Boxing News Boxing News
Undefeated Mexican knockout artist and No. 1 world-rated super middleweight contender Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will risk his upcoming world title shot in a 10-round WBO International / NABF super middleweight title defense against Gevorg Khatchikian, of the Netherlands, making his U.S. debut, Friday, November 20, at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Ramirez vs. Khatchikian will be televised live on the Friday Night Knockout on truTV at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The telecast will open with a 10-round junior lightweight rumble between once-beaten Ivan “Bam Bam” Najera of San Antonio and unbeaten Saul “Kid Dynamite” Rodriguez, of Riverside, Calif.. The live boxing series is presented by truTV and Top Rank and produced in association with HBO Sports.
These young warriors boast a combined record of 88-2 (55 KOs), a winning ratio of 98 percent with close to 2/3 of those victories coming by way of knockout
“This is the second time that I have fought in Las Vegas. When I was younger I dreamed of fighting in Las Vegas because it was the boxing capital of the world where the best events took place,” said Ramirez. “November 20th is a memorable date for Mexico. I am dedicating this fight to all Mexicans. I have been training more than a month because this fight is so important.
“I’ve been promised a world championship fight if I win this one, so I am preparing like this is a world championship fight. It is do or die for me and my career to win and to have the opportunity to make history by becoming the first Mexican to win a super middleweight world title in this division.”
“I am going to the U.S. to be recognized as an elite fighter,” said Khatchikian. “My opponent Gilberto Ramírez is a quality fighter, but I promise I will put on the performance of my life and beat him. On November 20th, the world will know who Gevorg Khatchikian is.”
“I know I have a very talented fighter in front of me. I am preparing myself like never before,” said Rodriguez. “I will give all boxing fans a very exciting fight and guarantee those in attendance and those watching on truTV a great performance. I do want to thank Top Rank, Cameron Dunkin, truTV and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for this great opportunity.”
“I’m very excited to be back in the ring, especially in Las Vegas, against another undefeated opponent,” said Najera. I am ready to take my place back after the loss with Felix Verdejo. And, I’m very happy it will be on truTV, which gives my family and everyone that can’t make it to The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas a chance to watch it.”
“Saul and our team are taking this fight very seriously. I know Najera is a very dedicated fighter with tremendous skills,” said Rodriguez’s trainer Robert Garcia. “We want to thank Top Rank and Cameron Dunkin for this opportunity. We want to show the world that Saul Rodriguez is a future world champion.”
“Gilberto gets better and better with each outing,” said Carl Moretti, vice president of Top Rank. “We expect a great challenge from Gevorg Gilberto will have to be at his best to beat him and secure his long-awaited title shot in the early part of 2016. Najera vs. Rodriguez is one of those can’t miss matchups.
“We’ve seen what Najara is all about with his battle last June against Verdejo. Saul is an excellent puncher but will need more than that competing at the next level, which this showdown truly is. Fight fans attending at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas or watching at home on truTV are in for a great night of action, kicking off an exciting weekend of world class boxing.”
Promoted by Top Rank and Zapari Boxing Promotions, tickets to the Ramirez-Khatchikian championship boxing event go on sale this Friday, October 16, at 10:00 a.m. PT. Priced at $100, $85, $75, $50 and $40, tickets will be available for purchase at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 and www.ticketmaster.com.
