The undercard press conference for the Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley pay-per-view was held today. It’s topped by “King” Arthur Abraham of Berlin, Germany, against undefeated WBO No. 1 super middleweight contender Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez of Mazatlan, Mexico.
The undercard will also feature undefeated No. 1 WBO featherweight contender Oscar Valdez of Nogales, Mexico, vs. Evgeny Gradovich, and Jose Ramirez of Avenal, Calif., risking his undefeated record against Manny Perez of Denver, CO.
These six warriors boast a combined record of 158-16-2 (96 KOs) — a winning percentage of 90% — with a victory by knockout ratio of 61%.
Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with MP Promotions, the Pacquiao vs. Bradley championship event will take place on Saturday, April 9, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.
Remaining Tickets to Pacquiao vs. Bradley are priced at $1,204, $804, $604, $404, $254 and $154, not including applicable service fees. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will also be available for purchase at mgmgrand.com or ticketmaster.com.
“Fighting in Las Vegas on the biggest stage of them all is a dream come true for me, and sharing the spotlight with Manny Pacquiao, a true legend of the ring, makes this opportunity even sweeter,” said Abraham. “I have all the motivation I need including the challenge of a young hungry fighter in Gilberto Ramirez. I respect Ramirez and see him as one of the toughest challenges in my career, but I will not be denied a victory in my U.S. breakout fight, and believe my experience will prove too much for him. I promise to deliver a great fight for the American fans, and with another successful defense of my title I will pave the way for a great pay-per-view event and leave the fans screaming for more!”
“I am very happy to finally get my first opportunity to fight for a world title,” said Gilberto Ramirez. “I have worked very hard to get to this point and will work even harder to win the world championship on April 9. I am going up against a great champion and that is why I will prepare myself like I never have before for a fight.”
“I am happy to fight on April 9, I have a difficult opponent on that night but the plan is to get a win and get myself closer to that world title shot that I hunger for,” said Valdez.
“This is going to be an exciting great battle,” said Gradovich. “Óscar Valdez is a very good fighter and I look forward to getting into the ring against him on such a big card with Manny Pacquiao against Tim Bradley in the main event on April 9.”
“I’m excited and honored and feel blessed for this opportunity for myself and my team on one of boxing’s biggest stages,” said Jose Ramírez. “I will be ready for the fans worldwide and I want thank to my manager Rick Mirigian for getting it done.”
“I am very excited for this opportunity from Top Rank. It’s a dream come true to be able to showcase my abilities on such a main stage,” said Perez. “I promise boxing fans I will be 100% ready for the matchup with Jose. I’m ready to show the world who I am.”
“On April 9 we will be presenting three of the top fighters in the world today engaging in significant bouts. All three are of Mexican origin and represent the future of the sport of boxing.
“Jose Ramírez, a star from the Central Valley in California, will box in his first 10-round bout. He is immensely popular in the Central Valley area and is a tremendous attraction at the gate.
“Óscar Valdez, a two-time Mexican Olympian, is considered to be one of the finest fighters in the world. He is in a crossroads fight against former world champion Evgeny Gradovich which will be a true test.
“Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, the No. 1 super middleweight contender in the world, will fight against long-time champion Arthur Abraham. Gilberto is on a quest to become the first Mexican to win a world championship in this weight division.
“These three fights are all action, complementing the Pacquiao vs Bradley main event which should also be a tremendous battle,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank.
While he wasn’t present at the press conference, Abraham chimed in with this satement:
“This fight is a dream come true for me. I fought in Hollywood, Florida vs. Edison Miranda, against Andre Dirrell in Detroit and vs. Andre Ward in Carson, California. But the flair of a big-time event was missing. I was at Manny’s fight vs. Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand in 2011 and the atmosphere captured my imagination.
Afterwards, it was my wish to one day step into this very ring and on April 9 I will finally get the chance to share the spotlight with the “Pac-Man”. I do not take a win that night for granted, as Gilberto Ramirez is a young upcoming boxer from Mexico, one of the greatest fighting countries. He wants to write history by becoming the first Mexican to win a world championship at super middleweight.
But myself being an Armenian, living and fighting out of Germany, I have two values to fight for: pride and honor. I will go into this fight with the following words on my mind: “Mejor morir de pie que vivir arrodillado!” This is going to be my greatest victory. Thank you! “
