Gilberto Ramirez became Mexico’s first cruiserweight world champion, as he took the WBA (Super) title away from the previously unbeaten Arsen Goulamirian in a comfortable points win at YouTube Theatre in Inglewood, California.
Prior to last nights bout with Goulamirian, Ramirez (46-1, 30 KOs) had largely flattered to deceive after a run as WBO super middleweight world champion, as he moved up to light heavyweight for a series of non-descript wins, and his run of victories ended with a clear defeat on the cards to Dimitrii Bivol for the WBA (Super) title in November 2022.
He rebounded last October, moving up to cruiserweight to take a points win against Joe Smith Jr. Goulamirian (27-1, 19 KOs) had originally become WBA “regular” champion in 2018, and was upgraded a year later, making four defences in total, the last a points win over Aleksei Egorov in France in November 2022.
Ramirez tasted the power of the champion early, and dealt with the shots solidly, and by the third, the Mexican was confident enough to exchange and work the body of Goulamirian.
The uppercut was landing almost at will for Ramirez, and by round six, a right hand from the challenger seemed to knock Goulamirian off balance, a sign that the power was becoming a factor.
Goulamirian was landing clean shots, but not often enough to win rounds, and Ramirez was happy to exchange where needed, but also step on the gas to assert his authority. The final round saw the pair exchange to the final bell, and the result looked in little doubt, which was confirmed when the scores were read out.
Three identical scores of 118-110 saw Ramirez create history, and he could well go on to the heavyweight division, after hinting at that move during fight week.
HISTORY MADE for Zurdo Ramirez! 🇲🇽#GoulamirianRamirez pic.twitter.com/srX5ryYZsw
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 31, 2024
Successful night for Golden Boy charges – undercard recap
Kareem Hackett (12-1, 6 KOs) was upset on the undercard, as Rowdy Legend Montgomery (11-5-1, 8 KOs) scored a third round knockout win to take the vacant WBA Intercontinental light heavyweight title.
Ricardo Rafael Sandoval (24-2, 17 KOs) forced Carlos Buitrago (38-13-1, 22 KOs) to retire after the eighth round of their flyweight affair when well ahead on the cards, and at welterweight, Alexis Rocha (24-2, 16 KOs) also won via retirement, with Fredrick Lawson (30-5, 22 KOs) unable to make it out for the eighth round of their contest.
1-2-3 HIT EM WITH IT 🗣️@AlexisRocha777 🏆#GoulamirianZurdo | LIVE on @DAZNBoxing @youtubetheater pic.twitter.com/5L5Ge9W3ev
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) March 31, 2024
Santiago Dominguez (27-0, 20 KOs) remained unbeaten, but had to go to the wire to take a ten round split decision win at welterweight against Jose Luis Sanchez (14-4-1, 4 KOs). Dominguez had scores of 97-93 and 96-94 in his favour, with Sanchez taking a third tally at 97-93.
Jose Mancilla (1-0, 1 KO) started life as a pro with a first round win against Reuben Johnson (0-6) at light heavyweight, and Joel Iriarte (2-0, 2 KOs) also won in the opening round, winning his welterweight four rounder against Kevin Beltran Aguirre (5-3, 2 KOs) early on.
