Philippines, 29 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:

  • WEIGHTS FROM PROBOXTV’S ‘THE CONTENDER SERIES’ AT SAVE MART CENTER IN FRESNO, SAT., NOVEMBER 29
    , Sat, 29 Nov 2025
  • BIRMINGHAM WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS BEN WHITTAKER PREPARES FOR MATCHROOM DEBUT
    , Fri, 28 Nov 2025
  • Coach Marvin Somodio: Full of Life and Punch at 42
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 28 Nov 2025
  • Boston Ends Detroit's Winning Streak at 12; Celtics Trip Pistons, 117-114 at the Garden
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 28 Nov 2025
  • 7-Eleven Run 2026 set on Jan. 31-Feb. 1
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 28 Nov 2025
  • Carlos Cañizales Forced to Cancel Flight to Thailand for WBC World Title Defense
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • World Boxing Champions Promotions to Present Manny Pacquiao & Freddie Roach with Inaugural “Centurion Awards” During Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event on November 29
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • Atif Oberlton Takes on Vaughn Alexander on Saturday, December 6th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • Iligan tops in PEKAF Mindanao qualifying tourney
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2026 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4th
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • World Renowned Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Launches Private Boxing Camp in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • Eight Boxers Remain in WBC Grand Prix Finals On December 20
    , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez Confirms World Title Fight with David Benavidez on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Petecio in, Paalam out
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Takuma Inoue World Champion Again; Beats Nasukawa for Vacant WBC Belt
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 3: 1920 OLYMPIC GAMES AT ANTWERP, BELGIUM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Badenas TKO’s Saknosiwi in 10th round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Las Vegas & California Amateurs Shine in a Powerful Fall Rumble Weekend Followed by a Heartfelt Turkey Drive for Local Families
    , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Santa Run Davao on December 14 at NCCC Mall Victoria Plaza
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Alec “The Rock” Del Rio Fights for WBC Asia Title Friday in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Eumir, Weljohn put pros on hold
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Toronto Topples Cleveland, 110-99 for 8th Straight Win; Holds on to 2nd in the East
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • PPP Seniors & PWD Fun Run 2025 on Dec. 13 in Talomo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES A FULL SELLOUT AND BROADCAST DETAILS AHEAD OF U.S. DEBUT EVENT THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, AT PECHANGA RESORT CASINO IN TEMECULA, CALIF.
    , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Tomorrow Night's CB Promotions Card at The Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton is Postponed
    , Tue, 25 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.