Gabriel Rosado believes his fight with Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez will be ‘legendary’.
The pair fight on March 18 live on DAZN, pitting Puerto Rico’s Rosado against his Mexican former sparring partner Ramirez.
The fight is the 37-year-old’s debut at 175lbs and after three consecutive defeats he believes he has a renewed vigour to make the most of his work with trainer Freddie Roach.
He told The DAZN Boxing Show: “Freddie’s excited because I’m giving him that same drive, that same hunger that I did. I told Freddie, man, whatever you want me to do, I’m going to rock out, because it’s one of those fights that means something.
“I’m not going to sleep on him, he’s a dangerous dude. I’ve got to be on my A game.
“I want to show people you’ve got to brush it off, and keep going. It’s hard.”
Given the pair know each other well, Rosado is well aware of his opponent’s ability.
“Me and Zurdo have known each other for years, we sparred with each other,” he added.
“He was my main man when I fought Bektemir Melikuziev. Beck was so powerful and strong, I was able to take those shots just because I was sparring a big guy in Zurdo. I know him well, he knows me well.
“The thing is with a guy like him, he’s scrappy, he’s smart. A lot of the time it’s chess, but it’s like high-level chess. It’s just been a great session, it’s just one of those things, I was in Puerto Rico and it just came to mind.
“I put it out there. I think fighters who know each other make the best fights.
“I walk around at 86[kg], close to 90, honestly at my age, I’m happy I don’t have to cut. I know Zurdo is naturally the bigger man, that’s love. I eat clean and it gives me a lot more energy.”
Rosado believes that as well as their history between the two, and their friendship, what adds an extra frisson is the relationship between Mexico and Puerto.
He explained: “To me, this is a big fight, as far as the rich rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico, and it’s not even off some beef. I love Mexican fans. It’s just a fight that’s a meaningful fight. I think this is going to be a fight that is going to surprise people and be one of those legendary fights.”