If you only looked at the scorecards, you’d think Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez just had a comfortable night at the office in Riyadh. The numbers—116-112, 116-112, and 116-113—tell a story of a clear win. But those of us who actually watched Zurdo Ramirez vs Billam Smith back in November 2024 saw something way more visceral than a math equation. It was a blood-and-guts unification that proved why the cruiserweight division is secretly the most exciting corner of boxing right now.
Honestly, the atmosphere during that "Latino Night" was surreal. You had the Mazatlán legend walking into a desert arena to unify the WBA and WBO belts, while Chris Billam-Smith, the pride of Bournemouth, looked ready to spoil the party with pure English grit.
The Footwork Masterclass Most Fans Missed
Most people talk about the "punishing" nature of the fight. They aren't wrong. Billam-Smith’s left eye was a mess by the middle rounds. But the real reason Ramirez won wasn't just power. It was his feet.
Coming into the fight, Billam-Smith was the bigger man, or at least he looked it. He tried to use that size early on, winning the first round on most observers' cards by staying busy and physical. Then, the "Zurdo de Oro" found his rhythm. By round four, the Mexican southpaw started using these subtle pivots that left Billam-Smith punching at air.
Ramirez wasn't just moving; he was creating angles for a hellacious left hand that eventually opened up that nasty gash on Chris’s eyelid. It’s funny because Billam-Smith actually landed more power punches in the final three rounds—67 to Ramirez’s 35, according to CompuBox. But it didn't matter. The damage was done. Zurdo’s jabs and body work (he landed 13 more body shots) had already sapped the life out of the "Gentleman."
Why the Scorecards Were Kind to CBS
Let’s be real for a second. Some analysts, including the crew at DAZN, had it 118-110 for Ramirez. That feels more accurate to the naked eye. Billam-Smith showed incredible heart, the kind that makes you a local hero in the UK, but he was essentially a punching bag for long stretches of the middle rounds.
The fact that two judges gave Billam-Smith four rounds each feels like a "bravery bonus." He refused to go down. Even when his face was a mask of red and his vision was clearly impaired, he kept marching forward. In the 12th round, both guys just threw logic out the window and started trading hooks in the center of the ring. It was chaotic. It was beautiful. It was exactly what Riyadh Season promised.
The Historic Weight of the Win
With this victory, Ramirez didn't just pick up another strap. He solidified himself as the first Mexican to ever unify titles in the cruiserweight division. Think about that. Mexico has produced legends like Chavez, Canelo, and Barrera, but none of them did it at 200 pounds.
Ramirez’s record now sits at 47-1. That lone loss to Dmitry Bivol at light heavyweight feels like a lifetime ago. Since moving up, he looks rejuvenated. He’s bigger, he’s stronger, and his chin seems to have found a second life at this higher weight.
What’s Next for the Unified King?
The boxing world is already moving on to what’s next, and it’s a name that should give every fight fan chills: Jai Opetaia.
Ramirez is now the man at cruiserweight, but the IBF champion Opetaia is widely considered the boogeyman of the division. If you thought Zurdo Ramirez vs Billam Smith was intense, a clash with the Australian would be a technical chess match played with hammers.
Billam-Smith, meanwhile, has to regroup. At 34, he’s still a top-tier cruiserweight, but he’s taken a lot of punishment in his last few outings. He’s already expressed interest in a fight with David Benavidez if the "Mexican Monster" moves up, which would be another absolute war.
How to Watch the Replay
If you missed the live action, you can still catch the full fight and highlights on DAZN. It's worth it just to see the technical shift between rounds three and six where Ramirez completely took over.
Key Takeaways for Your Next Fight Night
- Watch the Lead Foot: In southpaw vs. orthodox matchups, notice how Ramirez won the battle of the front foot to land his straight left.
- Body Work Wins Unifications: Ramirez's investment in the ribs early in the fight paid dividends when Billam-Smith couldn't find the energy to close the distance in the championship rounds.
- Heart Isn't a Strategy: Billam-Smith’s bravery kept him in the fight, but his lack of head movement against a world-class counter-puncher was his undoing.
To truly understand the current state of the cruiserweight division, your next move should be watching Jai Opetaia’s recent highlights. Comparing his speed to Zurdo's volume is the only way to handicap the inevitable undisputed fight that's coming in late 2026.
