Dmitry Bivol Retains WBA Title With Unanimous Decision Win vs. Gilberto Ramirez
Dmitry Bivol retained his WBA light heavyweight title in lopsided fashion with a unanimous decision over Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
As reported by ESPN, the win, via scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111, comes after Bivol broke through in May with an upset victory over Canelo Alvarez, ESPN’s No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer at the time.
With the pair of impressive wins, Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) is the clear front-runner for Fighter of the Year honors with less than 60 days remaining in the 2022 campaign.
“I proved myself, I can be the best guy in the world,” said Bivol, ESPN’s No. 8 pound-for-pound boxer. “… The lion is not biggest animal in jungle, but he’s king. Zurdo bigger than me; doesn’t matter.”
Indeed, Ramirez appeared to be the far bigger man, even though he’s a former 168-pound titleholder who moved up to 175 in 2019.
The 31-year-old Mexican fighter had stopped all five of his light heavyweight opponents inside the distance but was never truly in the fight with Bivol.
The 31-year-old Bivol, who fights out of St. Petersburg, Russia, controlled the action from the opening bell with his excellent jab, smooth footwork and impeccable timing.
