Photo: Vincent Ethier – Albert Ramirez
Top-5 contender from all federations, Albert Ramirez, destroyed Michael Flannery in a matter of minutes with a devastating uppercut. Isaac Chilemba’s replacement opponent was simply too weak for Albert’s current level, and EOTTM knows it very well.
“Albert Ramirez wants to face David Benavidez. With their respective styles, it’ll be a real battle.” – Camille Estephan
It’s clear that the president of Eye of the Tiger is aiming to conquer the 175-pound division: Imam Khataev is targeting David Morrell, and Mehmet Unal wants to take on Joshua Buatsi.
The bosses at Punching Grace asked me to search BoxRec and contact my international sources to prepare what’s next for Albert Ramirez.
The goal: to lead him to David Benavidez, nothing less. Albert even claims he’s the next Artur Beterbiev. So I obliged.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Albert Ramirez
1. Oleksandr Gvozdyk (21-2, 17 KOs)
It’s almost too perfect an option. Christian Mbilli was treated to Sergey Derevyanchenko to take a step forward in his career—the pattern is repeated with another Ukrainian, Gvozdyk. What’s more, he’s well-known in Quebec: he’s the one who ended the career and reign of Adonis Stevenson. And most recently, he delivered a competitive performance against David Benavidez on June 15th.
Interesting fact: it was against Gvozdyk that Artur Beterbiev’s rise really began.
Bonus: He’s ranked No. 3 by the WBC.
The ideal opponent—the WBC would probably agree to make it an eliminator to designate a mandatory contender.
2. Ronald Gavril (26-3, 21 KOs)
This is perhaps the best-kept secret in the division. The Romanian is an excellent boxer, who many believe would have beaten Benavidez in their first fight. Like Gvozdyk, he now lives in California and is ripe for one last run at a title. He has eight consecutive wins and is looking for a high-level fight.
I still remember his counter-attacking left when he knocked Benavidez to the canvas. He’s no softie. It would be risky… but nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Bonus: Ranked No. 13 in the WBC.
3. Ahmed Elbiali (24-1, 19 KOs)
I love it when you can tell a story around a gala. Elbiali, of Egyptian descent, is the son of a billionaire. One day, he wanted to add Jean Pascal to his business card… but was violently arrested. Since then, his career has been somewhat on the back burner. He doesn’t box much, but has an interesting record and a certain visibility.
If Ramirez has to fight again at the Casino de Montréal, it’s my choice. It sells for American television and keeps Albert active. Ahmed likes to be talked about: after a sparring with Canelo, he said on a podcast that Le Roux is lazy and looks older than his age on his baptism table.
4. Richard “Popeye” Rivera (27-2, 20 KOs)
“Popeye” is a spectacular boxer from Connecticut, best known for his highly controversial loss to Badou Jack in 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, he and his promoter Joe DeGuardia failed to capitalize on the wave. (Popeye, the sailor, thank you, thank you.)
He fits in with my philosophy: finding credible, somewhat well-known American opponents to give our guys legitimacy before the big fights. He’s never been on the mat… and he hits hard.
Bonus: Ranked No. 11 in the WBC.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – With ESPN, Top Rank and now Riyadh Season plus The Ring Magazine, EOTTM is starting to build a very powerful team…
5. Malik Zinad (23-1, 17 KOs)
Now that we know EOTTM has a deal with Riyadh Season and Ring Magazine, could we put Ramirez on a Turki card like we did with Khataev? Zinad earned the Saudis’ respect by replacing Beterbiev and facing Bivol. It’s even his only defeat to date. It would be a luxury comparison to compare Ramirez to the king of the division.
In the podcast…
—Mehmet Unal took only one round to knock out an opponent who was probably better, or at least better prepared, than Fannery, so the five names mentioned above can also apply to him…
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Mehmet Unal against Jan Czerklewicz
—Sara Couillard, the Montrealer, will become the first woman to box at Fenway Park. She will face Alexis Bolduc, in front of the famous Green Monster in left field.
—Franchon Crews-Dezurn can thank the only two judges in the world who saw her beat Citlalli Ortiz… seriously, it’s just the two of them.
—Keyshawn Davis completely missed the weight, losing his 135-pound title. Poor Edwin De Los Santos still received his full purse—we salute the promoter’s class.
—The illustrious legend Vasyl Lomachenko has announced his retirement. We’re going to be bored. His good friend Russ Anber was also in the corners of Wyatt Sanford and Albert Ramirez last Thursday.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Jacobo Crismatt, head trainer of Ramirez, with Russ
