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Zurdo Ramirez TKO's Yunieski Gonzalez In 10
The Alamo City was treated to a night of action as
undefeated former world champion, and light heavyweight
sensation Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez (43-0, 29 KOs) of
Mazatlán, Mexico, faced Cuba’s Yunieski "The Monster"
Gonzalez (21-4, 17 KOs) for the WBA Light Heavyweight Title
eliminator. The 12-round event at the AT&T Center in San
Antonio, TX featured a fight card, that entertained the
Texas fight fans with non-stop action, and stellar
performances from some of the most popular fighters in the
sport. As an early holiday gift, Golden Boy donated tickets
to San Antonio’s military and first responders, gifting the
local heroes with the gift of live boxing.
Ramirez and Gonzalez started off their fight aggressively as
Gonzalez launched a surprising attack on Ramirez in the
first round. The round had Ramirez back tracking as he tried
to find some distance and counter the Cuban’s attack.
Ramirez, gained control and pushed back Gonzalez as the bell
signaled the end of the first round. The next rounds Ramirez
learned what to expect and began dictating the pace of the
fight. He launched attacks, that at many time, left
Gonzalez, stunned as he tried to find his feet. In the
fourth round, it almost seemed like Ramirez was going to
finish Gonzalez as he unleashed a flurry of punches that
left Gonzalez wobbly. Gonzalez, was literally saved by the
bell as he unsteadily walked back to his corner. Finally in
the tenth round, Ramirez cornered Gonzalez on the ropes,
unleashing a series of combinations that had no response.
The referee waved the fight off, and Gonzalez hugged the
referee as if he had just saved him from what would have
ultimately happen next if Ramirez had continued.
Now as the winner of the WBA Light Heavyweight Title
eliminator, by TKO, Ramirez is the mandatory to challenger
for the WBA Light Heavyweight World Championship. A fight
Ramirez has been asking for and would like to take on in
2022.
“He is a great fighter. I knew he was going to be tough
because he showed no fear in his eyes,” said Ramirez. “He
had nothing to lose, and I knew he was going to come with
everything he had. Thank you Yunieski for taking the fight.
“I tried to land body shots and he was prepared. So, I had
to change my attacks and focus on hitting him upstairs so I
could get the victory. My hand is a little hurt but that is
the price you pay to win. I am ready for the next challenge,
I want Bivol. He can’t run anymore, I am coming for him,”
continued Ramirez.
“I dedicate this fight to Vicente Fernandez, a great Mexican
legend. I come from Mexico, and he inspired me to live my
dream and I want to show everyone that they can live their
dreams too. There are no barriers besides yourself,”
concluded Ramirez.
“I am really disappointed in myself,” said Gonzalez. “I
always knew Zurdo would be difficult, a tough fighter. But I
expected more from myself. This is not the best performance
from me, I’m going to back work on myself and get better.”
In the co-main event, three-time world champion Seniesa
"Super Bad" Estrada (22-0, 9 KOs) maintained her WBA
Minimumweight World title in a scheduled 10-round fight
against the fierce Maria "La Imparable" Santizo (9-1, 5 KOs)
of Guatemala City, Gua. Both women came to win, as they
quickly exchanged blows as they tried to find each other’s
weaknesses. Estrada, had an easier time connecting and
knocked down Santizo in the second round twice. Visibly
rocked and saved by the bell, Santizo came back in the third
round to try to establish dominance. However, ‘Super Bad’
stopped Santizo quickly on the 1:51 mark of the third round,
winning the fight by knockout.
“I give my performance a ‘C’ today because I was getting too
ahead of myself. I wanted to the knockout too early so I got
caught a few times trying to set it up,” said Estrada. “She
was a tough fighter, she is 9-0 with 5 knock outs for a
reason, so I knew she was coming in to win. But I knew I had
to stop her I just had to be more patient. In 2022 I want to
unify the division with a fight against IBF World Champion
Yokasta Valle from Costa Rica.”
“Honestly I felt super prepared for this fight,” said
Santizo. Seniesa, however, knew how to connect. We fell to
the canvas but I feel good, I think maybe the stoppage was
too anticipated. But I defer to the referee who is there to
protect our health. Now I have to go back to the gym, train
and wait for the next opportunity.”
In the second televised fight of the night, rising super
featherweight contender Lamont Roach, Jr. (22-1-1, 9 KOs)
took on former world champion Rene "Gemelo" Alvarado (32-11,
21 KOs) in a 10-round fight for the vacant NABA Super
Featherweight championship. The fight was equally match as
both fighters came forward and took turns exchanging blows.
There were a few moments where Roach, Jr. landed heavy blows
that rocked Alvarado; but the veteran warrior was strong and
he eagerly returned. The fight went to the score cards with
98-92, 100-90, and 98-92 all in favor of Roach, Jr.
“I feel good about this victory. I just beat a man who was a
world champion two fights ago,” said Roach, Jr. “This is the
type of victory that I need to show that I am ready for a
world title fight. Rene Alvarado is a warrior, a tough guy
who I couldn’t knock down, but I feel we did our job today.
I want the champion next, Roger Gutierrez.”
“I don’t know what to do anymore. The job we did today was
excellent,” said Alvarado. “On my count I believe the fight
was mine. When I heard unanimous decision, I knew that was
right, but when they said Roach, Jr.’s name I couldn’t
believe it. I know I won the fight.”
2012 U.S. Olympic Bronze medal winner and current WBC
Flyweight World Champion Marlen Esparza (11-1, 1 KOs)
defended her world title, for the first time, in her home
state against the seasoned former two-time world champion,
Anabel "Avispa" Ortiz (31-5, 4 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico.
‘Avispa’ proved to be a difficult fight for Esparza, as the
13-time world title defender brought with her experience and
technical ability. Esparza, however, was not intimidated, as
she went after Ortiz and did not back down after Ortiz’
attacks. After an exciting fight, between to veteran
warriors, the score cards ruled in favor of Esparza with
scores of 100-88, 95-94, 99-90 to win the fight via
unanimous decision.
“My performance was good considering I just came back after
contracting Covid-19,” said Esparza. “I wanted to see what
it would feel like to come back and I can say that there is
some fatigue. We knew she was a counter puncher so we were
prepared for it, but I can feel a little of the fatigue. Now
that is all over and I know what it feels to come back, I
want all the belts. I want Naoko Fujioka from Japan and just
unify this division.”
“I think I delivered a great fight, simply the referee did
not favor me,” said Ortiz. “He counted two slips that were
obviously not knockdowns, she pushed me. I am very unhappy
because they put someone in the ring who does not know how
to do his job, especially when this is a world title fight.
It is a disservice to the sport. They took the victory away
from me.”
Leading the fight card on the Golden Boy Fight Night on
Facebook Watch, two undefeated fighters, Victor Morales
(15-0-1, 8KOs), of Vancouver, WA and Rudy Garcia (12-0-1, 2
KOs) of Los Angeles, CA, both put their undefeated records
on the line in an exciting 10-round featherweight fight for
the vacant WBC International Featherweight Title. Both
fighters exchanged equally, both landing heavy shots to the
face and body. Neither fighter backed off, both moved
forward trying to tear down their opponent. The crowd loved
their style as they cheered on both fighters and gave them a
standing ovation at the conclusion of the 10th round.
Ultimately, the judges ruled the fight a draw, with scores
of 96-94, 93-97, 95-95.
“I am really upset with the decision, because I feel like I
won that fight,” said Garcia. “Morales is a good fighter, I
know him from the amateur world, but I think that I pulled
off the victory in the end. I really want the re-match to
prove that I won this fight.”
“I feel like I won the fight. I feel like I broke him down
from the very beginning,” said Morales. “Yes, we got hit. I
got things to work on, but I still feel like I won this
fight. Let’s do the re-match next, let’s run it back and
prove who is the best.”
Luis Hernandez (21-2, 19 KOs) of Chihuahua, Mexico, took on
Ruslan Madiyev (14-2, 5 KOs) of Indio, CA in a scheduled
10-round super lightweight bout. The fight went the distance
as both fighters went back and forth with Madiyev dictating
the pace of the fight. Madiyev, was relentless in his
pursuit of Hernandez, and he delivered powerful blows that
shook Hernandez. But Hernandez wouldn’t go down, he showed a
lot of heart trying to keep Madiyev at bay. The score cards
did not lie, awarding Madiyev the victory by unanimous
decision with scores of 91-99, 92-98, 91-98.
“I had seen past fight footage of Hernandez and I noticed
that he kept his left hand down,” said Madiyev. “So I made
sure to prepare and attack with that right hook, and I kept
catching him. I am very proud of my team for the amazing
preparation, and I can’t wait to come back in the ring and
fight for a title soon.”
Rising welterweight star Raul “Cugar” Curiel (11-0, 9 KOs)
of Tamaulipas, Mexico, was scheduled for a 10-round fight
for the NABF Welterweight Title against San Antonio’s Kendo
Castaneda (17-5, 8 KOs). Curiel, who has been training with
Hall of Fame trainer, Freddy Roach, really demonstrated
intelligence in the ring as he landed heavy shots on
Castaneda knocking him down in the third round. Castaneda,
trained by San Antonio’s boxing star Jesse James Leija,
quickly recovered and aggressively went after Curiel. The
crowd erupted in a cheering war come cheering “Cougar”
others Kendo, as both fighters traded shots. However, Curiel
delivered a devasting blow to Castańeda in the seventh round
winning the fight by knockout.
“I am very happy to be in Texas and to make my first title
defense in front of my family. Castaneda was a strong
opponent, but I am glad we were able to show off all our
hard work and get a victory. This was one of my best
performances and I am so happy to be able to share it with
everyone,” said Curiel.
The second fight of the night featured Zurdo Promotions’
heavy-handed prospect, John “Scrappy” Ramirez (8-0, 7 KOs)
of Los Angeles taking on Miguel Rebullosa (4-13, 5 KOs) of
Coahuila de Zaragosa, Mexico in a 4-round bantamweight
fight. ‘Scrappy’ displayed his skill level in the ring as he
knocked down Rebullosa three times in the second round
winning the fight by TKO at the 2:22 mark of the round.
Opening up the event at the AT&T Center in San Antonio,
“Slick” Nick Sullivan (5-0, 1 KO) of Norfolk, VA, took on
Erick Benitez (2-2, 1 KO) of Guadalajara, Mexico, in a
4-round lightweight event. The fight went the distance as
both prospects often found themselves entangled as they
tried to find their shots. The score cards read 39-37 from
all three judges ruling in favor of Sullivan, winning the
fight by unanimous decision.
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