Dmitry Bivol vs. Gilberto Ramírez: Skills vs. Power

When Dmitry Bivol, the WBA champion at 175 pounds, faces Mexican challenger Gilberto Ramírez on November 5^th, two completely opposite fighting styles will be put to the test in the ring at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Among his arsenal, Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) has an effective jab, knows how to exert pressure when the moment calls for it and also counterattacks with exquisite precision, as evidenced in his recent unanimous victory against Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez on May 7^th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

And despite his height (1.83 meters / 6 ft), thirty-one-year-old Bivol exhibits speed of both torso and legs to avoid his opponent’s attacks. He is also a heavy puncher, which can be attested to by the fact that 11 of his 21 wins have come by knockout.

Also undefeated, “Zurdo” Ramírez (44-0, 30 KOs) is a powerful fighter who little by little breaks down the resistance of his opponents until he gets the knockout. In the five fights he has fought in the light heavyweight division, he has won by knockout, the most recent being a 4^th round KO in May against German Dominic Boesel.

Ramírez is a little over 2 inches taller than Bivol. His main problem is his lack of speed. His slow movements are a factor that Bivol will surely take advantage of, keeping in constant motion to avoid a possible devastating punch landing from the Mexican.

Likewise, Ramírez is finding it increasingly difficult to make weight in this division. Proof of this was his fight against Boesel (32-3, 12 KOs) where he gained almost 30 pounds after the official weigh-in.

To make weight at 175 pounds, Ramírez has to make great sacrifices throughout the preparation phase and that may be one of the reasons for his excessive slowness in combat. “Yeah, I am [in tremendous shape], and I’ve been training hard like always, and I think it’s the best training camp so far,” said Ramírez. Regardless of what happens in the fight against Bivol, everything indicates that Ramírez will need to move up to cruiserweight in the not-too-distant future.

Ramírez vacated his super middleweight WBO belt in 2018 and had to wait four long years to be considered for a title fight again. He is now eager to get in the ring against the man who last May surprised the boxing world with an overwhelming victory over Canelo, whom many consider to be the top pound-for-pound fighter.

“I’m 175 pounds naturally, and I’m bigger than him, stronger, and everyone will see on November 5^th,” said Ramirez. “I’m sorry for him because he has a big storm coming, and it will take everything. We’re going to war always. Every fight is important to me, but this one is really important because I have the [WBA 175 pound] title on the line. That’s what I’m looking for, and my hand will be raised that night.”

Born in Tokmak, Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic, and now residing in Indio, California, Bivol has expressed in several interviews that his competitive level increases when he faces a boxer who forces him to show his best, as was the case with his triumph over Canelo Álvarez.

Although Bivol’s critics insist that he lacks power in his punches, it is undeniable that Bivol is a stylist, who possesses speed, technical mastery and intelligence and, in addition, is capable of knocking out his opponents thanks to his effective attack methods which cause gradual destruction. Also, the speed of Bivol’s movements has prevented him from being a victim of the strong impacts of the 175-pound contenders.

Champion in 2012 and 2014 in the amateur championships in Russia in the light heavyweight division, Bivol began his career in professional boxing in November of 2014 with a knockout in the sixth round against the retired Uruguayan Jorge “La Perla Negra” Rodríguez.

From there, he had another five wins by KO. The streak was stopped with a couple of wins by unanimous decision, which was followed by another five wins by KO. In his last seven fights, he has come out with his arm raised by unanimous decisions, the most recent being his victory over Canelo Álvarez.

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