Undefeated former WBO super middleweight world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) hosted a special Los Angeles media roundtable at the Golden Boy offices to discuss his upcoming 12-night championship bout. rounds against also undefeated Dmitry Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) for the WBA light heavyweight world title on Saturday, November 5 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The fight will be broadcast live globally on DAZN.
In addition to Zurdo, Los Angeles fan favorite and former IBF super featherweight title holder Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, Jr. (32-2-1, 15 KOs) and undefeated and rising star of the lightweight division William “El Camarón” Zepeda (26-0, 23 KOs) discussed his upcoming 12-round crossroads fight taking place at Pechanga Arena San Diego on Saturday, October 29 on DAZN.
Alexis “Lex” Rocha (20-1, 13 KOs), who will be on the Diaz, Jr. vs. Zepeda, also participated in the media roundtable and will face a soon to be announced opponent in a 10-round welterweight bout to defend his NABO title.
This is what the fighters had to say:
JOSE “JOJO” DIAZ, JR. – FORMER IBF SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION: “I am very excited because I know that William Zepeda is a young and hungry fighter who is 26-0, with 23 knockouts and I know that he will try to give it his all.
“This fight represents everything for my career right now. I’m coming off a loss against Devin Haney. Unfortunately, the fight did not turn out as expected.
“I am ready to show everyone why I am considered one of the best fighters in the world.
“I think William Zepeda is a one-dimensional fighter who is going to apply a lot of pressure. If he thinks I’m going to be the type of person to back off and walk away from any kind of smoke, he’s got me. [expletive] up. I’m going to be there shooting so much and he’s shooting.
“On October 29, it will be the living dog. I’m going to be the living dog. But I will be victorious.”
WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA – LIGHTWEIGHT CONTESTANT: “I am very excited and very happy to be able to participate in a fight where a great fighter fights another great fighter.
“If I get the win against JoJo, this would be a great way for people to get to know me – a great win against a great rival who used to be world champion. They will know that “El Camarón” is the best.
“JoJo is an aggressive and dangerous fighter with experience. But I will continue to prepare and train hard. This split is very attractive and stacked. We all know that we all have talent.”
ALEXIS “LEX” ROCHA – NABO WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION: “I am very honored and grateful for the Mexican-American fan base that supports me.
“This is what I wanted all my life; the fans, the people and the public is what he wanted. All those years of grinding since I was twelve. I gave up so much and scarified so much.
“People can say anything about Santa Ana, but if you go to the diamond of the land, there are workers out there, people like me, for example. We’re trying to get out there and put our city on the map. It is a privilege to be from Santa Ana.
“Boxing helped me get out of danger. He dated the wrong guys at school and he knew if he went out with them at night he wouldn’t get anywhere. Boxing definitely saved me.”
GILBERTO “ZURDO” RAMÍREZ – UNDEFEATED, FORMER WBO SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION:
“I am very grateful to be able to take this fight against Bivol, especially since I am so ready for this. The whole world will see Zurdo Ramírez and all the potential I have.
“At the end of the day, it’ll just be me, him [Dmitry Bivol] and the referee inside the ring. Nobody can help him once he is in the ring with me.
“The hardest fight one has is the fight against oneself. Getting up and staying focused, not only in boxing but also in life.”
Diaz, Jr. vs. Zepeda is a 12 round fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The fight will take place on Saturday, October 29 and will be broadcast live exclusively on DAZN globally. The event is sponsored by Hennessy’s “Never Stop. Never Settle” and “BetOnline: Your Online Sports Betting Experts”.
Tickets for Diaz, Jr. vs. Zepeda are for sale and are priced at $125, $80, $60, $40 and $25 excluding applicable service charges. Tickets will be available for purchase at AXS.com, PechangaArenaSD.com and GoldenBoyPromotions.com.
