Chris Billiam-Smith will “comprehensively” beat Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez of their world title unification struggle after which show himself because the No 1 cruiserweight, says former world champion Barry McGuigan.
WBO champion Billam-Smith avenged his solely earlier skilled defeat with a factors win over Richard Riakporhe in June to arrange an enormous showdown with WBA title holder Ramirez in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, with reside protection ranging from 5pm on Sky Sports activities Combine.
Ramirez has racked up 46 victories on his document, together with a factors win over Arsen Goulamirian in March, which earned the WBA title along with his solely defeat being a unanimous resolution loss to Bivol in 2022.
However McGuigan, whose son Shane trains Billam-Smith, believes the British world champion will ship a dominant win over Ramirez after which topple Australian Jai Opetaia, who’s recognised because the world’s most interesting cruiserweight.
“I genuinely believe that he will beat Zurdo Ramirez comprehensively and I genuinely believe he will beat Jai Opetaia,” McGuigan informed Sky Sports activities.
“It is completely the proper time for Chris to take the struggle and he wants all of the challenges. He is already received the title unexpectedly. He by no means received a nationwide title as an novice.
“He’s won British, European and world titles. He’s a very, very good athlete and a great fighter and he is getting better all the time. You know, there aren’t many world champions that are improving, but he’s certainly one of them and he’s getting better all the time.”
Billam-Smith, 34, has earned 20 victories – 13 by knock-out – and can defend his title for a 3rd time since taking it from Lawrence Okolie in Might 2023.
“We didn’t call him ‘The Gentleman’ for nothing because he’s genuinely a lovely human being and he’s pushing the barriers all the time,” added McGuigan. “Ramirez is not an easy fighter. He’s come up from light heavyweight, he’ll bring that speed with him. He’s a southpaw. He throws volumes of punches, but Chris will be able to deal with that.
Chris Billiam-Smith throws an enormous proper hand at Richard Riakporhe
“There’s no question about it. Chris is an amazing fighter at close range. He’s really developed that just right up on top of you and he’s also getting better at long range and he’s getting better at boxing too. So he’s improving all the time. He’s 34 years old, but he’s a young 34.
“I’ve realized through the years that age would not make the identical impression the heavier you might be. So he is virtually a heavyweight. He is a heavyweight coming right down to cruiserweight.
“Age doesn’t matter. He’s still a young guy, young at heart, young physically. He’s so determined and so focused.”
Watch Chris Billam-Smith tackle Gilberto Ramirez in a unification of the WBO and WBA cruiserweight world championships on Saturday, reside on Sky Sports activities Combine from 5pm.
