Ramirez vs Hart 2 will stream live this Friday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez is seeking a fifth successful title defense. Jesse “Hollywood” Hart is out for revenge.

Ramirez (38-0, 25 KOs) will defend his WBO super middleweight world title against Hart (25-1, 21 KOs) this Friday at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, site of his February knockout of Habib Ahmed. Ramirez bested Hart via unanimous decision last September in one of the finest world championship fights of 2017.

The entire undercard will stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zapari Boxing Promotions, tickets to the Ramirez-Hart 2 world championship event are on sale now. Priced at $100, $65, $45, and $30, tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, at the American Bank Center Box Office, Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Hart and Ramirez worked out for the media Tuesday at Corpus Christi Boxing Club. This is what they had to say.

Gilberto Ramirez

“I’m coming to Corpus Christi to give the fans a great fight. I have very good memories of the last time I fought here. They treated me well. I felt right at home, and that’s why I asked to fight here again. I will not let them down. I will close the year the same way I started it, with a knockout win in Corpus Christi!”

“I don’t take this fight as a rematch. The first one was a good fight, but I beat him clearly. For this fight, I’m coming better prepared mentally and physically. I’m focused on taking care of business and winning convincingly.”

Jesse Hart

“Camp was great. It was real tough because I did things l never did before. I chopped wood for the first time. I climbed rope. Going into camp this time, I was in tremendous shape. I didn’t take any time off after my last fight. I knew the rematch was looming, so I stayed hungry and ready to go. After I win this title, I’m definitely going to take a vacation and spend time with my daughter and my family.”

“Right after the decision, I wanted to fight Gilberto again. When you look at all of his opponents, I was his only opponent that came close to beating him. He’s fought a lot of credible guys, but no one came as close as me.”

“I’ve never been more ready for a fight in my life. Gilberto Ramirez is going to see a different fighter this time around. All I can do is keep honing my craft and get better.”

Source Boxingnews24.com

|Gilberto "El Zurdo" Ramirez|WBO

It was one of the best fights of 2017. WBO super middleweight world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez had Jesse “Hollywood” Hart down and nearly out in the second round, only for Hart to come back with a furious late-rounds rally. Ramirez ultimately prevailed via unanimous decision that September evening in Tucson, Ariz., but Hart, the Philadelphia native with the legendary last name, had rematch on his mind immediately after the decision was rendered.

His wish has finally come true.

Ramirez will make the fifth defense of his world title against Hart, Friday, Dec. 14 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Ramirez-Hart 2 and a soon-to-be announced co-feature will stream live and exclusively at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ in the United States— the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. The entire undercard will stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zapari Boxing Promotions, tickets to the Ramirez-Hart 2 world championship event will go on sale Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. CST. Priced at $100, $65, $45, and $30, tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, at the American Bank Center Box Office, Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

“This will be a good fight. I feel better prepared than the first time and even more convinced that I will finish him,” Ramirez said. “I’ve always said that I wanted to be the king of the division. I’ve been waiting for unification fights, and I’m still patient. I’m at my best, and against Hart, I want to show why I’m the best.”

“I’m very grateful and humbled for this opportunity,” Hart said. “I just want to go out there and perform to the best of my ability. I have nothing derogatory to say about Gilberto Ramirez. At this point, I just want to go out there and perform.”

Ramirez (38-0, 25 KOs), the first Mexican-born super middleweight champion, will be defending the title he won from Arthur Abraham via shutout decision on April 9, 2016. A hand injury put Ramirez on the shelf until April 22, 2017, but he didn’t miss a beat, dominating Max Bursak en route to a unanimous decision victory. In his most recent outing, June 30 in Oklahoma City, Ramirez used his boxing skills to win a unanimous decision against Alexis Angulo. Ramirez, from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, is a nine-year pro who is no stranger to Corpus Christi. He headlined a show at the American Bank Center on Feb. 3, knocking out the previously unbeaten Habib Ahmed in the sixth round to retain his title.

Hart (25-1, 21 KOs), the WBO No. 1 contender, is a former amateur standout, winning the 2011 National Golden Gloves and U.S. National championships at 165 pounds. A 2012 U.S. Olympic alternate, Hart turned pro in 2012 and won his first 22 bouts prior to challenging Ramirez. Hart last fought as the ESPN co-feature Aug. 18 in Atlantic City, battering Mike Gavronski en route to a third-round stoppage. After more than a year of calling out Ramirez for a return match, Hart has his shot at redemption. A proud native of Philadelphia, Hart is the son of Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, a feared middleweight contender in the 1970s who never received a world title shot. With Eugene Hart in his corner as head trainer, Jesse Hart will seek to bring a world title home to the City of Brotherly Love.

|Corpus Christi|Gilberto "El Zurdo" Ramirez|Jesse Hart|WBO

Oklahoma City (June 28, 2018) – The fighters sat on a podium atop the floor where the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder play, discussing Saturday’s ESPN-televised card (9 p.m. ET) at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The ESPN main event will see WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (37-0, 25 KOs) defending his title against Alexis Angulo (23-0, 20 KOs).

The undercard will stream on ESPN+ (6:15 p.m. ET) and include the resurgent Mike Alvarado, female fighting sensation Mikaela Mayer, heavyweight knockout artist, and Oklahoma native Trey Lippe Morrison, and the pro debut of top amateur Christopher Zavala.

At the final press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.

Gilberto Ramirez

“Angulo is going to be a tough opponent. I expect a tough fight from him. He seems like a great fighter. His record proves it. From what I know, he’s a big puncher, and I know that he will try to knock me out. I’m going to try and knock him out, too. He doesn’t have a loss on his record, but he will on Saturday.”

Alexis Angulo

“I don’t feel like he has any advantages. We both have two legs. We both have two arms. We both have two eyes. We are equals, and anything can happen when you get in the ring.”

“It has been my dream to fight for a world title, and now the opportunity is here. Gilberto Ramirez is a great champion, but my time is now.”

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets to this world championship extravaganza are ON SALE NOW. Priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, not including facility and service fees, tickets may be purchased at the Chesapeake Energy Arena box office, online at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Use the hashtags #ZurdoAngulo and #SaucedoZappavigna to join the conversation on social media.
About ESPN+

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Photo by Mikey Williams / Top Rank

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) announced the officials for this Saturday, June 30, clash between WBO Super Middleweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramírez, from Mexico, and WBO Latino Champion and eighth ranked at 168 pounds Roamer Alexis Angulo, from Colombia.

The bout will take place at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, as part of a boxing evening presented by Top Rank.

Gary Ritter of Oklahoma, will be the referee of the fight. Ritter, who has worked as a referee in professional boxing for 17 years, has been the third man in the ring for world title fights in Japan, Mexico and the United States.

Javier Álvarez, of Texas, David Sutherland, of Oklahoma and Levi Martínez, of New Mexico, were appointed judges for the bout.

The WBO supervisor will be Richard De Cuir, of Sacramento, California.

For Ramírez (37-0, 25 KOs), this will be his fourth defense of the title he won at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 9, 2016. That night, he defeated German Arthur Abraham via unanimous decision.

Angulo (23-0, 20 KOs) became WBO Latino champion in Mexico with a second round TKO over local favorite Ronald Mansilla. The Colombian returned to Mexico for his second title defense in February, and knocked out Evert Bravo in the first round.

Ramírez-Angulo will be televised live on BoxNation, ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 9 p.m. ET.

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 27, 2018) – The Azteca Boxing Gym in Oklahoma City hosted a media workout for the biggest fight card to hit the city in years.

In the main event, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (37-0, 25 KOs) will defend the WBO super middleweight title against fellow unbeaten Alexis Angulo (23-0, 20 KOs).

Ramirez-Angulo will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 9 p.m. ET.

Gilberto Ramirez

“I am very excited to be in Oklahoma because since I arrived in the city I have been feeling the love and good vibes of my countrymen, from the fans and from the family of Saucedo. Everyone has shown their support.”

“The weather in OKC is like the warm weather of my hometown of Mazatlan, Mexico.”

“I feel that there will be a lot of Mexicans fans supporting me in the arena on Saturday night and that motivates me a lot. I come well prepared to defend my title and bring it back to my country.”

“I want to give the fans a good fight, and I want to show that I am the best fighter in the division.”

Alexis Angulo

“I’ll give my best. I can assure that the fans will be very happy with the fight. We’ve worked to take the title to Colombia. It’s a long trip and it’s been a strong preparation, so taking the title home is the least we expect.”

“Ramirez is a great world champion, which is why I think it will be an interesting fight. I’m sure he will also be prepared to give his best. I know it will be an excellent fight.”

Miami, FL.- Cuban trainer Pedro Diaz said that his Colombian pupil, Roamer Alexis Angulo, has reached the fight week of his scheduled clash with World Boxing Organization (WBO) world champion Gilberto Ramirez of Mexico – and according to the game plan they focused on strategy, but at the same time realizing that they may go to war.

“Alexis is fine, focused on the fight and regarding the possibility of going to a war… we are ready because whenever someone gets into a ring with a Mexican, he goes into that, into a war – whether or not he is a boxer with a renowned name, whether he is in his best shape or not., or is starting out [in boxing] or finishing up and he (Angulo) knows it,” said Diaz.

“It’s going to be a great fight definitely and I think that’s something that’s a sure thing.”

Confident, but at the same time cautious, Diaz also said that the weight limit (168 pounds or less) is not an issue in because they made certain preparations to get down to the weight limit. Diaz is always making sure that his boxer never sacrifices anything to get down to a certain weight limit, but at the same time he ensures that his fighter is strong and in his best fighting shape possible.

“So far it has never happened to us, where we ever had a problem with it (weight). Of course it can happen, but we have worked in such a manner where it won’t happen that way when we step on the scale on Friday,” Diaz said.

The Angulo-Ramirez showdown will be televised by ESPN. Angulo is undefeated with a record of 23-0 and 20 KOs. The champion is also undefeated, with a record of 37-0 with 25 KOs. And the televised card takes place at the Chesapeake Energy Arena of Oklahoma City.

Photo by www.BoxeodeColombia.com

https://www.boxingscene.com/angulo-prepared-go-war-with-gilberto-ramirez–129463

Signal Hill, Calif. (June 19, 2018) — Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez showcased his skills for the media Tuesday at Hill Street Boxing Gym to finalize preparations for his nationally televised bout, June 30 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.

In the main event, Ramirez (37-0, 25 KOs) will defend the WBO super middleweight title against unbeaten Colombian challenger Alexis Angulo (23-0, 20 KOs).

Ramirez-Angulo will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 9 p.m. ET.

Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez On Alexis Angulo:

“We’ve seen a couple of tapes. He’s a big puncher. He has a good record, and I have been preparing very hard for him. I’ve been doing a lot of sparring with different guys, and I’m ready to put on a great performance for Oklahoma City and the people watching on ESPN.”

“He’a dangerous fighter because we don’t know what he brings. Like I said, I prepared really well for this fight. We don’t know what kind of strategy he brings to the ring, so we’re preparing with different styles.”

On the super middleweight division

“I am looking for unification fights. That’s what I want. But first things first. We have a tough fight with Angulo, and after that, we are looking at any of those fighters. Let’s do it. Let’s make it happen.”

On being active after a long layoff

“For me, being more active is helpful. I like fighting three or four times a year. It makes me feel good and motivated. If you don’t fight enough, it hurts you in the ring.”

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook:facebook.com/trboxin, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes;Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo, @ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtags #ZurdoAngulo and #SaucedoZappavigna to join the conversation on social media.

Photo by Mikey Williams

By Miguel Maravilla –

Undefeated WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “El Zurdo” Ramirez (33-0, 24 KOs) of Mazatlan, Mexico is set to make the first defense of his title when he takes on Dominik Britsch (32-1-1, 11 KOs) of Germany on July 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas live on HBO PPV. “I’m happy to be defending my title. I know nothing about my opponent, all I know is that I am training really hard for this fight,” Ramirez told Fightnews.com®.

After winning the title this past April, Ramirez went back to train in his hometown of Mazatlan, then resumed his camp in Southern California working with his longtime team of Jesus and Hector Zapari in preparation for the German challenger.

“I am training here in the area in Long Beach for this fight,” Ramirez said. “This preparation will be like every other. Training really hard to be ready for what my opponent has.”

Britsch, a relative unknown, has only fought twice in the U.S. Winning by TKO over Matt Berkshire in Detroit back in March of 2010 and by knockout over Delray Raines in 2011 in Carson, California. He’s coming off a unanimous decision over Slavisa Simeunovic this past February in Germany.

“It is a hard fight since I know nothing about my opponent. Sometimes those are the most dangerous opponents. You don’t know what to expect from them,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez defeated the hard-punching Arthur Abraham this past April to win the WBO super middleweight title co-headlining the Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley card on what was billed as the “No Trump” Undercard.

“I was so happy to accomplish my life long dream. I beat a solid champion in Arthur Abraham,” Ramirez said. “When I returned home I was greeted by fans and media at the airport. I was very happy and excited, it was the first time I was welcomed at the airport.”

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum is no fan of Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump, who has made disparaging remarks toward Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. Arum has promoted many Hispanic fighters over the years who have produced great fights. To show his support for the Latino community, Arum has featured Ramirez on two pay-per-view telecasts and is planning another card for the fall to further send his political message.

Ramirez gave us his thoughts on Trump’s comments and agenda. “We the Mexican people are always working hard and Donald Trump makes some comments that are insulting, but we have proven that we work hard in life to achieve our goals and make a living,” Ramirez said.

Should he get past Britsch as expected, Ramirez is taking aim at the other 168lb champions. “There are other champions in this division. Badou Jack, Felix Sturm, James De Gale, I would definitely want to unify a title with them. Hopefully they are willing to as well,” Ramirez said. A clash with WBA/IBF/WBC middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin is also a possibility.

Ramirez vs. Britsch will be a scheduled 12 round championship bout for Ramirez’s WBO super middleweight title. It will be the co-feature bout to the Terrance Crawford vs. Viktor Postol jr welterweight unification bout.

“We are going to give it and leave it all in the ring to defend this title,” Ramirez vowed.

www.fightnews.com/Boxing/gilberto-ramirez-gearing-up-for-first-title-defense-341168