Hospitalized Albert Ramirez Withdraws From His Bout Against Lerrone Richards

A medical issue has forced WBA interim light heavyweight world champion Albert Ramirez to withdraw from his scheduled bout tomorrow at the Casino de Montréal against Lerrone Richards. As a result, Olympian and WBC Continental light heavyweight champion Mehmet Unal will now headline Thursday night’s event against European champion Altin Zogaj.

Despite a flawless training camp and no injuries, Albert Ramirez (22-0, 19 KOs) was hospitalized overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. Although he is still being evaluated by doctors, the medical team suspects a case of appendicitis, which unfortunately renders him unable to compete on Thursday night.

“This is a heartbreaking decision for us, for boxing fans, and especially for Albert, who was absolutely determined to fight despite everything. However, it is our responsibility as promoters to protect the health of our athletes, which is why this was the decision that had to be made,” commented Camille Estephan.

The spotlight will now be on an intriguing clash between two undefeated fighters, light heavyweights Mehmet Unal (14-0, 12 KOs) and European champion Altin Zogaj (17-0, 9 KOs), who will take center stage in the main event.

Representing Turkey at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Mehmet Unal signed with Eye of the Tiger in 2021 as he turned professional. Now residing full-time in Montreal and trained by Marc Ramsay, he will make the second defense of his WBC Continental title against Zogaj. The powerful puncher is currently ranked ninth in the WBC world rankings and will be seeking the biggest victory of his career — in his first-ever main event — against Germany’s Altin Zogaj.

In the cofeature, two-time Olympian Dzmitry Asanau (11–0, 5 KOs) will defend his WBC Continental lightweight title against Spanish champion Carlos Ramos (18–3–1, 10 KOs). Born in Belarus, based in Dubai, and training in Montreal, Asanau has enjoyed a meteoric rise since signing with EOTTM. Climbing the world rankings at breakneck speed, the protégé of Samuel Décarie-Drolet is currently ranked No. 4 by the WBC and No. 11 by the IBF.

Also on the card, Thetford Mines warrior Thomas Chabot (11-1, 7 KOs) will look to return to the win column in a local showdown against Maritime slugger Dominic Babineau (13-2-1, 11 KOs). This bout will be the first 10-round fight of Chabot’s young career and will also mark his debut at featherweight (126 lbs), after recently deciding to move down a weight class.

On the undercard, in the lightweight division, Canadian Olympic medalist Wyatt Sanford (5-0, 2 KOs) will face Alexis Gabriel Camejo (10-5-2, 1 KO) in a scheduled six-round bout. Well known to Quebec fans, Camejo is one of only two fighters to go the distance with highly touted Colombian prospect Jhon Orobio, and he has also gone the distance with Dzmitry Asanau. Montreal prospect and former member of the Canadian national team Keven Beausejour (1-0, 1 KO) will make his Quebec debut against Czech boxer Petr Strnad (4-3-2, 2 KOs). Opening the show, Longueuil’s pride Dante Tice (1-0) will take on Argentine brawler Gonzalo Manriquez (6-7-1) in a four-round bout.

The #UnalZogaj event, taking place on February 5, will be presented to a sold-out crowd. The action will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Casino de Montréal and will be broadcast in its entirety on Punching Grace.

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