Dmitry Bivol vs. Gilberto Ramirez | DAZN - 5 November 2022

[Ruthless-RKO]

Main event will be 10pm UK time. You'd be looking at another job if you worked at Matchroom USA right now wouldn't you?...

USA has been sacked off..

Well he does have a show there soon.

He's been blacklisted by the other promoters.

[cormack]

straightforward win for Bivol by mid to late stoppage .

[maverick23]

Main event will be 10pm UK time. You'd be looking at another job if you worked at Matchroom USA right now wouldn't you?...

USA has been sacked off..

Well he does have a show there soon.

He's been blacklisted by the other promoters.

It hasn’t been sacked off. He’s promoting the biggest US fight of the year so far in a couple of weeks.

Their strategy has changed massively though which I’m not surprised about. You can’t keep paying Andrade and others several millions for fights people don’t care about.

Will be interesting to see what happens with Canelo after GGG.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Main event will be 10pm UK time. You'd be looking at another job if you worked at Matchroom USA right now wouldn't you?...

USA has been sacked off..

Well he does have a show there soon.

He's been blacklisted by the other promoters.

It hasn’t been sacked off. He’s promoting the biggest US fight of the year so far in a couple of weeks.

Their strategy has changed massively though which I’m not surprised about. You can’t keep paying Andrade and others several millions for fights people don’t care about.

Will be interesting to see what happens with Canelo after GGG.

They're both technically free agents aren't they. GGG has a contract with DAZN.. He did a joint thing with Matchroom.

Canelo is also promotional free as well.. He's working with whoever offers him the most money and best deal.

Hearn doesn't promote either really, he IS like you said promoting the event yes.. which is big. Not as big as the first 2 bouts. Maybe nowhere near. No one is even talking about it.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Presser Quotes

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“Good afternoon everyone and welcome to a historic press conference here in Abu Dhabi. November 5, our first even here in Abu Dhabi. The ‘Champion Series’ and an incredible main event, the WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title between Dmitry Bivol and Zurdo Ramirez.

“A historic moment for Abu Dhabi, the DCT and for Matchroom Boxing as well as we build a long-term partnership here of global high-profile World Championship fights. November 5 is the start of such an exciting future in what has become a global sports hub here in Abu Dhabi.

“This is an iconic moment and we want to thank so many different people – the DCT, we want to thank Eleven as well, Frank Smith who’s done such a great job. There has been a lot of hard work that has gone into this process. We are about building long-term partnerships with outstanding partners, and great people to work with.

“You’ve seen across the NBA, you’ve seen across the UFC, Dana White and the team couldn’t speak more highly of everyone involved in their relationship with Abu Dhabi. For us as a business, this is just the start of a new world of boxing here in the Middle East and in Abu Dhabi. Earlier on today we announced that Joe Cordina will defend his IBF Super-Featherweight World Championship against the Mandatory Challenger Rakhimov and the undisputed women’s Light-Welterweight World Championship – Chantelle Cameron McCaskill. They’re the first three fights announced for November 5 in the stunning Etihad Arena.”

Dmitry Bivol:

“First of all, hello everyone and thank you for coming. Yes, maybe it’s one of the toughest fights in my career. I’m thinking like that every time before my fights. I want to say thank you to you Eddie and Matchroom, and everyone in Abu Dhabi. Everyone who wanted to make this fight.

“I’m glad to defend my title in Abu Dhabi. I heard this is the first time that someone has defended a World Title in Abu Dhabi. It’s great to be the first. I hope it’s not the last time in Abu Dhabi. Thank you to Ramirez for this fight. I know he wanted this fight a long time. Me too. Now it will happen. He is a good fighter and I like challenges. I like to fight against the guy who has won 44 fights and who is bigger than me and taller than me. This is a big challenge for me. I hope it will be a great fight on November 5.

“I have to be focused only on this fight. Every time when I have a fight I’m focused on that fight. Of course I have great plans in my head, I want to be the best fighter in the world. I want to get more belts, but now I have a big fight against a good fighter. I try to be focused only on November 5.”

Vadim Kornilov, manager of Dmitry Bivol:

“Thank you, Eddie. You’re definitely back on the team of course. You were never off the team because I think you believed in Dmirty the whole way from the beginning – just like the rest of us. It’s very exciting.

“After the Canelo fight obviously it’s a second level of motivation they have to find. Any fighter that goes to that level, they have to motivate themselves to go on. Having to fight a guy like Ramirez who is very well respected, who has never lost and who has fought some of the top-level guys, it’s something that you have to overcome and it’s something that we have to do.

“You have to find something inside you to get that victory again. I believe that Dmirty has that mentality and he is always very tough and confident. I think he will be able to do it and go on to get the other belts after this. That’s something that we look forward to as well.”

Gilberto Zurdo Ramirez:

“Thank you. Thank you everyone. Thank you for having us and for the hospitality. I’m glad to be here in Abu Dhabi. It’s my first time here and I feel like I’m at home because it’s the same weather as back home – hot and humid. It’s perfect for me.

“Thank you Matchroom and thank you to Golden Boy for making this possible. I’m looking forward to getting that title on November 5 to become a two-time World Champion. I think it will be a great night, an exciting fight for everyone. Even for me, I can’t wait for this fight. I’ve been waiting so long for this moment and I just want to say thank you to Dmitry Bivol for taking this fight.

“I think we’re going to put on a great show for all of the fans and for Abu Dhabi. It will be a great night. He is one of the greatest 175 pounders’ and he beat one of the greatest fighters in boxing too. Congratulations to him. I knew he would be a tough fight for Canelo. It was a great night for Bivol because he beat him by unanimous decision. It was great. What can I tell you? I’m 44 fights and 44 wins.”

Eric Gomez, Golden Boy Promotions:

“I just want to thank everybody for being here. The hospitality has been incredible. It’s an incredible city, a beautiful city – it’s my first time here. I want to thank DAZN and Joe Markowski – thank you for all you do. Eddie, you and your team, Frank Smith. It’s always a pleasure working with you guys. I want to thank the champion Dmity Bivol, his manager Vadim. This is a great fight. This is going to be an incredible fight. Both fighters are undefeated and it’s going to be a very exciting fight. I don’t normally like to give predictions, but I’m compelled to give a prediction for this fight. I feel strongly that the winner is going to be Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi and also the world of boxing. It’s rare that we put these fights together, it’s a special event, so thank you guys very much for having us and we look forward to November 5.”

Joseph Markowski, EVP, DAZN Group:

“Thank you, Eddie, and thank you to everyone up on the top table here today. It’ great to be here with old friends and new. Thank you to our hosts here in Abu Dhabi and to the DCT. Dmitry, it wasn’t too long ago that we were toasting your success in Las Vegas, late at night in your hotel room after your last win. It’s great to be back working with you.

“It’s a fantastic schedule we’re building on DAZN as we head into Autumn. In a couple of weeks’ time we have Canelo and GGG in a fantastic trilogy fight. More to come from our X Series – a new venture with KSI in the world of crossover boxing. This fight in early November as well as Eubank-Benn – a fantastic PPV event in the UK.

“We’re about building a schedule of events globally that engages new and existing boxing fans. We’re doing that with increasing regularity. We’re doing that with our partners at Golden Boy, it’s great to see Eric Gomez here from Los Angeles. It’s great to keep it in the DAZN family as always with Golden Boy and Matchroom.

“This event is representative of exactly what we’re trying to do – a global schedule with fantastic fights, matchups happening when they should happen and delivered with fantastic partners of which there are many sat on this table. We’re very excited, we’re looking forward to it and it’s great to be in business with Abu Dhabi.”

H.E. Saleh Mohammed Saleh Al Geziry:

“Thank you very much Eddie. I can’t express how happy we are for all of you to be here. This happiness is on a personal note because we’ve made new friends of Abu Dhabi, but also on a professional level where our partnership today and the announcement we’re doing today is a milestone for Abu Dhabi within what we are planning for the rest of the future.

“Today Abu Dhabi positioning itself as an events hub in the international world is a very important statement. In the vertical of sports, Abu Dhabi has done a great job with partnering with perfect international brands – whether it’s the NBA, whether it’s the UFC as Eddie rightly mentioned, whether it’s the T20 in cricket and so on and so forth. With the boxing world, we are very pleased to be partners with Matchroom.

“Normally whenever you start a certain vertical you want to start with a big bang, and I think the fight that has just been announced is a fight that everyone has been waiting for. I think it’s one of the first times that combined you have over 60 fights to zero. How could we have started with anything better than this? Thank you very much for putting this together.”

[KiwiRider]

Eww, Eddie really tongue polishing the Saudis ring piece here.

Q:
What would we do without all this Saudi sports washing money?

A:
Pay these prima-donnas a bit less probably, and stick to the moral high ground?

[mickey1975]

I was speaking to a bloke today who didn't even know Canelo-Ggg is happening and I'd class him as more than a casual. Promotion is non existent.

[garethhop]

I was speaking to a bloke today who didn't even know Canelo-Ggg is happening and I'd class him as more than a casual. Promotion is non existent.

Id forgotten all about it.

[peter barlow]

Middle East seems to be knocking US off it's perch for Boxing now.

[daz74]

This card is looking good so far, 3 x fights all for proper belts

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Tickets go on sale for Dmitry Bivol v 'Zurdo' Ramirez title clash in Abu Dhabi

Tickets for the WBA light-heavyweight title bout between undefeated duo Dmitry Bivol and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez in Abu Dhabi in November went on sale on Thursday.

The fight night, the first of the new “Champions Series” partnership between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Matchroom, takes place at Etihad Arena on November 5 and features three championship bouts already. It represents the capital's move into staging major boxing events.

Tickets, available at https://www.etihadarena.ae/en/event-boo ... ol-ramirez, begin at Dh295.

Bivol, whose record reads 20-0 (11 knockouts), makes the ninth defence of his WBA crown following his marquee victory against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in May.

Ramirez, meanwhile, sits as the mandatory challenger having reeled off five victories since moving from super-middleweight – he previously held the WBO belt at 168 lbs - to light heavyweight. The Mexican’s overall record stands at 44-0 (30 KOs).

To this point, the card includes an IBF junior lightweight title bout between champion Joe Cordina and Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov, while WBC and IBF women’s junior welterweight title-holder Chantelle Cameron will defend against undisputed welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill.



Speaking last month at the launch event for Bivol-Ramirez, Matchroom Sport chairman Hearn said: “This is an historic moment for Abu Dhabi and DCT, and for Matchroom Boxing as well, as we build a long-term partnership here of global, high-profile world championship fights.

"I believe November 5 to be the start of such an exciting future in what has become the global sports hub here in Abu Dhabi. This is an iconic moment. For us as a business this is just the start of a new world of boxing here in the Middle East and Abu Dhabi.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Bivol has moved his training camp to Dubai now.

[Dioufy]

Cordina injured and stripped of the title… big Zelda steps in against Rak.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hand injury to Joe Cordina scraps junior lightweight title fight vs. Shavkat Rakhimov, source says

Joe Cordina's junior lightweight title defense vs. Shavkat Rakhimov, scheduled for Nov. 5 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is off after Cordina suffered a hand injury that will require surgery, a source told ESPN.

The IBF informed Cordina (15-0, 9 KOs) on Monday that he has been stripped of his title, a source said.

Rakhimov, the organization's No. 1 contender, and Zelfa Barrett, who is ranked No. 2, will be in line to vie for the vacant 130-pound belt.

When the IBF sanctioned a fight between its then-champion, Kenichi Ogawa, and Cordina, it did so under the provision that the winner fight Rakhimov (16-0-1, 13 KOs) by Sept. 2. Cordina, an Olympian from Wales, won the title in June with a highlight-reel KO in the second round.

In July, the IBF granted Cordina a medical extension to allow the fight against Rakhimov, the mandatory challenger, on Nov. 5. The IBF granted Cordina another medical extension that would expire on Jan. 4, but the 30-year-old won't be available to compete until approximately March, according to an orthopedic hand surgeon consulted by the organization.

Rakhimov, ESPN's No. 2 junior lightweight, was slated to fight Ogawa last year but withdrew because of injury. In his lone title challenge, the Tajikistan-born fighter was held to a draw against Joseph Diaz Jr. in February 2021. Diaz failed to make weight ahead of the fight, so the belt became vacant, setting up Rakhimov, 28, for a mandatory shot.

Barrett (28-1, 16 KOs) isn't rated by ESPN, but the 29-year-old from Manchester has impressed in a recent string of fights against European-level opposition.

Cordina, ESPN's No. 7 junior lightweight, should be in line for a mandatory shot at Rakhimov after he recovers from hand surgery.

A light heavyweight title fight between Dmitry Bivol and Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez will headline Matchroom Boxing's Nov. 5 event in Abu Dhabi.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yafai added to this card

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[handsofstone]

Fck Benn and Fury and everyone else's shenanigans, this is what it's all about, this is one of the best fights in Boxing and include all the fantasy match ups that haven't been made, I'm still amazed this is happening

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Counter-puncher]

Main event will be 10pm UK time. You'd be looking at another job if you worked at Matchroom USA right now wouldn't you?...

USA has been sacked off..

Well he does have a show there soon.

He's been blacklisted by the other promoters.

It hasn’t been sacked off. He’s promoting the biggest US fight of the year so far in a couple of weeks.

I must really have missed something, or be very slow today. who?

[maverick23]

USA has been sacked off..

Well he does have a show there soon.

He's been blacklisted by the other promoters.

It hasn’t been sacked off. He’s promoting the biggest US fight of the year so far in a couple of weeks.

I must really have missed something, or be very slow today. who?

Canelo/GGG.

[Counter-puncher]

It hasn’t been sacked off. He’s promoting the biggest US fight of the year so far in a couple of weeks.

I must really have missed something, or be very slow today. who?

Canelo/GGG.

aaaaaaah didn't see the date of the post. ha.

[maverick23]

I must really have missed something, or be very slow today. who?

Canelo/GGG.

aaaaaaah didn't see the date of the post. ha.

No worries bud.

It goes to show how much of a poor year it’s been for boxing in the US.

[Bigdogsnose]

I think zurdos gonna give Bivol all he can handle. Not sure if Bivols being slightly overated on the back of canelo. Team ginge picked bivol for a reason, i think they saw a light hitting type of Plant/BJS type of fight where they'd lose rounds but ultimately breakdown and stop him.

Whilst they overlooked that Bivol was better than that, hes been poor in a few fights which is, i guess, what they went off.

This is different altogether. Ramirez fights longer, can stay busier and punch with him.

Tight fight for me.