WBA Light Heavyweight Challenge
I had expectations regarding tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates between WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11 Kos) and Mandatory Challenger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 kos) but instead witnessed a very convincing and dominating performance by Bivol.
To be clear, I wasn’t disappointed with Bivol’s performance, it was “Zurdo’s” lack of a proper “game plan” and gun-shy approach that took me by surprise. “Zurdo” is usually the seek and destroy type combatant that puts just the right amount of pressure on his opponents demoralizing them into submission but tonight that effort from “Zurdo” was missing in action. Real Talk!
Tonight “Zurdo” had met his match in the form of Bivol the fundamentally sound assassin who broke him down round by round. Bivol showed levels to his boxing skills inside that squared circle. There was absoletely nothing that Gilberto could do to deter Bivol from having his way inside that squared circle. Bivol, the visibly smaller fighter bullied and walked down the much bigger combatant with utterly no fear.
Bivol was focussed from round 1 to 12 and never wavered at any time. His range and steady combination punches kept Gilberto honest and unable to settle down with his own offensive approach.
Gilberto failed to use his height or his range properly. His regular punch output and his usual body attack was nonexistent. I expected Gilberto to bring the “Heat” tonight but instead Gilberto’s gun-shy lack of approach cost him the biggest fight of his career to date.
That said, there wasn’t much Gilberto could do, Bivol had him on lock right from the Jump. Bivol proved once again why he is one of the most complete fighters in the game today.
This bout was out of reach from time and after 12 fully completed rounds, the Judges at hand made it an easy outcome of 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111 in favor of Dmitry Bivol.
Gilberto Ramirez is a very worthy opponent for anybody in the Light Heavyweight Division but tonight Bivol made him look like a pedestrian who did not belong with him inside that squared circle.
Congratulations Dmitry on successfully defending your WBA Light Heavyweight World Championship for the 10th time.
Blaze