Philippines, 22 Nov 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


ZURDO RAMIREZ HOSTS MEDIA WORKOUT AHEAD OF CRUISERWEIGHT BATTLE AGAINST JOE SMITH JR. ON OCT. 7

PhilBoxing.com




LOS ANGELES, CA (September 21, 2023): Former World Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) hosted a media workout at Brickhouse Boxing Club ahead of his grand debut in the cruiserweight division against former light heavyweight World Champion Joe “Common Man” Smith Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs) of Long Island, New York on Saturday, October 7. The clash is presented in association with Star Boxing, will take place live from The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and live around the world on DAZN.

A number of undercard fighters of the Zurdo vs. Smith Jr. event also participated in the workout to promote their upcoming matches. Recently signed to Golden Boy, John “Scrappy” Ramirez (12-0, 8 KOs) will co-headline with a 12-round, WBA Super Flyweight Final Eliminator fight against Panama City, Panama’s Ronal Batista (15-3, 9 KOs). Bektemir “The Bully” Melikuziev (12-1, 9 KOs) of Shoimbek, Uzbekistan, who also proudly represents Indio, will face Upper Marlboro, Maryland’s Alantez “SlyAza” Fox (28-4-1, 13 KOs). Daniel “Ikaika” Luna (3-0, 3 KOs) will participate in a four-round super lightweight fight against Guadalajara, Mexico's Erick Benitez (4-5, 1 KO).

Here is what today's participants had to say:

GILBERTO “ZURDO" RAMIREZ, FORMER WORLD CHAMPION:
"I am excited for me an my team to return on October 7 in Las Vegas. I am most excited for myself because some of the best shows happen in Vegas."

"I feel great at cruiserweight, this is typically the weight I've walked around my entire life. I feel much stronger in this class and most importantly I feel healthy."

"Dealing with the Bivol loss was really tough. It hurt my soul and it hurt my ego as a warrior. Now that I have been able to move past it, I want to come back even stronger and I want to win. I want to feel like I can do it."

"I've been watching Joe Smith Jr. for many years now; probably his whole career. He is a great fighter and it's exciting for me to face him because he is a former world champion, he has faced many former champions and great top opponents."

JOHN “SCRAPPY” RAMIREZ, SUPER FLYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE CONTENDER:
"This final eliminator is just another fight, something that I have been working for and it has finally came into fruition. It's all about staying ready so you don't need to get ready."

"My path to a world championship is fight to fight, opponent to opponent. Right now, my focus is the man in front of me. He is Panamanian, has tremendous experience, he is hungry, and he is looking for that opportunity to make a statement. So I am not taking him lightly. When the competition is good, I perform better."

BEKTEMIR “THE BULLY” MELIKUZIEV, SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT FIGHTER:
"I feel good after my great win against Gabriel Rosado. I am excited to finally be back. We're ready for all the big fights in the division. Gabe was a very principal fight for me. I am now in my hunting mode for the world titles."

"My team have done their homework on my opponent. It doesn't matter to me who I fight. I know he is very tall for our weight class, he is very awkward, tough, and always in good fights. I am not looking past my opponent, it's going to be a very interesting fight.

DANIEL “IKAIKA” LUNA, SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT PROSPECT:
"We had a really quick night last month with my second-round knockout, so I just thought why not? My team and I talked about it, and we felt that I was all ready, in-shape, and prepared to come back this month. We just want to stay busy."

"We don't focus on the knockouts, we focus on staying busy. If the knockout comes, it comes. I know my opponent is pretty tough and comes to fight, but so do I."

###

Zurdo vs. Smith Jr. is a 12-round cruiserweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing. The event will be available worldwide to all subscribers on DAZN, both live and on demand.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.StarBoxing.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @StarBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy, www.facebook.com/StarBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/DAZN. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy, @StarBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Follow the conversation using #ZurdoSmith




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • RING/DAZN PPV Card Gives Bang for the Bucks
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 21 Nov 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
    , Fri, 21 Nov 2025
  • JC Chavez Jr to return in January 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025
  • Houston Rockets Subdue Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-104, Gain Tie for 2nd in the West
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 1: 1904 OLYMPICS AT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025
  • Pacquiao, Nine Other Pinoys in Latest Ring Ratings
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025
  • QUOTES FROM MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS LOS ANGELES OPEN WORKOUT AT WILD CARD BOXING CLUB AND LAS VEGAS OPEN WORKOUT AHEAD OF NOV. 29 FIGHT NIGHT AT PECHANGA RESORT CASINO
    , Thu, 20 Nov 2025
  • Super Featherweight Sluggers ‘Tsendy’ Erdenebat and Abraham Montoya Agree to Meet in Short-Notice Co-Featured Bout on Proboxtv’s Friday Night Fights
    , Thu, 20 Nov 2025
  • Cartagenas, Yu top 4th DCHS Fun Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 NOVEMBER 2025: Espinosa Defeats Khegai; Benn Gets Even With Eubank Jnr; Catterall Stops Essuman
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • Paras to challenge Malajika for IBO World super flyweight title on Nov. 29 in South Africa
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • Lebron James is first player to play 23 seasons in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • Team Tira Tira Sampaloc Tres is SJDM Woodpusher Society 3X3 Rapid Chess Tournament Champion
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • RUN IT BACK! GOLDEN BOY KICKS OFF 2026 FIGHT SCHEDULE WITH NIGHT OF HIGH STAKES REMATCHES
    , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • Boxlab Promotions “Night of Champions XIII” Undercard Bouts Announced
    , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • Porres-Narukami fight moved to Nov. 23
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025
  • Rematch for the ages
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • "Limping" Boston Showing Famed Celtics Pride
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • IIEE-Trocio Engineers defeated Splashers Lawyers in the BPBL Opening
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • ThunderDome 52 Card Preview
    , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Los Angeles Lakers may be under NBA gambling Investigation
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • PLAYER+ and BIBA Announce Official Partnership
    , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Roberto Racasa Claims 7 Medals at Asia Open International Memory Championships in Hyderabad, India
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Bacnotan Pickleball Club Marks First Anniversary With Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Connor Benn Targets Barrios' WBC Welter Belt After Defeating Chris Eubank Jnr
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.