from Boxing news – 17.01.2025 – Comments WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) has been ordered by the WBA to defend against his mandatory Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs) in his next fight. The Cuban-born Dorticos, 38, has fought just three times in the past four years, defeating obscure low-level opposition to earn the mandatory World Boxing Association berth. It's not ideal for a fighter to grab the #1 spot, but the heavyweight division is devoid of talent. Dorticos is one of the few good fighters in this division and he is not young. Unification was delayed Ramirez plans to unify against the IBF heavyweight champion Jai Opettaya should be put on hold. He will have to wait until he gets this fight against Dorticos out of the way. Of course, there's always the possibility of a discount deal if Ramirez's Golden Boy promoters want to go that route. It's a shame the IBF doesn't use former WBA champion Arsen Ghulamiryan as a mandatory, but that would also make sense given that Ramirez defeated him last year on March 30 via a 12-round unanimous decision. Still, that would be infinitely better than fighting an inactive Dorticos. Click here to subscribe to our FREE newsletter Related News: Boxing News 24 » Gilberto Ramirez left with an uninspiring tenure: Dorticos a step back for the division Last updated on 01/17/2025
