Dmitry Bivol returns tonight with a huge title fight against Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez in Abu Dhabi.
It’s six months on from the Russian’s sensational win over Canelo Alvarez, beating the pound-for-pound great via unanimous decision, and while there is talk of a rematch in 2023, the focus for now is on another Mexican.
Eddie Hearn and Matchroom had hoped to make a fight between Bivol and Joshua Buatsi before the end of the year, but that was rejected by the WBA and it was ordered that a mandatory defence must instead be made against Ramirez.
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It’s a bout between two unbeaten fighters, Bivol 20-0 with nine knockouts while his opponent is yet to taste defeat in his 44 professional fights, winning 30 of those inside the distance.
Ramirez was WBO world champion at super-middleweight for three years earlier in his career, winning the belt off Arthur Abraham and he then made five successful defences of the title.
The 31-year-old opted to move up to light-heavyweight in 2019 and now gets his first shot at the big time in the divison, with Bivol expecting a tough test on Saturday night.
“He has good body punches, he makes the weight well, he’s confident,” the Russian said of Ramirez. “I think, first of all, it will be a great fight because we both want to win. We both don’t know what losing is, and when people are well matched it’s an amazing fight.
“I wanted to fight him maybe three or four years ago and I said to my team, ‘Let’s make this fight.’ He was a champion at super-middleweight, I wanted to fight against another champion, then he has zero losses, it’s a good challenge for me.”
Bivol vs Ramirez date, start time, venue and ring walks
Bivol vs Ramirez takes place on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The ring walks for the main event should be around 9pm GMT though as ever, those times are subject to change.
Bivol vs Ramirez fight card/undercard in full
British fighter Chantelle Cameron looks to become undisputed light-welterweight champion on the card, as she takes on Jessica McCaskill in what should be a brilliant fight.
The 31-year-old currently holds the WBC and IBF belts and, with the vacant WBO and WBA titles also on the line, there is the chance for Cameron to reach the pinnacle of the sport in her first fight outside the UK.
The task is a difficult one, up against McCaskill who has won her last seven fights, including two wins over Cecilia Braekhus, since she was beaten by Katie Taylor in 2017. The American, undisputed at welterweight, is dropping down a division for the shot at all the light-welterweight titles.
Zelfa Barrett faces Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov for the vacant IBF world title, after Joe Cordina was stripped as he pulled out of his defence against Rakhimov with a hand injury.
Campbell Hatton is also in action earlier in the night, looking to extend his professional record to 9-0, along with brothers Galal and Kal Yafai.
Dmitry Bivol vs Gilberto Ramirez
Chantelle Cameron vs Jessica McCaskill
Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov vs Zelfa Barrett
Galal Yafai vs Gohan Rodriguez Garcia
Kal Yafai vs Jerald Paclar
Sultan Al Nuaimi vs Sohaib Haque
Aqib Fiaz vs Diego Valtierra
Campbell Hatton vs Denis Bartos
Fahad Al Bloushi vs Irakli Shariashvili
Majid Al Naqbi vs John Lawrence Ordonio
How to watch Bivol vs Ramirez
TV channel: In the UK, Bivol vs Ramirez is being shown live on DAZN, with coverage of the undercard getting underway at 5.30pm GMT.
‘Before the Bell’ takes place from 2pm, with the main event due to start at approximately 9pm. A subscription to DAZN currently costs £7.99 a month in the UK.
Live blog: You can follow all the action via Standard Sport’s LIVE blog.
Bivol vs Ramirez fight prediction
Bivol unsurprisingly goes into the fight as a strong favourite, after his superb win over Canelo to halt the Mexican’s seemingly unstoppable charge through the divisions.
However, it’s unlikely to be an entirely straightforward night for the 31-year-old, particularly if there’s any sort of drop in intensity in what is likely to be a far more low-key atmosphere than he experienced in Las Vegas earlier this year.
Despite fighting for much of his career at super-middleweight, Ramirez will have both a height and reach advantage in the ring on Saturday night, and he has won all of his fights since moving up in weight by knockout.
The Mexican is an aggressive fighter and has certainly earned his shot at a world title, but he will have to take risks in closing the distance if he is to enjoy any sort of success.
Bivol is likely to want to avoid too many exchanges, knowing he has a significant advantage if it turns into a technical fight and he can outbox Ramirez at range.
Both fighters are durable enough that there’s a strong chance the bout goes the distance, with Bivol doing enough on the cards even if he has to come through some slightly shaky moments.
Bivol to win by unanimous decision.
Bivol vs Ramirez weigh-in results
The fighters took to the scales on Friday afternoon. Bivol weighed-in at 174.7lbs, with Ramirez slightly lighter at 174.6lbs.
Bivol vs Ramirez betting odds
Bivol to win: 1/5
Ramirez to win: 10/3
Draw: 20/1
Bivol to win by decision/technical decision: 8/15
Bivol to win by KO, TKO or DQ: 4/1
Ramirez to win by decision/technical decision: 7/1
Ramirez to win by KO, TKO or DQ: 7/1
