GBP and Riyadh Season reportedly planning Nov. show headlined by Zurdo vs Billam-Smith
Jose Ramirez vs Arnold Barboza Jr, William Zepeda vs George Kambosos Jr, and Bektemir Melikuziev vs Lester Martin are on the docket as well
ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez brings word that Golden Boy Promotions and Riyadh Season are gearing up for a November show in Saudi Arabia headlined by a cruiserweight unification between Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and Chris Billam-Smith.
After outgrowing 168 and getting chased out of 175 by Dmitry Bivol, Ramirez (46-1, 30 KO) kicked off his cruiserweight campaign by dominating Joe Smith Jr. That win set up a title shot against the skilled-but-inactive Arsen Goulamirian, whom Ramirez figured out and overpowered down the stretch to claim WBA gold.
Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KO) scored a truly bizarre upset of Lawrence Okolie for the WBO belt last year, and after surviving a walloping from Mateusz Masternak to force an injury stoppage, he avenged his lone career defeat in June with a grinding decision over Richard Riakporhe.
Per Rodriguez, the rest of the lineup includes:
- Jose Ramirez’s and Arnold Barboza Jr’s long-overdue super lightweight grudge match.
- William Zepeda prepping for next year’s planned crack at Shakur Stevenson against George Kambosos Jr. Sorry, John.
- Oscar Duarte welcoming Kenneth Sims Jr back to 140.
- A potentially explosive super middleweight showdown between longtime prospect Bektemir Melikuziev and breakout Guatemalan standout Lester Martinez.
Very strong lineup if they can put everything together. Hoping we get confirmation soon.