Home Bet on Boxing Dmitry Bivol vs Gilberto Ramirez – Big Fight Preview & Predictions

Dmitry Bivol vs Gilberto Ramirez – Big Fight Preview & Predictions

Bivol battles Ramirez in world title clash in Abu Dhabi

Dmitry Bivol defends his WBA 'super' light heavyweight title against Gilberto Ramirez in Abu Dhabi on Saturday Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing
Dmitry Bivol defends his WBA 'super' light heavyweight title against Gilberto Ramirez in Abu Dhabi on Saturday Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing

Matchroom promote a bill at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi this Saturday evening, and in the main event, Dmitry Bivol puts his WBA ‘super’ light heavyweight title on the line against the dangerous, unbeaten Mexican, Gilberto Ramirez.

DAZN broadcast Bivol vs Ramirez live.

Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) has seen his star on the rise in recent times, and he is coming off a career-best win last time out, scoring an upset win over mythical pound-for-pound king, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

An accomplished amateur, the 31-year-old became WBA interim champion in only his seventh contest, and was full champion after two defences, knocking out Trent Broadhurst inside a round for the big belt in 2017.

After five more wins, he was upgraded to ‘super’ champion status, and was pushed hard by Craig Richards before taking a close points win in May last year.

Bivol overcame Canelo in May Photo Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
Bivol overcame Canelo in May Photo Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom

Following a more routine points victory in his native Russia against Umar Salamov, he was selected by Alvarez in May, and was a firm underdog, but he defied the doubters, taking an impressive unanimous decision win and a rematch with the Mexican great could await him if he is successful on Saturday.

He now faces former world champion, Ramirez (44-0, KO30), who looks to become a two-weight world champion.

‘Zurdo’ became WBO super middleweight champion in 2016 with a rout of Arthur Abraham, and made five defences against largely underwhelming opposition, before moving up to light heavyweight, a weight he has resided at since 2019.

Ramirez attempts to become a two-weight world champion on November 5 Photo Credit: Tom Hogan/Golden Boy
Ramirez attempts to become a two-weight world champion on November 5 Photo Credit: Tom Hogan/Golden Boy

The 31-year-old has won all five of his contests at 175 pounds inside schedule, but the level of opposition has again been unsatisfactory.

His last outing was in May, halting Dominic Boesel in four rounds.

Prediction: Bivol confounded a lot of critics by beating Canelo, and he will be full of confidence going into this one. I feel he will be too strong for Ramirez, and too big a test, and I expect Bivol to win handily on the cards.

Cameron clashes with McCaskill

Chantelle Cameron dares for greatness, as she looks to become undisputed world super lightweight champion.

The Northampton native, who owns the WBC and IBF crowns, meets Jessica McCaskill, who comes down from welterweight, where she reigned as undisputed queen.

The vacant WBA, WBO and IBO titles are also at stake here.

Cameron looks to add to her two world title belts Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Cameron looks to add to her two world title belts Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Cameron (16-0, 8 KOs) has been impressive to date, becoming WBC champion in 2020, and unifying with a wide points win against Mary McGee last October to add the IBF bauble.

She last defended in May, winning every frame against Victoria Noelia Bustos.

McCaskill (12-2, 5 KOs) held WBC and WBA belts at ten stone, but came of age in August 2020, sensationally becoming undisputed welterweight champion with a majority decision win against Cecilia Braekhus, and she backed that up in a rematch, winning handily on the cards.

McCaskill aims to become a two-weight undisputed champion Photo Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom
McCaskill aims to become a two-weight undisputed champion Photo Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

Two further defences followed, her last a third round win against Alma Ibarra in June.

Prediction: This could well be the fight of the night, and Cameron will need to be switched on and at her best to prevail. I expect her to be crowned undisputed champion, but it could be a razor-thin points win.

Barrett battles Rakhimov for IBF crown

The third and final world title bout is at super featherweight, where the vacant IBF crown is on offer for either Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov or Manchester’s Zelfa Barrett.

Rakhimov (16-0-1, 13 KOs) was due to face then-champion, Joe Cordina, but the Welshman was ruled out and stripped due to injury, but will get a shot at the winner.

The Tajikistan native has challenged for the belt once before, held to a draw by Jo Jo Diaz in February last year.

Barrett (28-1, 16 KOs) won an eliminator last year, and was last seen in June, taking the European title from Faroukh Kourbanov on the cards.

Prediction: Rakhimov is a big puncher, and I favour him to score a stoppage here.

Remaining Undercard

Galal Yafai (2-0, 2 KOs) is moving fast as a professional, and the 2020 Olympic Gold medallist can defend his WBC International flyweight title with an inside schedule win over Mexico’s Gohan Rodriguez Garcia (12-1-1, 1 KO). It’s scheduled for ten rounds.

Big brother, and former world champion Kal Yafai (26-1, 15 KOs) returns after nearly three years away after losing his belt to the great Roman Gonzalez in February 2020, and he can come through with a stoppage win against Jerald Paclar (16-5-3, 9 KOs) in a ten rounder at bantamweight.

Aqib Fiaz (9-0) is still without a knockout, and faces Diego Valtierra (6-5-2, 2 KOs), where another points win is likely in their super featherweight contest.

Unbeaten lightweight Campbell Hatton (8-0, 2 KOs) looks to extend his unbeaten streak against an opponent to be confirmed.

Local prospects Fahad Al Bloushi (10-1, 2 KOs), Sutan Al Nuaimi (8-0, 5 KOs) and Majid Al Naqbi (7-0, 4 KOs) all features against opponents to be announced.