After an 11-month absence, Mexican fighter Gilberto Ramirez returned with a unanimous decision victory over Joe Smith on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
In a fight contesting the WBA world cruiserweight eliminator, Zurdo Ramirez put on the gloves to prove that moving up in weight can be a good option for him and his desire to challenge for a world title again.
"The key to this new version was a lot of hard work. Zurdo is back, but this time with more power and more balls," he said after conquering all three judges' scorecards (99-91, 99-91 and 99-91).
From the start of the fight, Smith met Ramirez, with good lateral movement that got him out of tight spots and in the process left him in position to handle the distance. He left the punches of a frustrated former world champion in the air.
Zurdo had the best moments of the fight with nasty combinations that landed easily in Smith's face.
Knowing that there is still more work to be done, Ramirez recognized in the New Yorker a very tough opponent that he has been guarding himself against, as he knows the power of his fists.
"Now I just want to rest, go home, eat carne asada and ceviche, and then go back to the gym to work," he said.