Zurdo Aiming for Light Heavyweight Title

After nearly three years as the WBO super middleweight champion, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez is looking for a new challenge and potentially stepping up in weight.

During a recent phone interview with ESTO, Ramirez says the plan right now is to move to light heavyweight and attempt to become a two-division world champion. He first anticipates debut bout at the weight class before challenging the WBO’s light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev, who recently regained the title from Eleider Alvarez earlier this month.

Ramirez, upon his move, would become the mandatory challenger to Kovalev and says he has the skills and capabilities to succeed at 175.

“The goal of rising to a new division is because I want to look for new challenges in my career, a new title,” Ramirez said. “The second reason, I just do not want to stay with one division, I want more, that’s why I’m going to climb to light heavyweight. I know that I can become a champion there too. I have planned to do a preparation fight first, maybe at the end of March or April. I’ve been training since January, so it would be very good for either of the two dates, my body is responding well, I will settle well this new division.

After the preparation fight we have in mind, I would like to face Kovalev, he is a champion of respect, he showed it by recovering the title a few days ago, it would be an attractive fight.

Ramirez is also going through changes in his training team, as he recently parted ways Jesus and Hector Zapari. It’s anticipated he will announce his new team next week.

“I am very grateful for everything I achieved with the Zapari family, I will always have a great appreciation for them,” Ramirez said. “I am now forming a new team, I’m looking at some names to make the best decision.”

Original Story: Boxing Scene