Riyadh, November 22, 2024 – In a thrilling conclusion to the Latino Night event at Riyadh Season, Mexican boxer Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez claimed the WBO and WBA super middleweight titles with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Britain’s Chris Billam-Smith. The fight, held at The Venue in Riyadh, was a highly anticipated showdown that delivered an exciting display of boxing skill and determination.
Ramirez, known for his aggressive style and formidable punching power, had a slow start to the contest. Billam-Smith, who employed a defensive strategy in the early rounds, managed to hold his ground against the Mexican challenger. However, as the fight progressed, Ramirez found his rhythm and began to dominate in the later rounds. Billam-Smith sustained an injury above his eye starting from the fifth round, which impaired his ability to defend himself effectively. Despite his best efforts to carry on, the injury compounded his struggles, and Ramirez surged ahead with a commanding performance.
The match ultimately ended in Ramirez's favor with a unanimous decision, although it was clear that Billam-Smith’s resilience had kept the fight competitive until the final bell. With this victory, Ramirez cemented his status as one of the premier boxers in the super middleweight division, further solidifying his legacy in the sport.
The Latino Night event was not only a showcase for Ramirez’s title-winning performance but also featured a packed undercard of exciting matchups. One of the most closely watched bouts saw Saudi Arabia’s Ziyad Almaayouf go toe-to-toe with Mexico’s Juan Garcia. The two fighters fought to an intense draw, with neither able to fully dominate throughout the contest.
In other action, Mexico’s Oscar Duarte emerged victorious with a unanimous decision over Uzbekistan's Botirzhon Akhmedov in a highly competitive lightweight clash. Duarte’s skill and composure in the ring earned him the nod from the judges, securing the win in a tough battle. Meanwhile, Puerto Rican boxer Oscar Collazo stole the show with a spectacular knockout of Thailand’s Thammanoon Niyomtrong, unifying the WBO and WBA featherweight titles in a highly impressive fashion.
In the lightweight division, Mexico's William Zepeda captured the interim WBC lightweight title with a split decision win over American boxer Tevin Farmer. The closely contested match saw Zepeda edge out Farmer in a thrilling back-and-forth exchange that kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout the night. Additionally, Arnold Barboza Jr. of Mexico took the victory over fellow countryman Jose Ramirez in a heated super featherweight bout, further adding to the excitement of the evening.
The Latino Night event at Riyadh Season was a resounding success, not only showcasing the talents of Mexican fighters but also highlighting the growing prominence of boxing in Saudi Arabia. The competition featured some of the best talent in the sport, bringing together a mix of emerging stars and established champions. The event served as another example of Riyadh's expanding role as a global hub for major sporting events, as the Kingdom continues to invest in world-class experiences for both athletes and fans alike.
