Chris Billam-Smith beaten by Gilberto Ramirez to miss out on cruiserweight unification

Gilberto Ramirez delivered an impressive performance against Chris Billam-Smith, clinching the unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight world titles in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.

The Mexican fighter displayed incredible speed and precision, overcoming the challenge posed by Billam-Smith in a high-octane main event. He secured victory with scores of 116-112, 116-112, and 116-113 from the judges.

With this win, Ramirez improves his record to 47 wins and just 1 loss, with that sole defeat being to Dimitry Bivol. On the other hand, Billam-Smith's record now stands at 20 wins and 2 losses after losing this match, despite coming off a successful title defense against Richard Riakporhe in June.

Ramirez's quickness and sense of timing were crucial as he skillfully outsmarted Billam-Smith, constantly adjusting his angles to accurately hit his target throughout the match.

In the closing moments of a tough match, Billam-Smith kept pushing forward as both fighters courageously exchanged blows until the end. However, he was unable to overcome the lead that Ramirez had established earlier in the fight.

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"I’m feeling fantastic… I’ve become a champion in three different weight classes," Ramirez expressed. "I trained hard for a challenging opponent. My team and I knew he would be tough because he’s a strong fighter and a champion. It was a privilege for me to win the belt."

Ramirez never hid his ambition to go for the knockout, especially after people questioned his strength when he moved up from super middleweight. Now, he can focus on an exciting potential fight against IBF world champion Jai Opetaia.

"It's somewhat ironic. My initials are CBS, and I often say that consistency leads to success. I believe it was 'Zurdo's' consistency that gave him the victory. I have a lot of respect for him," Billam-Smith stated.

"I have a lot of respect for him; I've felt that way for a long time."

"He played exceptionally well; he consistently made his shots, hitting three-pointers and other long-range shots. He kept moving around, and I believe I struggled to keep up with him and allowed him too many open opportunities."

Billam-Smith showcased his strength right from the first round, confidently using his lead right hand to force Ramirez to backpedal as he struggled to avoid the British fighter's counterattacks.

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Ramirez came out strong in the second round, taking advantage of an opportunity with a powerful left punch and delivering some precise strikes along the ropes. However, he briefly put himself in a vulnerable position and got hit with a hard right hook from Billam-Smith. Just before the round ended, Ramirez managed to land a left hook of his own, making for an exciting start to the round.

In the third round, the Mexican landed a precise right hand that jolted Billam-Smith's head back. He followed it up with a quick three-punch combo near the ropes and delivered a powerful left hook. However, he soon took a hard uppercut in return as both fighters kept trading blows.

Ramirez aimed to be aggressive from the start, which was a key factor in Billam-Smith's defeat. He effectively took advantage of a moment when his opponent lowered his defense, landing another powerful left hook as a result.

In an exciting fourth round, Billam-Smith's resilience was really tested when Ramirez landed a powerful right hand that knocked him off balance for a moment. Ramirez's precision and timing were causing ongoing issues, leading trainer Shane McGuigan to encourage his fighter to take control and put pressure on his opponent.

Ramirez's quick hands kept causing issues for Billam-Smith as he targeted a cut above his opponent's left eye. Meanwhile, Billam-Smith was demonstrating his famous resilience, absorbing a series of solid punches without backing down.

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Billam-Smith would not back down, even with blood seeping from his eye. Ramirez, on the other hand, kept the pressure on, effectively mixing up his head and body punches while demonstrating his readiness to engage closely with his opponent.

In the eighth round, Ramirez started throwing combinations again, but Billam-Smith held his ground and landed a series of right hooks just as his opponent was catching his breath at the end of the round.

As Billam-Smith moved in, Ramirez fired back with a perfectly timed jab, leaving no doubt it would land, while both fighters caught their breath as they headed back to their corners.

In a wild final round, both fighters exchanged punches in rapid succession, with Ramirez pushing Billam-Smith into the corner and unleashing a barrage of blows to try to seal the victory. As they kept trading hits, the Mexican fans in the audience were already cheering, excitedly expecting Ramirez to come out on top.

With just 30 seconds left on the clock, Billam-Smith sent Ramirez crashing into the ropes. Their fists were flying wildly as they both kept up the intense pace right up until the final bell. When it rang, they collapsed into each other's arms, acknowledging the excitement of their fierce battle.

Catch the IBF welterweight champion Natasha Jonas facing off against WBC titleholder Ivana Habazin at the Liverpool Exhibition Centre on December 14. Tune in live on Sky Sports!