This Saturday, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will defend his WBA and WBO cruiserweight world titles against Cuban fighter Yuniel Dorticos. The bout is part of the event organized by Most Valuable Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions. Ramirez unified the belts last November in Riyadh, clearly outpointing England’s Chris Billam-Smith. Dorticos, on the other hand, will be aiming to become a world champion for the third time.
Gilberto Ramirez: the final step before the super fights
Many feel that Zurdo is just one step away from landing the kind of fight that could either define his legacy or at least significantly boost his bank account. We’re referring, of course, to a super fight with IBF world champion Jai Opetaia—a clash that would capture global attention and definitively determine the number one cruiserweight in the world.
However, another scenario—less appealing to purists—could emerge: Ramirez has publicly said he would gladly face Jake Paul, should they both win on Saturday. So, if the WBA—no stranger to questionable decisions—were to rank Paul in its top 15, we could see the former YouTuber in a world title fight. Ramirez, naturally, would welcome it for the financial reward.
Yuniel Dorticos: what’s left of his fiery spirit?
In 2019, I had a pleasant chat in Havana with renowned Cuban trainer Carlos Miranda, and he was surprised when I told him that Dorticos had adopted an aggressive, come-forward style as a pro. Miranda remembered him as a cautious, textbook technician from his amateur days. But in the pros, the Cienfuegos native has often let his fiery temperament lead him into brutal wars—even in fights he could have won more safely with a measured approach.
The question now is whether Dorticos—at 39 years old and without a world-class opponent since 2020—still has any of that boldness and intensity left in him.
What will happen? Boxe Punch’s prediction!
They say “power is the last thing to go”, but let’s be honest—that’s a cliché. Not all fighters generate power in the same way, and for those whose strength depends on fast-twitch muscles and explosive hand speed, aging takes a heavy toll.
Dorticos was that kind of fighter: his sharp, accurate punches hurt mostly because of their blinding speed. Though he’s scored three recent stoppage wins, those opponents weren’t known for their toughness, so we can’t draw many conclusions from them.
In his last fight, in June 2024, the “KO Doctor” showed a less sculpted physique than in his prime, and although the bout lasted just one minute, his hand speed looked significantly diminished.
In my opinion, the best version of Dorticos would have posed serious problems for Zurdo Ramirez. The Mexican fights like a wrecking ball at cruiserweight, landing heavy volume to head and body to break down his foes round after round—but he also takes punches and relies heavily on his chin.
A precise, explosive puncher with sharp inside angles would make life tough for Ramirez, punishing every attempt at closing the distance. Still, Dorticos’s age and inactivity make it unlikely that he can contain the champion.
After a few even rounds, I expect Ramirez to shift into high gear, overwhelm his rival with workrate, and wear him down with body shots. The WBA and WBO titleholder’s dominance should grow with time, potentially leading to a stoppage.
Prediction: Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez wins by late-round KO.