In an electrifying Latino-themed night, Mexican champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez unified the WBO and WBA middleweight boxing titles after a unanimous decision victory over British opponent Chris Billam-Smith. The much-anticipated Latino Night bout was held at The Venue as part of Riyadh Season 2024.
The event featured a vibrant atmosphere, including mariachi performances and renditions of the Saudi, British, and Mexican national anthems, setting the stage for a historic showdown. The match began with Billam-Smith showing precision in his punches during the first round, overshadowing a slow start by Ramirez.
However, the Mexican fighter found his rhythm in the second round, delivering a flurry of strikes by the third. By the fifth round, an injury above Billam-Smith’s eye weakened his defense, allowing Ramirez to maintain dominance. Despite showing signs of fatigue in the later rounds, Ramirez fended off Billam-Smith’s attacks, securing the victory and solidifying his status as a unified champion.
The undercard matches added to the evening’s excitement, starting with a dramatic draw between Saudi boxer Ziyad Almaayouf and Mexican opponent Juan Garcia in the middleweight division. In the following bout, Mexican fighter Oscar Duarte edged out Uzbekistan’s Botirzhon Akhmedov with a unanimous decision after a tightly contested 12-round battle.
Another standout fight saw Puerto Rican boxer Oscar Collazo unify the WBO and WBA flyweight titles with a technical knockout victory over Thailand’s Thammanoon Niyomtrong in the seventh round. Collazo’s triumph earned him two belts and further cemented his legacy.
Meanwhile, William Zepeda claimed the interim WBC lightweight title with a split-decision win over American Tevin Farmer. Despite being knocked down in the fourth round by a powerful left hand from Farmer, Zepeda made a strong comeback, dominating the later rounds and expressing his readiness post-fight to face Shakur Stevenson.
In another highlight, Arnold Barboza Jr. defeated Jose Ramirez via unanimous decision in a heated super lightweight clash. The intense back-and-forth action kept fans on the edge of their seats, delivering a fitting end to the undercard bouts.
Riyadh’s Latino Night once again showcased its role as a premier destination for international boxing, thrilling fans worldwide with world-class action and unforgettable moments.
