Gilberto Ramirez convincingly beat Chris Billam-Smith to unify the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles in the main event of Saturday's "Latino Night" card presented by the Turki Alalshikh-backed "Riyadh Season."
The scorecards read 116-112, 116-112, and 116-113 in favor of Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs); Uncrowned had it slightly wider at 117-111.
Billam-Smith (20-2, 13 KOs) had a strong opener, connecting with a right hook on Ramirez that seemed to wobble him, but "Zurdo" Ramirez took over from there and had a dominant stretch from the second round to the ninth round. The Mexican displayed a masterclass in power boxing, countering Billam-Smith with thudding hooks from both hands. The Brit couldn't deal with Ramirez's speed, and the weight of the punches had an accumulative effect on Billam-Smith, although not enough to knock him out.
The former WBO cruiserweight champion Billam-Smith finished the fight well, arguably winning two of the last three rounds, but by then it was too late.
Ramirez said post-fight that he will now set his sights on another unification bout and welcomed a fight with Jai Opetaia, the Australian IBF king widely regarded as the best cruiserweight in the world.
In the chief support, Arnold Barboza (31-0, 11 KOs) claimed a decision win over Jose Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs) to retain his No. 1 super lightweight ranking with the WBO and move one step closer to a world title shot.
Rounding out the card, William Zepeda (32-0, 27 KOs) rose from off the canvas to edge Tevin Farmer (33-7-1, 8 KOs) by a split decision and pick up the WBC interim lightweight title, plus Oscar Collazo (11-0, 8 KOs) knocked out Thammanoon Niyomtrong (25-1, 9 KOs) in Round 7 to unify the WBO and WBA minimumweight belts.
Relive all the action with Uncrowned's Gilberto Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith results and live blog below.
Fight Card (12 p.m. ET, DAZN)
WBA/WBO cruiserweight titles: Gilberto Ramirez def. Chris Billam-Smith via unanimous decision (116-112, 116-112, 116-113)
Super Lightweight: Jose Ramirez def. Arnold Barboza Jr. via unanimous decision (97-93, 96-94, 96-94)
Lightweight: William Zepeda def. Tevin Farmer via split decision (95-94, 94-95, 95-94)
WBA/WBO minimumweight titles: Oscar Collazo def. Thammanoon Niyomtrong via 7th-round TKO | Watch KO
Super lightweight: Oscar Duarte def. Botirzhon Akhmedov via unanimous decision (98-92, 97-93, 96-94)
Welterweight: Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Juan Garcia ends in majority draw (58-56, 57-57, 57-57)
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER59 updates
Darshan Desai
Zurdo welcomes Opetaia fight!
In his post-fight interview, Zurdo Ramirez has welcomed a three-belt unification with Australia's Jai Opetaia — the man who is widely considered the division's number one.
Darshan Desai
Ramirez beats Billam-Smith via UD
Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez wins a comprehensive decision (116-112, 116-112, 116-113) over Chris Billam-Smith to unify the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles.
A tremendous performance from the Mexican fighter. Jai Opetaia vs. Zurdo is the fight that we all want to see now!
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith - Round 12
Three-punch combination lands for Billam-Smith. He knows he can't win this fight on points, he is trying until the final bell to get a knockout. Zurdo has plenty left in the tank though and Smith isn't going to be able to get rid of him. Combo lands for Zurdo, followed by a left hand.
10-9 Ramirez. Final score: 117-111 Ramirez.
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith - Round 11
Zurdo lands two left hands on "CBS," a hook then a straight. Billam-Smith connects with a right hand, quickly followed by a 1-2. Tight round.
10-9 Billam-Smith, 107-102 Ramirez.
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith - Round 10
Big body shot from Billam-Smith seemed to have an impact on Zurdo. Zurdo responds with three left hands. Billam-Smith is now the one backing Zurdo up, and he connects with a right hand. That's Billam-Smith's best round since the opener.
10-9 Billam-Smith, 98-92 Ramirez.
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith - Round 9
MASSIVE UPPERCUT from Zurdo and "CBS" is hurt again! Best connect of the fight for Zurdo, but "CBS" just will not quit. Billam-Smith attempts a combination but he tastes a left hand from Zurdo for his troubles.
10-9 Ramirez, 89-82 Ramirez.
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith - Round 8
Billam-Smith is off-balance as Ramirez lands a check left hook. Hard left hand from Ramirez forces "CBS" to cover up. "CBS" fires back with a pair of right hands — the punches don't have the same impact that Zurdo's do.
10-9 Ramirez, 79-73 Ramirez.
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith - Round 7
Ringside physician takes a look at the cut around Billam-Smith's left eye, which was caused by an accidental clash of heads. The fight continues but it's not looking good for Billam-Smith. Zurdo is teeing off with hooks from both hands. Oscar De La Hoya, Ramirez's promoter, says there's one round left until "CBS" is stopped. It's certainly looking that way.
10-9 Ramirez, 69-64 Ramirez.
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith - Round 6
BIG ROUND for Zurdo, he can't miss right now with his power shots! "CBS" looks exhausted and hurt. It started with a combination that clearly affected "CBS." A right uppercut rocked him, and the second half was dominant from Zurdo, who was landing at will.
10-9 Ramirez, 59-55 Ramirez.
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith - Round 5
Another good round for Zurdo Ramirez. He caught Billam-Smith with a short right uppercut at the end of a combination, it was followed by a hard left hand to the body. Zurdo connects the left hand to Billam-Smith's chin in the final few seconds.
10-9 Ramirez, 49-46 Ramirez.
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith - Round 4
Zurdo catches Billam-Smith with a pair of powerful right hooks in the second half of that round. Billam-Smith has to get out of the way of those. "CBS" was rocked by the second hook.
10-9 Ramirez, 39-37 Ramirez.
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith - Round 3
Straight left hand from Zurdo knocks Billam-Smith's head back. Zurdo is having success with the left hand in Round 3. CBS was rocked by a looping left hand at the end of the round.
10-9 Ramirez, 29-28 Ramirez.
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith - Round 2
Much better round for "Zurdo" Ramirez. He caught Billam-Smith with a counter left hand early in the round and followed it up with a right hook a few seconds later. Ramirez landing some decent power shots in the second after a strong opener for Billam-Smith.
10-9 Ramirez, 19-19.
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith - Round 1
Great opening round for Chris Billam-Smith. He landed three right hands in a row, a straight right, right uppercut, and then a right hook — the right hook seemed to have done the damage. Zurdo was hurt there. Billam-Smith ends the round with another right hand, Zurdo trying his left hook.
Main Event Next: Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith
Gilberto Ramirez (46-1, 30 KOs) and Chris Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KOs) go head to head in a cruiserweight unification battle.
"Zurdo" Ramirez won the WBA cruiserweight championship when he beat Arsen Goulamirian on points this past March. The 33-year-old from Mexico is a two-division champion, having previously held the WBO super middleweight title. His only loss is at the hands of Dmitry Bivol.
Billam-Smith pulled off a huge upset over Lawrence Okolie in May 2023 to win the belt. "CBS" retained his title in June with another upset, a wide decision win over Richard Riakporhe in his second title defense.
Darshan Desai
Barboza wants title shot!
Arnold Barboza ranked No. 1 by the WBO, has called for the WBO to mandate him for a title shot in his post-fight interview. The WBO champion is Teofimo Lopez.
Darshan Desai
Barboza beats Ramirez via UD
Arnold Barboza wins a tight unanimous decision (97-93, 96-94, 96-94) over Jose Ramirez to retain his WBO No. 1 position and move one step closer to a world title shot.
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Barboza - Round 10
Barboza flicking the jab and long-range shots, keeping Ramirez off him. Good right hand for Barboza in the middle of a combination.
10-9 Barboza, 97-94 Barboza
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Barboza - Round 9
Neither man landed any clean punches of note in that round. Ramirez is chasing Barboza around the ring, Barboza is trying to counter him but not really landing. Another poor round.
10-9 Barboza, 87-85 Barboza
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Barboza - Round 8
Ramirez is quickening up the feet, trying to cut off the ring with his right hand as Barboza is continually moving to the left. The pair trade right hands.
10-9 Ramirez, 77-76 Barboza
I don't think anybody will be rushing to rewatch this, though. It's been a dull affair for the vast majority of the time.
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Barboza - Round 7
Ramirez having a better stanza, forcing the action more. But Barboza manages to connect with a right hand, getting away from the ropes. Good body combination from Barboza at the end of the seventh.
10-9 Barboza, 68-66 Barboza
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Barboza - Round 6
Strong round for Barboza controlled by his jab. Barboza is also investing in the body, attempting to slow Ramirez down even more. Hard right hand landed for Barboza at the end of the round, his best work in this fight.
10-9 Barboza, 58-57 Barboza
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Barboza - Round 5
Hard right hand for Ramirez, Barboza seems unfazed by it though. Combination from Barboza, nothing landed. Barboza catches Ramirez on the chin with a counter left hook and it is followed by an uppercut shortly after.
10-9 Barboza, 48-48
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Barboza - Round 4
Right hand from Ramirez lands early in the 4th. He is pressuring Barboza and attempting to get him backed up against the ropes. Ramirez is neglecting his feints/jab, therefore Barboza is seeing the attacks coming and getting out of the way of it. Combination from Ramirez to close out the round.
10-9 Ramirez, 39-38 Ramirez
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Barboza - Round 3
A 3-punch combination from Barboza, the left hook at the end of it was the best shot. Ramirez connects with a right hand late, close round.
10-10, 29-29
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Barboza - Round 2
An overhand right from Ramirez connected on the top of Barboza's head, the punch seemed to wobble Barboza momentarily and cause him to lose his balance. Ramirez also doing some bodywork.
10-9 Ramirez, 19-19
Darshan Desai
Ramirez vs. Barboza - Round 1
Quiet opener between Ramirez and Barboza. Ramirez applies the pressure, Barboza utilizing movement and counter-punching. Right hand-left hook from Barboza in the final few seconds were the best connects of the round.
10-9 Barboza
Darshan Desai
Co-feature: Jose Ramirez vs. Arnold Barboza
Former unified light welterweight champion Jose Ramirez (29-1, 18 KOs) battles the WBO's No. 1-ranked contender Arnold Barboza (30-0, 11 KOs) over ten rounds with the winner looking to progress to a title shot.
Darshan Desai
Zepeda waiting for Shakur offer
William Zepeda, via a translator, on a potential fight with Shakur Stevenson: "We're just waiting now, we're waiting with confidence to receive that offer; that firm offer for the opportunity. And we'll take that opportunity obviously."
Darshan Desai
Zepeda beats Farmer via SD
William Zepeda takes a close split decision (95-94 Zepeda, 95-94 Farmer, 95-94 Zepeda) over Tevin Farmer to win the WBC interim lightweight title.
Fantastic action fight. Could be Shakur Stevenson next for Zepeda.
Darshan Desai
Zepeda vs. Farmer - Round 10
Zepeda caught on the chin with a pair of overhand lefts in the first half of the final round. Zepeda is vulnerable to the southpaw left hand, which seems odd to say because of how many southpaws Zepeda has faced. Zepeda finished the tenth strong with combinations, close round.
10-9 Farmer, 96-93 Zepeda
Darshan Desai
Zepeda vs. Farmer - Round 9
Zepeda rocks Farmer with a left hand in the middle of round 9. He is significantly ahead, but this fight looks like it will be going the distance. Farmer is told he needs a knockout in the corner.
10-9 Zepeda, 87-83 Zepeda.
Darshan Desai
Zepeda vs. Farmer - Round 8
Farmer has proven to be the toughest test of Zepeda's career. Zepeda just cannot figure him out, Farmer is not wilting under the pressure in the same way the others have. Zepeda is still more active than Farmer, these rounds are competitive though.
10-9 Zepeda, 77-74 Zepeda
Darshan Desai
Zepeda vs. Farmer - Round 7
Farmer rebounds in the 7th, seems to have caught a second wind. It's Zepeda who has slightly slowed down now. Farmer landing double right hooks, to the head and body.
10-9 Farmer, 67-65 Zepeda
Darshan Desai
Zepeda vs. Farmer - Round 6
Zepeda knocking Farmer's head back with short right hooks to the head and to the body. A bad round for Farmer, who appears to be tiring as we pass the halfway point in this one. Not sure how much longer Farmer can keep the Mexican off him for.
10-9 Zepeda, 58-55 Zepeda
Darshan Desai
Zepeda vs. Farmer - Round 5
Famer catches Zepeda early in round 5 with a big left hand, the same punch which dropped Zepeda in the 4th. Zepeda manages to close the distance though and fight his fight on the inside, big final minute for Zepeda which involved a huge flurry. The right hook from Zepeda lands in the final 30 seconds.
Farmer pushes Zepeda's head back with a left uppercut, right hook combination. Zepeda is in-range and Farmer hits him with the left hand counter, DOWN GOES ZEPEDA!
WOW! Big breakthrough for Farmer in round 4, nobody was expecting a heavy underdog non-puncher like Farmer to drop a beast like Zepeda.
10-8 Farmer, 38-37 Zepeda
Darshan Desai
Zepeda vs. Farmer - Round 3
Zepeda unloaded on Farmer throughout round 3. Zepeda typically averages more than 100 punches in every round, and tonight appears to be no different. Farmer is not going to be able to match the work rate and he isn't able to stop Zepeda from punching.
10-9 Zepeda, 30-27 Zepeda
Darshan Desai
Zepeda vs. Farmer - Round 2
An Overhand left from Farmer connects on Zepeda's chin, looks to be a powerful punch. Farmer has already started to back up and allow Zepeda to control the distance. Zepeda with back-to-back 3 punch combinations landing, a very active final minute seals the round for Zepeda.
10-9 Zepeda, 20-18 Zepeda
Darshan Desai
Zepeda vs. Farmer - Round 1
It's the battle of the southpaws. Farmer choosing to stay in the centre of the ring and within punching range with Zepeda, which could be a dangerous strategy. Zepeda is looking for the right hook as Farmer's left hand is by his chest.
10-9 Zepeda
Darshan Desai
WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez has also arrived at the arena
The live broadcast has confirmed that Dillian Whyte will face Ebenezer Tetteh on Sunday, December 15th in Gibraltar. The bout will stream live on DAZN worldwide.
Darshan Desai
Next: William Zepeda vs. Tevin Farmer
Top lightweight contender William Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) faces Tevin Farmer (33-6-1, 8 KOs) for the WBC interim lightweight title over 10 rounds.
Zepeda is coming off a 3rd-round knockout win over Giovanni Cabrera in July. Farmer dropped a decision to Raymond Muratalla in the same month.
Another right hook from Collazo and DOWN AGAIN is Niyomtrong. The end is near, Collazo is too powerful and too fast for Niyomtrong. A left uppercut sends Niyomtrong to the canvas seconds later, the referee won't bother counting. THIS ONE IS OVER!
Statement performance from Oscar Collazo to beat an undefeated world champion and unify the 105-pound division.
Niyomtrong ROCKS Collazo with a left hook early in round 6. Collazo attempted his right hook and was beaten to the punch by Niyomtrong; a much-needed mini breakthrough for him.
WHAT A RIGHT HOOK from Collazo, and dows goes Niyomtrong. Brilliant turn around from the Puerto Rican after getting stunned earlier in the round.