Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez is underrated

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by PopPellegrino, Apr 21, 2026.


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  1. PopPellegrino

    PopPellegrino Active Member Full Member

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    Gilberto Ramirez is a versatile southpaw with great footwork, solid head movement, strong bodywork, a sharp counter left hand, and the ability to change levels. He can fight well on the back foot and has respectable power at every division he’s competed in. His only loss is to Bivol, who is an elite light-heavyweight, and he was competitive at times (1st half of the fight), even outboxing Bivol in spots. In my opinion, he beats Benavidez, who shouldn’t really be at cruiserweight. If he wins, I want him with Opetaia next, which is a 50/50 fight in my opinion.
     
    PopPellegrino, Apr 21, 2026
    PopPellegrino, Apr 21, 2026
    #1
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  2. peter_uk

    peter_uk Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I wouldn't say he outboxed Bivol to much an extent, but otherwise I agree with you. I cannot see how Benavidez is such a strong favourite over him, in my mind it is a even fight with the balance of probability falling toward Zurdo. Opetaia vs Zurdo is not dissimilar, but I would put the balance of probability in Jai's favour.
     
    peter_uk, Apr 21, 2026
    peter_uk, Apr 21, 2026
    #2
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  3. MetalLicker

    MetalLicker I Am Full Member

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    I wonder how Benevidez's speed will hold up with an extra 25 lbs. We already know Zurdo can carry the weight, because he was just so big at 175.

    The odds are quite wide in this fight and I don't think Ramirez is getting a fair shake here.
     
    MetalLicker, Apr 21, 2026
    MetalLicker, Apr 21, 2026
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  4. PopPellegrino

    PopPellegrino Active Member Full Member

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    He even looks big for cruiserweight, bigger than CBS, for example.
     
    PopPellegrino, Apr 21, 2026
    PopPellegrino, Apr 21, 2026
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  5. gollumsluvslave

    gollumsluvslave Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Zurdo has cement blocks for feet and that's why Bivol made it look easy and why Benavidez will win too
     
    gollumsluvslave, Apr 21, 2026
    gollumsluvslave, Apr 21, 2026
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  6. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I think Zurdo is 50/50 at best with Benavidez and would be a significant underdog against Opetaia.
     
    Greg Price99, Apr 21, 2026
    Greg Price99, Apr 21, 2026
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  7. PopPellegrino

    PopPellegrino Active Member Full Member

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    He simply doesn’t have "cement blocks for feet". His footwork isn’t the fastest, but he uses his footwork intelligently and can pivot nicely.
     
    PopPellegrino, Apr 21, 2026
    PopPellegrino, Apr 21, 2026
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  8. PopPellegrino

    PopPellegrino Active Member Full Member

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    I’d probably favor Opetaia because he’s a natural cruiserweight. That said, it’s still a competitive fight, and I think a lot of his fans overrate him. Part of that comes from how he’s been treated in the cruiserweight division, which is fair enough, but it reminds me of GGG fans who treated him as unbeatable at middleweight. In reality, when both stepped up, their fights were very competitive, with GGG arguably losing/having close fights at the top level. Opetaia is active, even if the competition hasn’t always been great, but if he consistently fought at a higher level, I think we’d start to see more of his flaws.
     
    PopPellegrino, Apr 21, 2026
    PopPellegrino, Apr 21, 2026
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  9. Pepsi Dioxide

    Pepsi Dioxide Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Whenever I see him I just think "yea everything he does is B grade"which is good enough to get past most guys. He just never popped out as elite, does everything rather well, nothing extraordinary.

    Also for someone with a 48-1 record, it sure is thin on impressive wins.
     
    Pepsi Dioxide, Apr 21, 2026
    Pepsi Dioxide, Apr 21, 2026
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  10. PopPellegrino

    PopPellegrino Active Member Full Member

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    Fair, but his resume is quite thin, but his run at cruiserweight is certainly the most impressive. Also, his "B level" at everything is why I believe he is underrated. He is a super well rounded guy who has a couple of great abilities, like his counter left and his ability to level change well.
     
    PopPellegrino, Apr 21, 2026
    PopPellegrino, Apr 21, 2026
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  11. Wizbit1013

    Wizbit1013 Drama go, and don't come back Full Member

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    That's true
     
    Wizbit1013, Apr 21, 2026
    Wizbit1013, Apr 21, 2026
    #11
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  12. Bigplatts

    Bigplatts Member Full Member

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    He’s got some great fundamentals, plus seems to have a good gas tank and takes a good punch. Not an easy night for anyone. People seem to have written him off against Benavidez but I have a feeling Zurdo will pull off the win. Maybe start to outbox his man after a rough first few rounds.
     
    Bigplatts, Apr 21, 2026
    Bigplatts, Apr 21, 2026
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  13. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I think Benavidez is on another level, but Zurdo is no joke. He’s good… at everything. Not great in any particular category, but all around world class good. In the aggregate, that actually makes him damn good because there’s no weakness.

    plus he always looks huge and fit regardless of weight class.
     
    Barrf, Apr 21, 2026
    Barrf, Apr 21, 2026
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  14. Macedoine62

    Macedoine62 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    After Masamichi Yabuki / Pedro Taduran he is probably the most underrated champion of the moment
     
    Macedoine62, Apr 21, 2026
    Macedoine62, Apr 21, 2026
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  15. lobk

    lobk Original ESB Member

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    The guy is a heavyweight that has the ability to sweat down to as low as light heavyweight is underrated? I think what you mean is he is fundamentally a sound boxer but he is not an underrated boxer. He is good ( due to the huge size advantage) but nothing great
     
    lobk, Apr 21, 2026
    lobk, Apr 21, 2026
    #15
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