Gilberto Ramirez Eyes Showdown with Yuniel Dorticos, with Jai Opetaia on the Horizon
Gilberto Ramirez is on a quest to conquer the cruiserweight division, having already secured two world titles. But there's a hurdle he must clear before aiming for a third crown - mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticos, currently holding the top spot in the WBA rankings. Dorticos has been patiently waiting for his shot since November 2022, despite some twists and turns along the way.
Dorticos, with a record of 27-2 and 25 knockouts, hasn't been very active lately. The Cuban fighter, who now calls Miami home, has only stepped into the ring three times against lesser-known opponents since losing his IBF title to Mairis Briedis in 2020. Despite these gaps in his fight schedule, Dorticos seems poised to finally get his chance at Ramirez.
According to Eric Gomez of Golden Boy Promotions, the plan is to address Dorticos' mandatory challenge before considering a unification fight with Jai Opetaia, the current lineal champion and IBF titleholder. Opetaia, on the other hand, is gearing up for his own mandatory defense against Huseyin Cinkara in January.
Opetaia's rise to the top has been marked by impressive victories and strategic moves, including vacating the IBF title to face tough opponents like Ellis Zorro and securing his place as a dominant force in the division. With both Ramirez and Opetaia navigating their paths to greatness, the stage is set for an epic showdown that could determine the undisputed champion of the cruiserweight division.
For more boxing insights and analysis, follow David Greisman on Twitter @FightingWords2 and @UnitedBoxingPod . His book, "Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing," offers a deep dive into the world of boxing and is available on Amazon.
