Former world super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (42-0, 28 KOs) is looking to get one step closer to fighting for a title fight in the light heavyweight division, as he will be in a WBA Light Heavyweight Title eliminator against Yunieski Gonzalez (21-3, 17 KOs) at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX on December 18th. The winner will secure a shot for the WBA light heavyweight title, currently held by Dmitry Bivol.

Ramirez, the 30 year old from Mazatlan Mexico is coming off a 4th round knockout victory over Sullivan Barrera in July. He has been in the light heavyweight division since 2019 after being the WBO super middleweight champion. Since moving up he has scored knockout victories and wishes to continue the streak against the hard-hitting Gonzalez.

“I’m happy and excited to be back in the ring before the year ends and showcase my talent again in Texas,” Ramirez said. “Yuneski is a tough Cuban fighter, and I know I will need to be my best that night.”

He was hoping to secure a bout with Bivol but it did not work out, and was upset that it didn’t take place. However, he knows that a win will get him that opportunity.

“Of course, I was a little disappointed that Bivol didn’t want to sign the contract and make the fight happen, but that’s boxing. I know my team and Golden Boy have been working strategically to make this happen, and I will not disappoint all my fans on December 18th.”

Gonzalez currently resides in Miami but originally hails from Cuba and has scored wins over Guillermo Romero, Alex Theran, and Tommy Karpency over the past 12 months. He has suffered defeat to the likes of Oleksandr Gvozdyk and Jean Pascal, but his three fight win streak has put him in the position to face Ramirez in a title eliminator.

“I am coming to give my all December 18th,” Gonzalez said. “It will be an interesting fight since I am the only Cuban boxer who’s not a ‘runner,’ so fight fans will enjoy every minute of all the action. I have worked hard for the last year and a half, and it has paid off. I fight for freedom for thousands of kids who don’t have this opportunity. I’m coming to give Texas a night to remember.”

This bout will headline a four fight card that includes Senesia Estrada (21-0, 8 KOs) defending her WBA minimumweight title against Maria Santizo (9-0, 5 KOs), Lamont Roach, Jr. (21-1-1, 9 KOs) faces former super featherweight champ Rene Alvarado (32-10, 21 KOs), and Marlen Esparza (10-1, 1 KOs) makes her first defense of the WBC flyweight title against former champion Anabel Ortiz (31-4, 4 KOs). It will be shown live on DAZN.

Cover photo by Mikey Williams