Feared, former world champion, and lightweight heavyweight sensation Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (42-0, 28 KOs) of Mazatlán, Mexico, will welcome the vacation season by taking over Cuba’s Yunieski “The Monster” Gonzalez (21-3, 17 KOs) for the WBA Gentle Heavyweight Title eliminator on Saturday, December 18 from the AT&T Middle in San Antonio, TX. The winner of the title eliminator will safe a compulsory problem to the WBA Gentle Heavyweight World Championship, a extremely desired place for fighters which can be typically averted within the extremely protected gentle heavyweight division. The 12-round major occasion might be streamed live exclusively on DAZN worldwide.
Within the co-main occasion, three-time world champion Seneisa “Tremendous Dangerous” Estrada (21-0, 8 KOs) will defend her new WBA Minimumweight World title in a 10-round combat towards the fierce, undefeated Maria “La Imparable” Santizo (9-0, 5 KOs) of Guatemala Metropolis, Gua. Subsequent, rising tremendous featherweight contender Lamont Roach, Jr. (21-1-1, 9 KOs) will face off towards former world champion Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (32-10, 21 KOs) in a 10-round combat for the vacant NABA Tremendous Featherweight championship. Opening up the printed, former U.S. Olympian and present WBC Flyweight World Champion Marlen Esparza (10-1, 1 KOs) will defend her world title, for the primary time, towards the seasoned former WBA world champion, Anabel “Avispa” Ortiz (31-4, 4 KOs) of Mexico Metropolis, Mexico.
“The sunshine heavyweight division is stacked with nice expertise, however none of them are taking dangers, none of them wish to step as much as an actual problem,” stated Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez has confirmed to be among the many elite of the division and is prepared for a world title combat. Dealing with Yunieski Gonzalez, a fighter who has by no means backed down from a problem, will permit each fighters to safe a shot on the WBA Gentle Heavyweight World Championship. I’m excited to return to San Antonio, Texas, for this occasion. Struggle followers have at all times welcomed us there and can get an evening stuffed with motion and world championship degree boxing.”
A extremely feared and averted fighter, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez is prepared to place his undefeated file on the road to show he’s the very best within the gentle heavyweight division, and the WBA Gentle Heavyweight title eliminator will permit him to get nearer to his aim. After a spectacular knockout victory over Cuba’s Sullivan Barrera in July 2021, ‘Zurdo’ is able to face an equally difficult fighter in Miami’s Yunieski Gonzalez. He’s decided to retain his undefeated standing, attain the extremely coveted 50-0 milestone, and proceed his knockout streak, which he has held since 2019. A former WBO Tremendous Middleweight World Champion, who defended his title efficiently 5 instances, ‘Zurdo’ is prepared for the world stage yet another time in 2021, closing off the yr with a bang.
“I’m comfortable and excited to be again within the ring earlier than the yr ends and showcase my expertise once more in Texas. After all, I used to be a bit of disillusioned that Bivol didn’t wish to signal the contract and make the combat occur, however that’s boxing. I do know my group and Golden Boy have been working strategically to make this occur, and I can’t disappoint all my followers on December 18,” stated Gilberto Ramirez.
“Yuneski is a tricky Cuban fighter, and I do know I’ll must be my greatest that evening. With this being the WBA World Title eliminator, I do know he’ll do the whole lot to alter his life with this combat. As soon as this combat is over, Bivol may have nowhere to run and should face me,” continued Ramirez.
“Final however not least, I sincerely admire Mr. Gilberto Mendoza and all the WBA group for permitting me to be on this place. I’ve an amazing quantity of respect for the WBA and can do the whole lot in my energy to extremely characterize the group and turn out to be the Champion.”
Preventing out of Miami, Florida, however initially from Pinar del Rio, Cuba, Yunieski “The Monster” Gonzalez has had a profitable profession within the gentle heavyweight division. He has stayed busy in 2020 and 2021, dealing with and defeating Guillermo Romero, Alex Theran, and Tommy Karpency by consecutive knockout victories. The heavy-handed fighter has been in search of an elusive world title combat and can get nearer to his aim if he can defeat Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez for the WBA Gentle Heavyweight World Title eliminator on December 18.
“At first, I wish to thank God, Golden Boy, my consultant Henry Rivaita, DAZN, the WBA, and my coach Peter Roque,” stated Yunieski Gonzalez. “I’m coming to offer my all December 18. It is going to be an fascinating combat since I’m the one Cuban boxer who’s not a ‘runner,’ so combat followers will get pleasure from each minute of all of the motion. I’ve labored onerous for the final yr and a half, and it has paid off. I combat for freedom for 1000’s of children who don’t have this chance. I’m coming to offer Texas an evening to recollect.”
“Our sturdy finish to the yr continues with Gilberto’ Zurdo’ Ramirez dealing with off towards Yunieski Gonzalez in a WBA Gentle Heavyweight Title eliminator,” stated Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN. “Zurdo has had a unbelievable begin to his light-heavyweight profession and is trying to take one step nearer to a world title shot by dealing with his hardest take a look at December 18, live worldwide on DAZN.”
“I’m thrilled with the yr that I’ve had, profitable two world titles at two completely different divisions and ending the yr with a title protection on December 18,” stated Seneisa Estrada. “I hoped to finish the yr with a unification combat, however we’ll keep ready and prepared for unification in 2022. I’m excited for December 18. I wish to finish the yr with a bang and provides my followers one other thrilling combat. Thanks to my promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, for the superb yr! 2022 might be even greater and higher!”
“That is going be a giant take a look at and large alternative for me,” stated Maria Santizo. “I’m able to show that I’m at a world championship degree and am absolutely assured in my capability to turn out to be ‘The New’ WBA Minimumweight World Champion on December 18.”
“That is what it’s all about; I’ve been wanting a combat like this since my world title combat,” stated Lamont Roach, Jr. “It’s time to indicate everybody why I belong on the world stage once more.”
“After the back-to-back to losses to Roger Gutierrez, that is a very powerful combat of my life to get again into the large fights,” stated Rene Alvarado. “Roach, Jr. is an efficient younger fighter, however he doesn’t have the expertise and has not fought anybody near my degree. I’ll present it on December 18. That is for Nicaragua.”
“My group and Golden Boy have determined that it is a good combat to get again within the ring after coming off Covid-19,” stated Marlen Esparza. “I respect Ortiz; she has numerous expertise and a few nice wins. I’m coaching very onerous for my title protection!”
“I wish to thank Golden Boy Promotions for this chance; I dream of being a world champion once more,” stated Anabel Ortiz. “We all know that Marlen Esparza is a robust opponent, and he or she has overwhelmed good names, however boxing is about kinds. I’m shifting up in weight for this division, and these sorts of challenges are what encourage me to maintain going.”
Zurdo vs. Gonzalez is a 12-round combat for the WBA Gentle Heavyweight World Title Eliminator offered by Golden Boy in affiliation with Zurdo Promotions. The occasion is sponsored by Hennessy “By no means Cease. By no means Settle” and “BetOnline – Your On-line Sportsbook Specialists.” The combat will happen on Saturday, December 18, on the AT&T Middle in San Antonio, TX and might be streamed live exclusively on DAZN worldwide.
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