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Gilberto Ramirez Set To Return January 16, Following Shoulder Surgery
Ring Magazine
NEWS
Manouk Akopyan
Manouk Akopyan
RingMagazine.com
Gilberto Ramirez Set To Return January 16, Following Shoulder Surgery
Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez is healthy again and ready to return to the ring.

The WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Ramirez underwent right shoulder surgery in July shortly after defending his titles with a unanimous decision win against Yuniel Dorticos in June.

The Ring has learned Golden Boy Promotions is prepared to give Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) a tune-up fight on January 16. Once an opponent is secured, the fight will take place on the Alexis Rocha-Raul Curiel II undercard at the Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California.


Ramirez will be kicking off training camp Monday at the Brickhouse Boxing Club in North Hollywood, California, with head coach Julian Chua to prepare for the occasion.

A source directly informed of Ramirez's plans told The Ring the 34-year-old southpaw from Mazatlan, Mexico, wants to ensure his shoulder is 100 percent healthy before going on a potential run of title unification fights in 2026.

The Ring and IBF champion Jai Opetaia will defend his titles on December 6 against Huseyin Cinkara, while WBC beltholder Badou Jack rematches Noel Mikaelian the following week on Dec. 13. By fighting in January, Ramirez will be on the same timeline as the other titlists.

Ramirez picked up the WBA title in March 2024 with a unanimous decision win against Arsen Goulamirian in Los Angeles and the WBO title that November with a unanimous decision victory over Chris Billam-Smith in Saudi Arabia.


Ramirez is riding a four-fight winning streak since suffering the lone loss of his career against Dmitry Bivol in 2022.

In recent months, Ramirez has also welcomed light heavyweight champions Bivol and David Benavidez for a clash in the cruiserweight division.

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.
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