. Cameron, from Northampton didn’t misplace a foot in the run to 16-0 (8) but against McCaskill, the former welterweight champion, she faced one of the best boxers of all. boxing boxer. This is made from a great shard and is possibly the best on the whole card.
Since losing to Katie Taylor at York Hall in 2017, McCaskill has racked up seven straight wins, including a straight win over Norwegian icon Cecilia Braekhus. Her last two games have come to a halt against Kandi Wyatt and Alma Ibarra, so she will head to Abu Dhabi with confidence.
So does Cameron and this looks like a fight that can rival the classics we’ve seen served by Taylor and Amanda Serrano or Savannah Marshall and Claressa Shields in 2022. In fact, both women. Everyone knows that winning here will put them in the queue for Taylor’s rift in a cash-out outdoor event at Croke Park next year. This is another hard thing to call but Cameron has been waiting for her chance to really explode and this could be the night where she shines. Cameron on the point, if she can resist the urge to get caught up in a fight.
Completing the five-match card were the Yafai brothers, Kal and Galal – the pair’s first time boxing on the same banknote. The former player hasn’t boxed since he was beaten by Roman Gonzalez in February 2020 and back on 10 against Jerald Paclar. Meanwhile, his younger brother Galal, goes up against Mexico’s Gohan Garcia, all over 10 thirds. Both will win in the distance.
THE VERDICT: Great bill with some great matchmaking.
