Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez listened to the criticisms against him made by Jake Paul and his Most Valuable Promotions mate, Nakisa Bidarian, and he’s suspicious they’re connected to an agenda.
“I don’t think [Paul wants to fight]. I think he wants to try to make up [an excuse],” Mexico’s Ramirez told BoxingScene in his final comments following his Saturday night post-fight news conference. “If he wants to fight me, I’m willing to fight him.”
After Paul, 12-1 (7 KOs), defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr by unanimous decision Saturday night at Honda Center in Anaheim, California, he said Ramirez, 48-1 (30 KOs), looked “slow as shit” in retaining his WBA and WBO cruiserweight belts against Cuba’s Yuniel Dorticos by unanimous decision in the co-main event.
WBA President Gilberto Mendoza told BoxingScene Saturday night that he expects Paul’s victory to vault him into the WBA cruiserweight rankings, which would clear Ramirez to choose him for a title shot.
“People got to see more of the skillset, some of the things I’ve been working on – my toughness, my cardio – so going 10 rounds was great,” Paul said in his post-fight news conference. “It could lead to a good ranking because of the things I was able to display. From my memory, he only hit me eight good times.”
Speaking of a title shot, Paul said, “That’s the goal, the only thing I haven’t accomplished after knockout of the year [versus Tyron Woodley] and most-watched fight in history [versus Mike Tyson]. I neutralize my opponents with my footwork, movement and feints, and they can’t get past my jab.”
In that session, Bidarian repeated the previous criticism of Ramirez’s fan-engagement skills.
“The biggest issue is ‘Zurdo’ didn’t show himself to be the promoter in this process,” Bidarian said. “We said to [Ramirez promoter] Golden Boy multiple times, ‘Why aren’t we seeing more out of ‘Zurdo? Why isn’t he engaged with the fans?’
“That, to me, is a big part of making that big championship moment with Jake. [Paul] ultimately has to make that decision, but someone like [WBC cruiserweight champion] Badou Jack is also someone we want to have a conversation with. Both of these guys are not great promoters.”
While Jack must first stage a rematch with Noel Mikaaelian following their May 3 bout in Saudi Arabia, Ramirez’s schedule is open.
In his conversation with BoxingScene, Ramirez admitted his fourth consecutive unanimous-decision triumph – this one over a 39-year-old like Chavez Jnr in top-ranked contender Dorticos – didn’t leave him “100 per cent” happy.
“Every time, I try to push myself to become a more exciting fighter. I’m trying to be there,” Ramirez said.
But to feel obligated to talk trash and speak in hyperbole just to sell tickets is not something Ramirez takes comfort in when he feels the more effective way to generate interest in his fights is making the bouts his fans are clamoring for.
Ramirez has previously fought undisputed light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, and he told BoxingScene he anticipates showdowns versus unbeaten WBC light-heavyweight champion David Benavidez and unbeaten IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia.
“I mean … I’m the champion. I don’t need to put on a show or something. I have the belts, I want to keep my belts,” Ramirez said.
“I will fight anyone. Isn’t that what they want?”
Paul said he could turn to a rematch versus Tommy Fury, the younger brother of former heavyweight champion who dealt Paul his lone defeat, but Bidarian agreed the opportunity is there to pursue Ramirez, cautioning “the timing” must be right.
“Both guys fought a 39-year-old opponent,” Bidarian said. “You can’t say Chavez is over the hill. Chavez is more accomplished than [three-time title-fight loser Dorticos].”
