Billam-Smith to face Ramirez in unification bout

[Ledhed1]

BBC Sport

WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith will take on WBA champion Gilberto Ramirez in a unification bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 16 November.

It will be Billam-Smith's third defence of his title, the 34-year-old Briton having forced a stoppage against Mateusz Masternak in December followed by a points victory over Richard Riakporhe in June.

Ramirez became the first Mexican to win a cruiserweight title when he defeated Arsen Goulamirian for the WBA belt in March.

The 33-year-old, who previously held the WBO super-middleweight title between 2016 and 2019, has a 46-1 record with 30 knockouts.

'The Gentleman', as Billam-Smith is nicknamed, won the WBO title when he defeated Lawrence Okolie at Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium in May 2023.

His victory against previously undefeated Riakporhe at Selhurst Park, London, avenged the only loss of his 21-fight career.

[WelshDevilRob]

This is a very good match-up and one that I wouldn't, normally, expect to see. Saudis sure do put on some intriguing contests. Ramirez is hot and cold, while I don't rate Billam-Smith highly, he is decent though.