This Thursday, at the Montreal Casino and on Punching Grace, interim WBA light heavyweight world champion Albert Ramirez (22-0, 19 KOs) will finally make the first defense of his title against top-10 world contender Lerrone Richards (19-1, 4 KOs).
This is a matchup that has generated a lot of buzz in recent months, especially because it was originally scheduled for last February before Albert Ramirez was rushed to the hospital the day before the fight.
Its significance remains intact, perhaps even greater now considering how the light heavyweight division has evolved over the past few months…
Photo: The Ring Magazine – Albert Ramirez and Lerrone Richards
Read on BoxRec
Throughout the month of May, despite not holding any of the division’s four major titles, Albert Ramirez found himself ranked at the top of the light heavyweight division according to BoxRec.
How is that possible?
Before returning to the ring on May 30 against Michael Effert, current three-belt light heavyweight champion Dmitrii Bivol had been inactive since his February 2025 bout against Artur Beterbiev. He was therefore out of the equation.
Beterbiev as well, for that matter, since he also has not fought since then.
Meanwhile, the remaining champion (WBC), David Benavidez, is now ranked at cruiserweight after becoming unified champion at 200 lbs by stopping ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez on May 2. There is therefore uncertainty surrounding his return to 175 lbs…
So, aside from Bivol, Beterbiev, and Benavidez, Albert Ramirez is already considered by many to be the best light heavyweight in the world.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Albert Ramirez
A victory over Richards could therefore place him in the conversation for a fight with one of those three… Otherwise:
“As long as he doesn’t face one of the three ‘B’s, I’ll see Ramirez beating anyone,” Manny Montreal from Talking Boxing once told me.
Heard at the gym
But Richards should not be underestimated either.
The British boxer made an impression last December at Montreal’s Pound 4 Pound Boxing Club while serving as a sparring partner for Imam Khataev.
Speaking anonymously, a trainer present there told me this:
“He was doing very well against Khataev in the early rounds. Eventually, like most sparring partners, he started to tire and Khataev took over… But with a full training camp, against a Richards in shape, it could be a long night for Ramirez.”
Photo: Tapology – Imam Khataev
Heard on the Punchcast
Speaking of Imam Khataev (11-1, 10 KOs), the NABF light heavyweight champion will headline the co-main event against hard-hitting French boxer Mickael Diallo (21-2-2, 18 KOs), nicknamed “The Catalan Bomber.”
According to some, Imam — not Albert — is actually the heir apparent of the light heavyweight division.
“Because of his stronger Olympic background, what he already showed against David Morrell, and even the fact that he’s 2-3 years younger… I would probably favor him over Ramirez,” Laurent Poulin from Boxingtown Québec once said, notably during his appearance on the Punchcast podcast.
But before that, Khataev must first face Diallo and, although he hits very hard himself and will be the favorite, it’s impossible to underestimate a fighter who knocks opponents out in 86% of his fights…
Photo: Sky Sports – Lerrone Richards
In the pages of Ring Magazine
As for the third of the four championship fights on the eight-bout card, it somewhat came together thanks to Ring Magazine.
We’re talking about Jhon Orobio (17-0, 15 KOs) making the fourth defense of his WBC continental title against American Jonathan Montrel (19-4, 13 KOs).
The story is that Orobio was nominated two years in a row for Ring Magazine’s Prospect of the Year. In 2024, British heavyweight Moses Itauma took home the honors. Then in 2025, popular prospect Emiliano Vargas edged out Orobio.
Since Orobio and Vargas both compete at super lightweight (140 lbs), comparisons are easy to make. So who was Vargas’ last opponent in 2025, the performance that helped him surpass Orobio in the Ring Magazine voting? Jonathan Montrel.
Montrel even went the distance with Vargas, just as he did against Delante ‘Tiger’ Johnson. It will therefore be fascinating to see whether Orobio can dispose of the New Orleans fighter more quickly.
Photo: Vitor Munhoz – Jhon Orobio (left)
In another episode…
The fourth championship fight on the card will feature top-3 lightweight (135 lbs) contender Dzmitry ‘The Wasp’ Asanau (12-0, 6 KOs) against former world champion Roger ‘The Kid’ Gutierrez (29-7-1, 22 KOs).
Current WBC continental and IBF intercontinental champion Asanau is aiming to become the fourth Belarusian fighter to win a world title. On the other side, Gutierrez hopes to pull off the upset and move closer to winning a second world title in a second weight division.
However, Asanau is definitely the fighter to watch. The two-time Olympian, who now trains in Montreal with Samuel Décarie-Drolet, has already been compared to “a Quebec version of Dmitrii Bivol” by Laurent Poulin.
Some may have found that exaggerated, but not talented Quebec boxer Mathieu Germain, who has already sparred with Asanau.
Photo: Vitor Munhoz – Dzmitry ‘The Wasp’ Asanau (left)
“When it comes to skills and technique, Dzmitry is definitely among the best fighters I’ve ever shared the ring with […]. If you want to show a kid how to throw a punch, you show them a video of Dzmitry…”
In short, not to miss the #RamirezRichards, #KhataevDiallo, #OrobioMontrel championships, or to learn the art of boxing by watching #AsanauGutierrez, head to Punchinggrace.com and Mise-o-jeu+ starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday night!
Montreal prospects Avery Martin Duval (15-0-1, 8 KOs), Keven Beausejour (2-0, 2 KOs), and Nickenson Denis (professional debut) will also be in action to kick off the evening, along with Canadian Olympic medalist Wyatt Sanford (6-0, 2 KOs).
