Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez moving up to 175

[Nondescript]

I think 168 is an easier division for him. Callum Smith aside he'd probably open as the betting favourite against anyone else. The move up must be partially enforced due to struggles making weight.

175 is tough for him imo. Gvozdyk, Kovalev, Beterbiev, Bivol, Browne, Jack, Alvarez etc. More tough fights for him there. Even some lower top 10 guys might fancy their chances with him. Barrera, Yarde, Smith Jr etc. Interesting to see who is first opponent will be.

The LHW's don't have a Callum Smith IMHO, and again he struggled with Hart twice so for him, it's plenty competitive. So there are certainly MORE opportunities at LHW. I have to agree that maybe he's struggling making weight. He's pretty big at 6'2" +, so it makes the most sense, I guess. Yarde should jump on this.

To be fair though, Hart is a pretty decent fighter. Good boxing ability and athleticism and can punch. I don't think the likes of Smith, Degale, etc, would find him an easy nights work.

[oogiebe]

I think 168 is an easier division for him. Callum Smith aside he'd probably open as the betting favourite against anyone else. The move up must be partially enforced due to struggles making weight.

175 is tough for him imo. Gvozdyk, Kovalev, Beterbiev, Bivol, Browne, Jack, Alvarez etc. More tough fights for him there. Even some lower top 10 guys might fancy their chances with him. Barrera, Yarde, Smith Jr etc. Interesting to see who is first opponent will be.

The LHW's don't have a Callum Smith IMHO, and again he struggled with Hart twice so for him, it's plenty competitive. So there are certainly MORE opportunities at LHW. I have to agree that maybe he's struggling making weight. He's pretty big at 6'2" +, so it makes the most sense, I guess. Yarde should jump on this.

To be fair though, Hart is a pretty decent fighter. Good boxing ability and athleticism and can punch. I don't think the likes of Smith, Degale, etc, would find him an easy nights work.

Fair points, but Zurdo is moving up in weight. Hart is no world beater and it doesn't give me any confidence in the move up.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Don't know why he never pursued unification. I don't really fancy his chances at 175 against most of the best, but he could certainly be a worthy contender, and I wouldn't mind seeing what would happen if he fought one of the top guys just for the hell of it.

He was offered a place in the WBSS, big paydays, unification, Ali trophy etc... Turned it down. That says it all really.
His height and reach will not be a factor at 175 like it is at SMW.
Maybe at 175 he can have a bit more power and stamina, but I fear it won't be enough to challenge the belt holders.
A good test would be someone like Johnson or Barrera, it's still a big step up past those guys to the top level.
Al must have some plan for him to gain a belt without facing the likes of Glovsdyk, Bivol, Kov, etc

It was Arum and Top Rank. They didn’t allow their fighters to join. They prefer in house shît.

Zurdo could have unified in the WBSS and picked up some $$$’s on the way. Also would have had some decent names on his resume had he won.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Majority of LHW’s especially the champions bar Bivol are all on ESPN now anway. So shouldn’t be too hard to make the fights happen.

[oogiebe]

Heard he's changing trainers now as well.