Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez won plaudits in 2024 as one of the world’s leading fighters. Having unified the WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles, Ramirez now wants to box IBF champion Jai Opetaia, but first faces Cuba’s Yuniel Dorticos on June 28.

Momentum is on “Zurdo’s” side. 

“It was my best year,” Ramirez told BoxingScene. “It was my best year because I won the two titles and I moved up to cruiserweight and obviously there were the two championship wins.”

He felt beating Bournemouth’s Chris Billam-Smith was better than his victory over Arsen Goulamirian for the WBA belt earlier in the year, and he was impressed with the Englishman’s toughness, resilience, and ability to soak up punishment.

“I mean both [wins were good], but I think Billam-Smith, because I conquered the two world championships and that’s why. Billam-Smith was super tough and he threw a lot of punches and he can take punches, too. I was really surprised by him. He’s a strong guy, but I’m better than him. Obviously I have better skill… but he can hit.”

Billam-Smith said afterwards that of the many things that had impressed him about Ramirez, it was his hand defense and ability to block consecutive blows that most surprised him. 

That has come from hard work and repetition. It has also come from working with lighter, faster fighters who he has had to contain. 

“Well, because I’ve been training for many years and I’ve been even [working with] smaller guys, faster and then that’s why it makes a difference,” the former light heavyweight added. 

“They [established cruiserweights] think like they have an advantage because they’re bigger. They’ve been in this division but it’s no advantage for them. It’s an advantage for me because I’ve been from lower class to moving up in weight and that’s the key – and the experience, too.

“I always want to be on this path and always want to be a great and that’s the way it should be for myself – and I want to conquer another title shot, too. And I’m being kept busy and I keep working.”

It has been some time since a fight between two cruiserweights was recognized as one of the most appealing in the sport, but that is how many see a proposed fight between the Mexican and Australia’s Opetaia. The fighters have met in Saudi Arabia, where Ramirez – who comes from Sinaloa – believes a future fight between them would likely happen.

“I think in Riyadh,” added Zurdo. “I don’t know, if he came here in LA or Vegas or I mean whatever they pay him the most. 

“He’s a great champion and he has the belt. That’s the belt that I want, and I want The Ring magazine belt, too, and that’s the belt that I want and that’s the fight that I want, too. And I think eventually it will happen.”

Of course, the 33-year-old believes he is the best fighter in the division, proving that to himself by dethroning two champions that he is the leader. But he now wants to prove that to everyone. 

He has also watched the WBC situation, which has seen a chaotic period as champion in recess Badou Jack swapped places with champion Noel Mikaelyan, leaving Ryan Rozicki and Yamil Peralta frustrated while they wait to nail down a shot.

“Yeah, I’ve been paying interest on that and I don’t think neither of those guys, they deserve that title, but they have it and I want to fight them too,” Ramirez said. 

There has also been plenty of speculation about what might happen at 200lbs. 

Oleksandr Usyk has expressed an interest in dropping back down to claim his old titles, Dmitry Bivol – who is the only man to defeat Zurdo – has been linked to moving up to face Opetaia previously, and, like Opetaia, Ramirez refuses to rule a move up to heavyweight in his own future, possibly in the next two or three years.

On the possibility of Usyk moving back down, Ramirez, 47-1 (30 KOs), said it is a fight he would like.

“I hear that and that's the fight that I want to,” he said of speculation the Ukrainian might move down, before adding: “I don’t think he’s going to move back. It could be hard for him to cut weight because right now he’s a heavyweight and he doesn’t need to cut weight… The opportunity. Yeah, I want that fight too.” 

Ramirez lists a third fight with Beterbiev, David Benavidez and Callum Smith as possible stumbling blocks for him facing Bivol – who outpointed him in late 2022 – again. 

“I think that they have Benavidez, they have Beterbiev again, they have Callum Smith. I mean, if you want to move up, I would love to fight, I would love to have the rematch,” he said.

First comes Dorticos – “Dr Knockout” – whom Ramirez must beat in order to inch closer to the Opetaia showpiece.

“I don’t know much about him but I’ve been watching him since he fought Murat Gassiev in the tournament [World Boxing Super Series] and I saw a couple of fights of his, and I know he’s ‘Doctor Knockout’ and he’s dangerous.”

It is all the titles, however, that Ramirez wants.

“Making money and getting all the belts,” smiled Ramirez. 

“I mean, that's my main goal to have all the belts, to have my legacy. And that’s what I want, to be a legend one day. I want the legacy.”