Chris Billam-Smith is holding 'very positive' talks with Gilberto Ramirez over a world cruiserweight title unification fight; proposal would see Billam-Smith put his WBO belt at stake against WBA champion Ramirez
Saturday 7 September 2024 13:57, UK
Chris Billam-Smith is edging closer to a world title unification fight against Gilberto Ramirez.
Britain's WBO world cruiserweight champion is negotiating a fight against Mexican Ramirez, who holds the WBA belt, and Sky Sports understands that talks are ongoing but very positive with both camps wanting this fight next.
Billam-Smith recently confirmed to Sky Sports that he was expecting to face Ramirez in November.
"The confirmation is we are in talks for that fight," he said. That at the moment is the only fight we're talking about.
"At the moment we're looking at November. Not entirely sure where yet. We're working on it and it's an exciting unification fight against someone who has only been beaten by (Dmitriy) Bivol.
"It's a very hard test and it would be an honour for me to become unified champion."
Billam-Smith made an impressive defence of his WBO belt in June when he avenged his only loss with a unanimous decision win over Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park in June.
Ramirez has racked up 46 victories on his record, including a points win over Arsen Goulamirian in March, which earned the WBA title.
His only defeat is a unanimous decision loss to Bivol in 2022.
Anthony Joshua's heavyweight showdown with Daniel Dubois takes place on Saturday September 21 live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book Joshua v Dubois now!
