Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KO) and Joe Smith Jr. (28-4, 22 KO) held their final press conference ahead of their upcoming cruiserweight matchup this Saturday, October 8, 2023, which was recently elevated to the final WBA Cruiserweight Eliminator.
Ramirez last fought against Dmitry Bivol in November 2022, with the champion emerging victorious, while Smith Jr. last challenged Artur Beterbiev in June 2022, losing his WBO strap.
Both men are former champions, with Ramirez previously holding the WBO Super Middleweight belt from 2016 to 2018, while Smith Jr. earned the WBO Light Heavyweight belt in 2021. The victor of the bout will be in line to challenge Arsen Goulamirian (27 – 0, 18 KO) for the cruiserweight championship.
Zurdo Ramirez and Joe Smith Jr. face off ahead of their cruiserweight clash this saturday!
WATCH IT LIVE:#ZurdoSmith press conference ➡️ https://t.co/6ldbZsgcED pic.twitter.com/eiBpA9CGTy
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) October 5, 2023
KEY QUOTES
An excited Joe Smith Jr. is ready to come back with a vengeance 👊#ZurdoSmith pic.twitter.com/hw3Axnjpp2
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 5, 2023
“This weekend, I’m looking to make another statement, and come out with my hands raised.”
A happy Zurdo Ramirez promises an exciting fight in 2️⃣ days 😤#ZurdoSmith pic.twitter.com/BlhWnw3jcj
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 5, 2023
“It will be an exciting fight for everyone!”