Gilberto Ramirez appeared more than at ease jumping up to cruiserweight on Saturday night, his first fight since being almost 7 pounds underweight and having a scheduled 175-pound fight in March cancelled.
Ramirez(45-1) started out more cautiously, the southpaw picking his areas and eventually dismantling Smith with lead lefts to the body and then followed with combinations to the head.
Smith(28-5) preferred to load up and unleash strong rights to the head that frequently missed their target.
“He has a heavy hand, but as a Mexican I can take a punch,” said Ramirez in media reports.
“I gave him my best; he boxed great tonight,” said Smith in media reports, fighting for the first time since he was defeated by Artur Beterbiev via TKO.
“I feel like I was a little heavy on my feet today and I didn’t let my hand go like I normally do, but I’m happy with my performance. I wish I was a little more busy. I hurt him a couple of times. It would have been nice to get him out of there, but I’m happy I’m here, I’m good and congrats to him for boxing great,” said Smith in media reports.
Ramirez wants to face Dmitry Bivol again after losing to him in Abu Dhabi for the WBA super global light heavyweight championship, and he also has other goals.
“Of course, he hurt my ego, my soul and as a Mexican, I want a rematch, I want to beat him,” said Ramirez in media reports.
“I want to do my best I don’t need to look back. I need to look forward now and beyond, and whoever is in front, I need to beat the guy,” said Ramirez in media reports.
(Additional reporting provided by Joseph Hammond)
Edited by Judy J. Rotich and Newsdesk Manager
