Gilberto Ramirez vs. Yuniel Dorticos | DAZN PPV - June 28, 2025

[Ruthless-RKO]

Gilberto Ramirez vs. Yuniel Dorticos Mandatory Title Fight Formally Ordered By WBA

A championship showdown between Jai Opetaia and Gilberto Ramirez is inevitable.

It just won’t be next.

The Ring has learned that Opetaia and Ramirez will instead make separate title defenses, in lieu of a publicly discussed unification bout for The Ring championship and three major titles. Opetaia (27-0, 21 KOs) talked up the fight after his Jan. 8 knockout victory over David Nyika (10-1, 9 KOs), where he defended The Ring cruiserweight crown and IBF title.

Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs), The Ring’s No. 1 cruiserweight contender, is more likely to instead first face mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs). As previously reported by The Ring, the WBA informed both parties that the ordered fight was in queue.

Action was finally taken on Thursday, when the two sides were instructed to enter a 30-day negotiation period.

Ramirez is represented by Golden Boy Promotions, while Dorticos is with Caribe Promotions.

The two were previously ordered to fight last year, but the WBA honored a two-party agreement to allow Ramirez to enter an optional defense. It led to the Mexican southpaw facing and defeating Chris Billam-Smith (20-2, 13 KOs) last Nov. 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Ramirez unified the WBA and WBO titles with the victory, two belts which Opetaia hoped to add to his collection. The unbeaten Sydney native sought a unification bout either in May or June, the latter which could have anchored a discussed Matchroom Boxing-Golden Boy Promotions 5-v-5 series.

The fight will have to wait. All signs point to Ramirez proceeding with his ordered bout against Dorticos this time around.

Ramirez defeated then-unbeaten Arsen Goulamirian (27-0, 19 KOs at the time) to win the WBA cruiserweight title last March 30 at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California. The 33-year-old from Mazatlan, Mexico became a two-division titlist with the win.

Dorticos is a former two-time cruiserweight whose career has been plagued by inactivity.

The Miami-based Cuban has fought just five times since 2019. His 18-month stretch outside the ring was enough to be dropped from The Ring’s cruiserweight ratings. Nor was his 60-second wipeout of journeyman Alan Campa (19-11, 13 KOs) last June 7 enough to re-enter the top ten.

It was just enough, however, to maintain his place as the WBA’s leading contender.

Dorticos has won three straight since a Sept. 2020 defeat to Mairis Briedis (28-3, 20 KOs) in their World Boxing Super Series season two finale. The setback ended his IBF cruiserweight title reign which began 16 months earlier in a tenth-round knockout win over Andrew Tabiti.

The only other loss on Dorticos’ ledger also came in a WBSS tournament, when he was stopped by then-unbeaten IBF titlist Murat Gassiev in the twelfth round of their WBA/IBF unification bout.

Ramirez and Dorticos have until Feb. 16 to reach terms and avoid a purse bid hearing. It is doubtful that another exception could be explored, even if Ramirez and Golden Boy were immediately interested in challenging for Opetaia’s RING championship.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Shitty orgs.

[joshj909]

Borderline retired opponent while everyone wants a unification instead. Where's the WBSS when you need it? Turki should be putting that together.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Borderline retired opponent while everyone wants a unification instead. Where's the WBSS when you need it? Turki should be putting that together.

Dorticos was in both the previous 2 wasn’t he?

[joshj909]

Borderline retired opponent while everyone wants a unification instead. Where's the WBSS when you need it? Turki should be putting that together.

Dorticos was in both the previous 2 wasn’t he?

He was. Think he's the last one left active at cruiserweight from the first season.

[gregregegg]

Dorts was class but hasn’t done much lately.

If he is actually 38 (big if with Cubans) then he could still be very good. Cuban genetics are pretty solid for longevity in sports.

It’s an acceptable fight if there wasn’t way better things on the table. But it’s pretty shit considering dorts hasn’t done shit in 4 years.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Gilberto Ramirez defense vs Yuniel Dorticos to come before unification

Unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will next fight Yuniel Dorticos.

Ramirez had been linked to a fight with IBF titleholder Jai Opetaia, and while he hopes that matchup will materialize in time, it is Dorticos who has Ramirez’s immediate attention.

“Dorticos is next for me,” WBA and WBO belt holder Ramirez told BS. “And then I want to be undisputed, but I need to do my first title defense for both my titles, and Dorticos is the next opponent. Probably at the end of May. I don’t know where yet, but we’re working [on it].”

Cuba’s Dorticos is 27-2 (25 KOs) and rated No. 1 by the WBA.

“I don’t know too much about him, but I’ve been watching him since he fought Murat Gassiev in the [World Boxing Super Series] and I saw a couple of fights of him. He’s Dr Knockout, and he’s dangerous.”

Mexico’s Ramirez, 47-1 (30 KOs), is riding high after an impressive 2024. He made just about all of the Fighter of the Year lists by claiming the WBA strap from Arsen Goulamirian and then scalping Chris Billam-Smith for the WBO belt.

“It was my best year because I won the two titles and I moved up to cruiserweight,” Ramirez said, adding that he felt the win over Billam-Smith was the best of the two.

“I think, for me, it was Billam-Smith – it was the best victory, because he was a champion for a long time. They were both champions, but Billam-Smith, I conquered the two world championships. That’s why. He was super-tough and he threw a lot of punches and he can take punches, too. I was really surprised by him.”

Dorticos comes first, but unification is what is driving Ramirez, a gifted southpaw.

“Making money and getting all the belts,” he said, smiling, when asked about his motivation. “That’s my main goal, to have all the belts, my legacy. And that’s what I want – to be a legend one day. I want the legacy.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

GILBERTO “ZURDO” RAMIREZ DEFENDS CRUISERWEIGHT TITLES JUNE 28 VS. YUNIEL DORTICOS

Unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez has a new date on the calendar to defend his crowns.

After originally preparing for an April 19 fight, and then a date sometime in May, The Ring has learned that the WBA and WBO title holder Ramirez will face mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticos on June 28 on DAZN at a location yet to be determined, according to a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations.

Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) is coming off the best year of his career in which he scored unanimous decision wins against Arsen Goulamirian for the WBA belt in March and Chris Billam-Smith for the WBO crown in November.

Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs) remained as the WBA mandatory challenger throughout and received step-aside fees in order for “Zurdo” to step in for the sizable opportunities.

Dorticos, a soon-to-be 39-year-old Cuban based in Miami, has been inactive in recent years, fighting only once in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024 while going without a fight in 2023.

The career-long cruiserweight has fallen short in the two most significant contests of his career, albeit in ultra-competitive title fights.

In 2018, Murat Gassiev dramatically dropped Dorticos twice and stopped him in the 12th round of a fight that was tight on the scorecards. In 2020, Dorticos suffered a majority decision defeat to Mairis Briedis during the World Boxing Super Series final.

If Ramirez, a 33-year-old from Mexico, outlasts the power-punching Dorticos, he’ll continue to stay in prime position for big fights against the likes of The Ring and IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia and light heavyweight king Dmitry Bivol and top contender David Benavidez, both of whom have considered cruiserweight campaigns in recent days.

[IRL25]

It's a match up that I like the look of as Dorticos has proven power at Cruiserweight and will give Zurdo Ramirez alot more problems than what CBS did (and that's a hard thing to say as I like 'The Gentleman' for his work ethic and tenacity) but he just didn't have the smarts to cut the ring down against Zurdo.

[igor king]

Dorticos hasn't faced anybody with a pulse since his 2020 loss to Briedis. His power and skills are likely not even close to what they were in his prime.

[Ruthless-RKO]

ZURDO RAMIREZ PREDICTS KO WIN VS. DORTICOS, SAYS 2025 WILL BE EVEN BIGGER YEAR

Unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez is predicting a knockout win for his planned title defense on June 28 against Yuniel Dorticos, as part of a card broadcast by DAZN.

“I will stop him,” Ramirez told The Ring in an interview following a training session with coach Julian Chua at the Brickhouse Boxing Club.

“They say he's a real cruiserweight, but they said that against the others, too. I feel comfortable, happy, and ready to go against Dorticos. He's a big puncher who has a lot of experience. He's shared the ring with a lot of good fighters. But I’m the champion and I’m ready for whatever he brings. I'll take this fight, but the next one has to be for another one of the titles. That's more exciting for me. I want to be the undisputed champion.”

Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) is coming off the most successful year of his 16-year career in 2024, securing unanimous decision victories over Arsen Goulamirian in March to claim the WBA title and Chris Billam-Smith in November to capture the WBO crown.

Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs), a 39-year-old career-long cruiserweight from Cuba, has been the WBA’s longtime mandatory challenger and will finally get his crack at the crown after rebuilding his career from losses against Murat Gassiev in 2018 and Mairis Briedis in 2020.

“I had great performances in 2024 and it will be better this year,” said Ramirez. “In the Billam-Smith fight, I hurt my shoulder and still beat him not being 100 percent and not able to throw by jab. Now I feel much better. I was expecting a hard fight, but it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. But I don't take anything away from him. He was a great champion and took some hard punches. He hit hard, was strong, and had good stamina, conditioning, and heart. He can be a champion again, but not against me.”

Ramirez is also a former super middleweight title holder who missed out on becoming a champion at 175 pounds during his lone title shot, and career loss, against Dmitry Bivol in 2022.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ramirez to defend against Dorticos with Jake Paul-Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr in co-main

The return of WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will make his return to the ring on June 28, against Cuban Yuniel Dorticos, with a fight between Jake Paul and Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr accompanying it on the bill.

The show is at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Ramirez is coming off a stellar 2024, claiming his titles against Arsen Goulamirian and Chris Billam-Smith respectively.

In Dorticos, he faces a former IBF and WBA champion, who stands in his way of a unified clash with current IBF champion Jai Opetaia.

Ramirez is 47-1 (30 KOs), while the Cuban is 27-2 (25 KOs).

“I’m excited to step back into the ring this June to defend my WBA and WBO titles,” said Ramirez. “This fight marks my WBA mandatory, and I know I need to get past this opponent to stay on track in my journey toward greatness – and ultimately, to become the undisputed champion. I’ve been training non-stop and feel sharper than ever as I continue to grow and mature in the sport. The goal hasn’t changed. I’m locked in, and I’m proud to be featured on this card alongside Jake Paul and my good friend Julio César Chávez Jnr. A big thank you to my team, Golden Boy Promotions, MVP, the WBA, the WBO, and all my fans. I can’t wait to put on a show you won’t forget.”

Dorticos, likewise, thanked those charged with organizing the event and added: “My goal is to become a three-time world champion, and now by fighting Zurdo Ramirez I have been granted the chance to accomplish my goals.”

Jake Paul, coming off the huge Netflix event at the end of 2024 that saw him outpoint faded legend Mike Tyson, is now 11-1 as a boxer.

“Five years ago, I stepped into the ring for my pro debut after a single amateur fight, and every fight since has been a step towards becoming world champion,” said Paul. “I just defeated the baddest man on the planet, and now I’m going against a former champion who conman Canelo couldn’t finish. Chávez Jnr is Mexican, but I, El Gallo De Dorado, have the will and heart of the great Mexican fighters. On Saturday, June 28, live on DAZN pay-per-view, I will knock out Julio and make Chávez Snr proud in ways Jnr never has. Another massive event from Most Valuable Promotions, with some Oscar De La Hoya seasoning added to the show. Viva La Puerto Rico.”

Chavez, who is now 54-6-1 (34 KOs) as a pro, said he feels younger than his 39 years.

“First of all, I will show what I can do now that everything is in the right place in my life – mentally and physically,” he said. “I feel rejuvenated and 10 years younger. Second, I want to thank MVP for taking the risk of fighting me. Unfortunately for their Problem Child, they’re going to have a big problem this June – one they won’t know how to resolve. Hopefully when I beat him, people won’t underestimate this win.”

Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions along with Paul, said: “Saturday, June 28 marks a defining moment in Jake Paul’s ascent to the top of the boxing world as he aims to show the 125 million people that watched him fight Mike Tyson that he is a real contender in the sport… Add to that the co-main event, which has the return of Mexican Zurdo Ramirez, the WBA and WBO champion, defending his titles against the dangerous Cuban Yuniel Dorticós and you have the ingredients for a night full of fireworks. Most Valuable Promotions is honored to present this momentous card in partnership with Golden Boy Promotions, live from Honda Center in Anaheim and we are proud to continue delivering groundbreaking moments for the sport on DAZN pay-per-view.”

“Once again, Golden Boy is proving that we’re willing to work with anyone to deliver the biggest and most exciting events in boxing. We’re thrilled to partner with Jake Paul, Nakisa Bidarian, Most Valuable Promotions, and DAZN to bring this blockbuster night to fans around the world,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Now the WBA and WBO Unified Cruiserweight Champion, Zurdo has made history not once, but twice – first as the first Mexican-born fighter to become a super middleweight world champion, and now as the first-ever Mexican to claim a cruiserweight world title, holding championships in both divisions. Ramirez is ready to light up the ring once again – this time against the dangerous Yuniel Dorticós, who’s coming in with everything he’s got to steal the spotlight in this mandatory matchup. But make no mistake: Zurdo is built for moments like this. It’s going to be an unforgettable night celebrating the best of Mexican boxing.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Later this Month

[BIGDOUG58]

Ramirez's last win of his career
Opetaia will be his last fight with Ramirez being KTFO inside3 rounds

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week!!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Jake Paul faces another former champion from a bygone era this weekend when he steps into the ring with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. [From 2011 to 2012, Chavez was the WBC middleweight champion. Paul vs. Chavez will be at cruiserweight]. The boasts and promises from ‘The Problem Child’ are consistent as ever heading into battle as he once again vowed to deliver an emphatic victory whoile also maintaining that the day will come when he becomes world champion. For that to happen, this latest path on that quest, must be one that Paul handles impressively, but is he capable of disposing of Chavez Jr in a vicious and simple manner? The answer is simple – he has to if his boxing credentials are ever to be taken seriously.

Paul’s improvements, notable ones that some boxing traditionalists will not admit, have been identified in recent years as his time in the gym under solid tutelage has seen him master some old crafts that have helped in certain situations. At the level he operates at, against fellow novices or boxing neophytes, Paul looks comfortable under pressure, he knows how to smother and spoil, and he is not afraid to let his hands go. That has allowed him to dominate certain fighters, but never enough to make observers fully back him when the going might get tough.

Paul had his backers when he takes on the likes of Mike Tyson, age 58 at the time, and a man who had been inactive for the best part of 20 years. Now with Chavez Jr, a former middleweight ruler now intent on doing as little as possible in the ring, will those supporting his chances of victory at this echelon of the sport consider him a threat against any current ranked contender? Ask plenty in the know and they will tell you that numerous former world champions, inactive for many years, would be too smart and experienced for Paul. Numerous spats with Carl Froch and Tony Bellew have created speculation the retired Brits could one day be opposing Paul in the ring, and there would be many backing the previous world champions.

Take that forward a few spaces and assess the current world champions around the cruiserweight division Paul operates in. Who do you see who Paul could defeat, or even be competitive against?

Jai Opetaia? Zurdo Ramirez? Dmitry Bivol? Artur Beterbiev? A lengthy list of dangerous men sit comfortably in the positions Paul believes he is capable of filling, and they do not appear to be going anywhere just yet. What about the contenders a level below, who are more than capable of getting their hands on a world title anywhere between light-heavyweight and the land of boxing’s giants? Chris Billam-Smith? Anthony Yarde? Viddal Riley? Is this an area where Paul is targeting?

One that could realistically aid his world title hopes, or is his current strategy of targeting marketable greats from yesteryear enough to quench his fighting thirst?

If it is the former, then Paul must start proving that. Tyson, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz have all taken Paul the distance in recent bouts. If the popular Ohioan can end Chavez Jr’s hopes before the final bell, something Canelo Alvarez could not manage, then he will every right to dream bigger.

Paul will always have his doubters in boxing, the toughest of sports, but he also holds the power to convince them his aspirations are genuine and that must start this Saturday night.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Purses as per CASC

Ramirez - $1.5 million
Dorticos- $300k

[amwsnw]

115-112 zurdo for me. He won’t bother opetaia based on that.

[margaret thatcher]

well he'll never get close to jai anyway if jai keeps up his current opposition

[Evander]

Sluggish unimpressive affair

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

CompuBox stats

[handsofstone]

Not as bad as Paul/Chavez Jr but still pretty uninspiring stuff, there was plenty punches thrown I'll give them that but no quality in their punches, Ramirez was a fat mess and Dorticos punches lacked snap, didn't score but Ramirez probably deserved it but I never scored, looked pretty repetitive tbh, disappointing because Zurdo was excellent against Billam-Smith