BoxRec

Dmitry Bivol vs. Gilberto Ramirez is Ordered By The WBA

Dmitry Bivol finally has his marching orders.

The leading candidate for 2022 Fighter of the Year has been summoned to next make a mandatory defense of his WBA light heavyweight title against number-one contender Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez. The bout was formally ordered by the WBA on Monday afternoon, with the two sides given until August 10 to come to terms to avoid a purse bid hearing.

“Bivol’s champion period is conditioned to a term of 24 months and his last mandatory fight was on March 3, 2018, his next one was to be after March 2020,” Carlos Chavez, chairman of the WBA Championship Committee detailed in a letter to both camps, a copy of which was obtained by Boxing Scene. “For that reason, he must face Ramirez.

“In case they do not reach an agreement in the given time period or any of the parties refused to do so, the WBA will have the right to call the fight a purse bid.”

Bivol is represented by Matchroom Boxing and career-long manager Vadim Kornilov. Ramirez proudly fights under the Golden Boy Promotions banner and with manager David Suh handling the business side of his career.

Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) is coming off the biggest win of his career and the best performance posted by any boxer thus far in 2022.

The unbeaten long-reigning titlist turned away the challenge of four-division champ and then pound-for-pound king this past May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The 31-year old Kyrgyzstan-born, Russian-based champ was viewed as a clear winner by most observers but had to sweat out absurdly close scorecards of 115-113 across the board to retain his title for the ninth defense of the title he has held since 2017.

Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) emerged as the mandatory challenger just one week later after a fourth-round knockout of Dominic Boesel in their May 14 title eliminator in Ontario, California. The was the fifth straight at light heavyweight for the Mexican southpaw, who moved up in 2019 after previously reigning as a WBO super middleweight titlist.

There were loose talks of Bivol possibly facing England’s Joshua Buatsi later this year, though such a fight was always at the mercy of the WBA’s ruling. Ramirez was the number two contender at the time of his one-sided win over then number-one ranked Boesel, which made it a no-brainer to order the fight, despite the WBA taking weeks to rule on the matter.

Bivol’s path became clearer once it was learned that Alvarez (57-2-2, 39KOs)—who sought to enforce a rematch clause—was locked into a trilogy fight with longtime rival Gennadiy Golovkin (42-1-1, 37KOs) which takes place September 17 on DAZN Pay-Per-View from T-Mobile Arena. Alvarez was contractually bound to a third clash with Golovkin as part of a multi-fight agreement that brought him back to Matchroom Boxing and DAZN after a one fight absence.

Alvarez will defend his undisputed super middleweight championship in the fight with Golovkin, a two-time and reigning WBA/IBF middleweight titlist who will move up in weight. The global superstar from Guadalajara, Mexico has publicly insisted his intention to again face Bivol provided he prevails on September 17.

It will also require Bivol to conquer Ramirez, who signed with Golden Boy Promotions last year with the intention of running his record to at least 52-0 and winning titles all the way up to heavyweight.

For now, the pair of unbeaten light heavyweights have 30 days to focus on reaching a deal for their next fight.

Zurdo Ramirez On WBA-Ordered Fight With Bivol: Time Is Right And I Will Be Ready For It

Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez could not have been more thrilled when he received the news.

It’s been two months since the unbeaten Mexican southpaw secured the number-one contender slot to fight for the WBA light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol, with both posting wins one week apart in May. The waiting game ensued before the WBA formally ordered the mandatory title fight on Monday, with both camps now given until August 10 to reach a deal.

“The beginning was a little bit sad and mad for me,” Ramirez admitted to BS.com, initially concerned that the fight would not be ordered to next take place. “Now, everything has changed. The time is right, and I will be ready for it. I knew the fight would happen.

“I was always confident the fight would happen and now it’s happening. I’m so excited.”

Ramirez (44-0, 30KOs)—who signed with Golden Boy Promotions last spring—became the mandatory challenger following a fourth-round stoppage of Dominic Boesel in their May 14 final eliminator. The win was his fifth straight at light heavyweight, all by knockout dating back to his April 2019 arrival after having previously held the WBO super middleweight title.

The win over Boesel came one week after Bivol (20-0, 11KOs)—a Kyrgyzstan-born fighter who lives in Russia—delivered the best performance of his career in a twelve-round, unanimous decision over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez on May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

There were initial whispers that Bivol could next face England’s Joshua Buatsi, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist for Great Britain and current top-rated contender. Those rumors died down and were dismissed outright once the WBA moved forward with the fight between Bivol and the 31-year-old Ramirez, a southpaw from Mazatlan, Mexico.

“This is a great opportunity,” insisted Ramirez, who previously made five defenses of the WBO super middleweight title before moving up. “I was waiting for this and now it’s happening.

“Now is the time to put everything into training, it’s time to fight.”

Gilberto Ramirez Vows To Absorb Bivol's Shine From Shocking Canelo

Former super middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez believes the circumstances that led to his mandatory shot at Dmitry Bivol have all worked out in his favor.

Ramirez has been chasing Bivol for a crack at the WBA light heavyweight title.

The sanctioning body recently ordered them to fight each other.

Back in May, Bivol shocked the critics when he outboxed Mexican superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez over twelve rounds to retain his strap.

Canelo had the option to exercise an immediate rematch clause, but he ultimately decided to drop back to super middleweight to defend his undisputed crown against Gennadiy Golovkin in a trilogy fight on September 17.

The unexpected victory made Bivol a much bigger name within the sport - and also a bigger name among fans of boxing.

Ramirez had wanted to face Bivol earlier in the year, but the Russian boxer opted to fight Canelo, which was a more lucrative and more high profile opportunity.

Additionally, Ramirez explains that Bivol showed his class as a top tier fighter - which makes their fight a more high-profile encounter for both parties.

Besides the WBA title, Ramirez wants to absorb Bivol's shine from upsetting Canelo.

"The fact that now a lot of people know Bivol is a good thing because when I fight him, I'm going to get everything he has and especially the world title," Ramiez told DAZN.

“I had the fight with Bivol before Canelo, but he said no, he wanted Canelo first, but it ended up being a good thing for me because he beat Canelo, and you see the credibility of the fighter. The credibility that Bivol has, and now when I fight him, you will see the credibility that Zurdo Ramirez has. I want to be world champion again, unify titles and eventually become a legend.”

WBA Rejects Appeal For Bivol To Bypass Mandatory Title Defense, Must Face Ramirez Next

Joshua Buatsi and Eddie Hearn will have to settle for the fights already ordered by two separate sanctioning bodies.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that the WBA has rejected a request submitted by Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing to grant an exemption for WBA light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol. The hope was for Bivol to bypass a mandatory title defense against Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez and instead face Buatsi, though to no avail per an official ruling made Tuesday—a copy of which was obtained by BS.com.

“The WBA Championships Committee ratified the mandatory fight between light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and his mandatory challenger Gilberto Ramirez,” Carlos Chavez, chairman of the WBA Championship Committee confirmed Wednesday afternoon. “After receiving a request for special permission to fight Joshua Buatsi from the champion and after an extensive study of the same, the WBA denied such permission.

“Bivol and Ramirez will have until August 10 (as originally planned) to reach an agreement or the fight will go to Purse bid.”

The ruling comes as camps for Bivol and Ramirez are up against the 30-day negotiation deadline to reach a deal for their previously ordered title fight. Bivol is represented in talks by Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and manager Vadim Kornilov, while Golden Boy Promotions and manager David Suh have negotiated on Ramirez’s behalf.

Bivol (20-0, 11KOs) is coming off a career-best win. The 31-year old Kyrgyzstan-born, Russian-based champ thoroughly outboxed undisputed super middleweight champion and then-pound-for-pound king Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez this past May 7 in Las Vegas. The WBA waited out Alvarez’s considering a decision to enforce an immediate rematch clause in the contract; the Mexican superstar instead moved forward with a trilogy clash against Gennadiy Golovkin.

Ramirez (44-0, 30KOs)—a former WBO super middleweight titlist from Mazatlan, Mexico—advanced to the mandatory position following a fourth-round knockout of Dominic Boesel in their final eliminator on May 14 in Ontario, California. The fight was placed one week after Bivol-Alvarez, to keep both fighters on the same schedule.

One week after Ramirez’s win, Buatsi (16-0, 13KOs) furthered his credentials with a twelve-round win over Craig Richards on May 21. The win allowed the unbeaten Brit—who claimed a Bronze medal for Great Britain in the 2016 Rio Olympics—to advance to the number-two position in the WBA rankings. It was just far enough to not disrupt the due mandatory title fight, despite the best efforts by Matchroom to get the WBA to change their mind.

Plans called for a Bivol-Buatsi fight to potentially take place this fall in Abu Dhabi had the request been approved by the WBA. Instead, Buatsi’s team will have to revisit talks with former champ Jean Pascal for an already ordered IBF final eliminator, with that deadline fast approaching later this month.

“The last time a mandatory fight was held in the 175-pound division was in March 2018, so the lapse is expired for the champion and he must face the mandatory challenger as established by the rules,” explained Chavez.

“It should be noted that WBA Rule C.47 dictates that ‘the Committee and the President, in their sole discretion, shall consider the best interests of boxing, the purposes and policies of the Association and such other factors as may be relevant, and shall use their best efforts to balance the competing interests. The WBA is not obliged to grant a request for special permission.”

With the ruling coming as the 30-day negotiation period is set to run out, it seems highly likely that Bivol-Ramirez will head to a purse bid hearing. That announcement is expected to come as early as Thursday morning.

Bivol has held his version of the WBA title since November 2017, having made eight successful defenses. His lone mandatory title fight came in his first defense, a 12th-round stoppage win over Sullivan Barrera in March 2018.

Ramirez is 5-0 since moving up to light heavyweight in 2019. Prior to that, the 31-year-old Mexican southpaw held the WBO super middleweight title dating back to his April 2016 points win over Arthur Abraham.

Dmitry Bivol to defend WBA light heavyweight title against Gilberto Ramirez on Nov. 5 in UAE

Dmitry Bivol and Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez have agreed to a deal for a WBA light heavyweight title fight that will take place Nov. 5 in the United Arab Emirates, the organization announced.

The rights to the fight were scheduled to be auctioned off at a purse bid on Sunday afternoon before the deal was struck.

Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) is coming off an upset win over Canelo Alvarez in May to retain his 175-pound title. The 31-year-old Russian is ESPN's No. 2 light heavyweight and No. 8 pound-for-pound boxer.

Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) is a former super middleweight titleholder now campaigning at light heavyweight. Through five fights at 175 pounds, the 31-year-old Mexican has shown off a far more aggressive style -- and punching power -- but has yet to face anyone approaching the caliber of Bivol.

Ramirez is ESPN's No. 3 light heavyweight and will be installed as a decided underdog against Bivol, one of the slickest boxers in the sport coming off a landmark victory.

Abu Dhabi to host epic Light-Heavyweight World Title boxing clash in November

It is the first fight of the new Champions Series in the emirate.

WBA Light-Heavyweight belt holder Dmitry Bivol will defend his world title against Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez in Abu Dhabi this November it has been announced.

The title bout scheduled to take place at the Etihad Arena on 5 November, is the emirate’s move into hosting major boxing clashes and marks the first fight of a new ‘Champions Series’ between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Matchroom Boxing.

The 12-round fight will see undefeated Bivol who famously defeated pound-for-pound king Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in Las Vegas in May, make his ninth defence of his title against Ramirez who has a perfect record from 44 flights including 30 knock-outs.

A former WBO Super-Middleweight World Champion, Ramirez has won all of his five fights at Light-Heavyweight since moving up the divisions in 2019 and earned his shot at the Bivol when he defeated Dominic Boesel in a title eliminator in California in May.



The fight continues Abu Dhabi’s rich history in combat sports with UFC 280 scheduled to take place at the end of October in the same venue.

Press Release

Dmitry Bivol will defend his WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title against Mandatory Challenger Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Saturday November 5, live to subscribers worldwide on DAZN (excluding South Korea and MENA).

Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) is coming off a huge upset win over Mexican pound-for-pound superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in May, where he retained his 175lbs World Title via a unanimous decision to make it 20 wins from 20 fights.

The 31-year-old handed Alvarez only the second loss of his career, nine years on from his first at the hands of modern great Floyd Mayweather, and in doing so further cemented himself as one of the very best Light-Heavyweights on the planet.

Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) is a former WBO Super-Middleweight World Champion who has won all five of his fights at Light-Heavyweight inside the distance in impressive fashion since moving up in weight in 2019.

The heavy-handed Mexican southpaw emerged as the Mandatory Challenger to long-reigning champion Bivol, after a fourth-round knockout of Dominic Boesel in their May 14 title eliminator in Ontario, California.

“The fight with Zurdo has been brewing for some time, many things have been said,” said Bivol. “Now we have the chance to take care of things with our actions in the ring, and not our words outside of the ring.”

“I’m happy that the fight is finally happening despite all the challenges,” said Ramirez. “It’s been a long time coming and I look forward to a great night come November 5. I would fight Bivol anywhere – including Mars, but I know we’ll put on a great show in Abu Dhabi. I’m happy overall and very thankful to the WBA, Mr. Gilberto Mendoza and the Golden Boy family for being on this journey with me.”

“Dmitry Bivol has now secured himself with pound-for-pound status after his victory over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in May and looks to make a hugely important defence against Mandatory Challenger and former World Champion Gilberto Ramirez. The card will be stacked with World Championship fights and is set to be one of the biggest nights of boxing in 2022,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “I’m delighted to bring this huge World Title fight to Abu Dhabi and would like to thank Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi for all of their help in making this world-class event become a reality. Roll on November 5 for a huge night of World Championship boxing live on DAZN.”

“With this fight finally materialising we look forward to a great night of boxing to remember and another exceptional performance by Dmitry Bivol,” said Bivol’s manager Vadim Kornilov. “We are very excited to be in Abu Dhabi, which is on the way to be the modern top sports attraction of the world.”

“Dmitry Bivol vs. Gilberto Ramirez will be a great fight, many fans have been waiting for this fight to happen and it will finally materialise,” added President of World of Boxing, Andrei Ryabinskiy.

“We are headed to Abu Dhabi and Zurdo will prove he is the best Light-Heavyweight when he fights Bivol on November 5,” said Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya.

“We are thrilled to host this spectacular boxing event in Abu Dhabi – partnering with reputable partner Matchroom Boxing adds yet another dimension to our exciting calendar,” said HE Saleh Mohamed Saleh Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism, at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, “Once again, the eyes of the world will be on Abu Dhabi on November 5 as we continue to strengthen our position as a top destination for world-class sport. As the host city, we are eager to share our warm Emirati hospitality to visiting fans and offer them memorable, exciting experiences to enjoy at their own pace.”

“Thank you to our brilliant partners Matchroom Boxing and Golden Boy for delivering another blockbuster fight to the platform,” said Joseph Markowski, EVP, DAZN Group. “We can’t wait to see Dmitry Bivol back in the ring after he pulled off the upset of the year against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in May, and in the unbeaten Zurdo Ramirez, he will face one of his toughest opponents yet. We have a potential classic on our hands. Watch it live and worldwide on DAZN.”

Good fight. Horrible location. 'New markets' of course.................

garethhop wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 08:16 Good fight. Horrible location. 'New markets' of course.................

I’m not too bothered if it means more good fights happen. Also helps that they’ll be at a more U.K. friendly time.

My concern will be if/when U.K. fighters start headlining over there rather than here.

maverick23 wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 08:23

garethhop wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 08:16 Good fight. Horrible location. 'New markets' of course.................

I’m not too bothered if it means more good fights happen. Also helps that they’ll be at a more U.K. friendly time.

My concern will be if/when U.K. fighters start headlining over there rather than here.

Yeh, hopefully it's at UK friendly time.. Maybe 9pm main event start... Should mean a late evening main event in the US.

If they start doing at daft o clock in the UK to cater for US fans, that means it will be after midnight in the middle east, that'll piss me off..

I agree with you saying it won't help if Brits start headlining over there..

Boxing is prostituting itself to the Middle East.

maverick23 wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 08:23

garethhop wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 08:16 Good fight. Horrible location. 'New markets' of course.................

I’m not too bothered if it means more good fights happen. Also helps that they’ll be at a more U.K. friendly time.

My concern will be if/when U.K. fighters start headlining over there rather than here.

Hadn't thought about the time. So who is this fight for really then?

garethhop wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 10:18

maverick23 wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 08:23

garethhop wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 08:16 Good fight. Horrible location. 'New markets' of course.................

I’m not too bothered if it means more good fights happen. Also helps that they’ll be at a more U.K. friendly time.

My concern will be if/when U.K. fighters start headlining over there rather than here.

Hadn't thought about the time. So who is this fight for really then?

It’s for Eddie to get a piece of the oil money and for hardcore fight fans.

In fairness the UFC have been to Abu Dhabi before and put on McGregor/Poirier 2 there so they must have deep pockets. Still did big numbers on US PPV but clearly McGregor’s a one off.

maverick23 wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 10:24

garethhop wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 10:18

maverick23 wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 08:23

I’m not too bothered if it means more good fights happen. Also helps that they’ll be at a more U.K. friendly time.

My concern will be if/when U.K. fighters start headlining over there rather than here.

Hadn't thought about the time. So who is this fight for really then?

It’s for Eddie to get a piece of the oil money and for hardcore fight fans.

In fairness the UFC have been to Abu Dhabi before and put on McGregor/Poirier 2 there so they must have deep pockets. Still did big numbers on US PPV but clearly McGregor’s a one off.

No - I mean who will actually watch the fight.

The two Joshua ventures there were obviously all about UK PPVs, I just don't really get this unless it's about offsetting the costs of matchroom/DAZN contract with oil money - which it may well be......

The UFC stuff happens in the morning there doesn't it - so it still targets the US PPV market.

Apparently amateur boxing participation in Abu Dhabi has gone up 300% (from 2 to 8) since this was announced.

maverick23 wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 10:24

garethhop wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 10:18

maverick23 wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 08:23

I’m not too bothered if it means more good fights happen. Also helps that they’ll be at a more U.K. friendly time.

My concern will be if/when U.K. fighters start headlining over there rather than here.

Hadn't thought about the time. So who is this fight for really then?

It’s for Eddie to get a piece of the oil money and for hardcore fight fans.

In fairness the UFC have been to Abu Dhabi before and put on McGregor/Poirier 2 there so they must have deep pockets. Still did big numbers on US PPV but clearly McGregor’s a one off.

It was prime time in the US which helped the buys.

Wasn't it there due to COVID?

maverick23 wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 10:29 Apparently amateur boxing participation in Abu Dhabi has gone up 300% (from 2 to 8) since this was announced.

All about growing the sport and changing the game...... I see Montana Love is headlining a show in Cleveland in November the week after.

garethhop wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 10:28

maverick23 wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 10:24

garethhop wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 10:18

Hadn't thought about the time. So who is this fight for really then?

It’s for Eddie to get a piece of the oil money and for hardcore fight fans.

In fairness the UFC have been to Abu Dhabi before and put on McGregor/Poirier 2 there so they must have deep pockets. Still did big numbers on US PPV but clearly McGregor’s a one off.

No - I mean who will actually watch the fight.

The two Joshua ventures there were obviously all about UK PPVs, I just don't really get this unless it's about offsetting the costs of matchroom/DAZN contract with oil money - which it may well be......

The UFC stuff happens in the morning there doesn't it - so it still targets the US PPV market.

It depends what time they do it I guess. More folk will watch it in the US (I guess for Ramirez) than anywhere else so I’d get it if they made it start at something like 7pm EST but they may be paying so much they’d want it at a better time for the wealthy people going.

I think you’re right in that it will help with costs and should allow some big fights to get made without DAZN having to pony up so much.

The last UFC PPV show there (UFC 267) was on early so the main card started at 7pm BST from memory. The McGregor one started later as there’d be far more interest in that. The appetite for this in the US is probably less than any UFC show so I’d be surprised if they’re not starting early.

garethhop wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 10:36

maverick23 wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 10:29 Apparently amateur boxing participation in Abu Dhabi has gone up 300% (from 2 to 8) since this was announced.

All about growing the sport and changing the game...... I see Montana Love is headlining a show in Cleveland in November the week after.

I’d never heard of Sparks until he signed with Matchroom. And now he’s headlining one of their infrequent US shows. Very strange. At least they’re having Love fight in his hometown.

maverick23 wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 10:43

garethhop wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 10:36

maverick23 wrote: ↑30 Aug 2022, 10:29 Apparently amateur boxing participation in Abu Dhabi has gone up 300% (from 2 to 8) since this was announced.

All about growing the sport and changing the game...... I see Montana Love is headlining a show in Cleveland in November the week after.

I’d never heard of Sparks until he signed with Matchroom. And now he’s headlining one of their infrequent US shows. Very strange. At least they’re having Love fight in his hometown.

Those DAZN $s ran out fast.

Looks like they adding Jessica McCaskill vs. Chantelle Cameron on this card.

Hearn’s mandatory womens co-feature bout.

Is Kali Reis vacates her belt, this will be for undisputed at 140.

Launch Presser

Joe Cordina vs Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov lands on Bivol-Ramirez card

The Welsh Wizard’ looks to build on stunning one-punch KO win

Joe Cordina will make the maiden defence of his IBF Super-Featherweight World Title against Mandatory Challenger Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Saturday November 5, live to subscribers worldwide on DAZN (excluding South Korea and MENA).

Cordina vs. Rakhimov lands on the undercard of the huge WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title clash between undefeated rivals Dmitry Bivol and Gilberto Zurdo Ramirez – Matchroom’s first ever show in the United Arab Emirates.

‘The Welsh Wizard’ (15-0, 9 KOs) captured the famous red and gold belt with a stunning one-punch knockout of Japan’s Kenichi Ogawa on a memorable night at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff earlier this year in June to become the latest Welsh World Champion.

Tajikistan’s Rakhimov (16-0-1, 13 KOs) challenged for the vacant IBF belt against an overweight Joseph Diaz at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio last year – pushing the American all the way in a majority draw for the title that only he could win.

‘Shere Khan’ was presented with a second opportunity to fight for the IBF 140lbs World Title against Ogawa – but was forced to withdraw from the scheduled bout due to injury. The 27-year-old is currently the highest ranked contender with the IBF.

“I know it’s going to be a tough fight so I’m going to be prepared for 12 hard rounds,” said Cordina. “I know I’m going to have to bite down on my gumshield and dig my toes in. It’s going to get tough in there but I’m going to be prepared for that.

“Nothing has really changed since I won the World Title back in June. My mentality is still the same, I still want to be the best in the world – I want to win more titles. I’ve reached my goal of becoming World Champion but now I’ve set new goals which include becoming a unified and undisputed World Champion.

“It’s great to be a part of the first show in Abu Dhabi. I’ve been a part of some big nights in boxing – the Joshua vs. Klitschko show in front of a sold-out Wembley Stadium, Bramall Lane Stadium with Kell Brook against Errol Spence and two Joshua fights at the Principality Stadium. To be a part of another historic show is unbelievable and another one ticked off my list.”

“We have a huge night of World Championship boxing planned for Abu Dhabi on November 5 and Joe Cordina vs. Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov is the first addition to an all-action undercard,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “The Welsh Wizard landed the IBF Super-Featherweight World Title with an epic one-punch knockout win in his home city earlier this year but that’s just the start of the journey for Welsh boxing’s latest star. Joe has ambitions of becoming undisputed at 130lbs but first he needs to get past an incredibly tough first defence in the shape of IBF number one Rakhimov who has already challenged for the IBF crown.”

An announcement on tickets will follow in due course.

Press Release | Chantelle Cameron and Jessica McCaskill will clash for the Ring Belt

After a historic month of September, women’s boxing will have another mega-bout involving two of the game’s best pound-for-pound fighters facing each other in another high-stakes Ring championship bout.

Chantelle Cameron and Jessica McCaskill will clash for Cameron’s junior welterweight Ring belt on the undercard of Dmitry Bivol vs. Gilberto Zurdo Ramirez at the at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Saturday November 5. The bout will be broadcasted live to subscribers worldwide on DAZN (excluding South Korea and MENA).

Northampton’s Cameron (16-0, 8 KOs), rated No. 7 by The Ring at pound-for-pound, captured the WBC belt first by widely outpointing Brazil’s Adriana dos Santos Arauja behind closed doors at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes back in October 2020.

‘Il Capo’ looked sensational as she stopped Puerto Rico’s Melissa Hernandez in five rounds during the first defense of her crown the following year in her US debut at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, and then the 31-year-old added the IBF and inaugural Ring magazine titles to her collection by decisioning Indiana’s Mary McGee in an all-action main event at The O2 in London in October 2021 before defending her titles with another unanimous decision points win over Victoria Noelia Bustos in May this year.

Ring welterweight champion McCaskill (12-2, 5 KOs), rated No. 5 by The Ring at pound-for-pound, will be dropping down in weight to enhance her pound-for-pound credentials, which she earned after dethroning long-reigning champion Cecilia Braekhus in Tulsa back in August 2020.

A former WBC and WBA world champion at junior welterweight, ‘CasKILLA’ returns to 140 lbs for the first time since October 2019.

“This fight means everything to me, for me it’s all or nothing,” said Cameron. “It’s a career-defining moment for me – this is what every boxer sets out to achieve when they turn professional. As soon as I became a World Champion, I said that the main goal was to become undisputed. To become undisputed would be my dream come true. It’s what I want to achieve in boxing.

“Jessica is a very dangerous fighter and obviously undisputed at 147lbs. She’s been there and she’s done it. She’s got that crown at 147lbs so it’s definitely going to be my toughest fight to date. I’m expecting her to come out all guns blazing. She’s going to stick in on my chest, but I’ve got a game plan A, game plan B and game plan C.

“I’ll make sure that I box how I want to box and not get caught up in a slugfest. As long as I stay switched on and do what I know I can do then this won’t be a messy fight. It’s going to be a good hard fight, but I know I’m a better all-round fighter.”

“I want to take on the biggest and best fights,” said McCaskill. “I want to dominate in multiple weight classes. It’s too easy to stay in one weight class and play it safe. Now I want to prove myself as the best junior welterweight on the planet.”

“This is a career-defining moment for Britain’s Chantelle Cameron – a chance to write her name into the history books and become the undisputed junior welterweight champion,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Chantelle hasn’t put a foot wrong so far in her career but she knows she faces her toughest test to date against Chicago’s brilliant undisputed welterweight ruler Jessica McCaskill who returns to 140lbs for another shot at greatness. What a card we’re building for November 5 – watch it live around the world on DAZN.”

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?...