CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH and Gilberto Ramirez are all set to put their respective titles on the line tonight – and the action will unfold VERY SOON!
CBS pulled off a sensational 2023 win over two-weight champion Lawrence Okolie to secure the WBO crown.
While Mexican star Ramirez holds the WBA title at 200lbs with only one loss on his record – to light-heavyweight icon Dmitry Bivol.
Both men will be looking to become unified cruiserweight champion as the pair top a stacked Saudi bill.
- Main card start time: 5pm UK/12pm ET
- Main event ring-walk time: 10pm UK/5pm ET
- Live streams: NOW TV/DAZN
- TV channel: Sky Sports Mix
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Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith (Round 11)
You get to the point now in the fight where you feel Billam-Smith needs a knockout to win this.
Ramirez keeps working those planned big right and left shots.
CBS seems willing to take more of those punches to try and work an angle to get off that deciding punch that could turn the tide of the fight for him.
Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith (Round 10)
Just when you think one person is edging the round, his opponent strikes with an equally as good punch.
Billam-Smith lands some really good body shots than visibily hurt Ramirez.
The Mexican is just not offloading the punches from previous rounds.
CBS wins that round but will need to surely win the next two also if this is going to the scorecard.
Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith (Round 9)
Ramirez catches Billam-Smith with a huge punch and it is just a wonder that he is still standing.
The Mexican is not following up his shots and allowing his opponent to recover.
CBS catches Ramirez with some good punches that do not seem to rock him at all.
That round definitely went to the Mexican, CBS has it all to do.
Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith (Round 8)
A much better round for Billam-Smith.
It is Ramirez who seems to be running short of gas in this one.
CBS lands some good head shots and Ramirez just tries to draw him in to unload that big right.
This fight is still finely poised.
Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith (Round 7)
The cut to the eye of CBS is a big problem right now.
It was identified that it was caused by a headbutt so if the fight is stopped as a result of it, we will go to the judges’ scorecard.
The medic has to give it the once over before the referee will allow him to continue boxing.
Fortunately for the Billam-Smith camp he is allowed to carry on.
You feell CBS needs to do more in these rounds now in case that eye causes an early stoppage.
Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith (Round 6)
All too often Billam-Smith is walking onto Ramirez’s punches.
The cut above his eye is streaming with blood and he is starting to look a little jaded.
CBS lands a big punch himself to the head but it does not rock Ramirez like they did in the first round.
He needs to come out of his shell more and land more telling hits.
Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith (Round 5)
The big problem for Billam-Smith now is he is not getting enough punches away.
Ramirez is having some joy with his left hook and has landed a number to the body and jaw.
CBS need to start offloading more shots or he will quickly fall behind on the card.
Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith (Round 4)
As the two fighters continue to come inside and exchange blows, both boxers land some big hits.
Ramirez is starting to land those big left hands of his more now.
One shot has caused some bruising to the eye of CBS.
He is still getting head shots in as well but he needs to get the combinations working more.
Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith (Round 3)
That was the best round so far for Gilberto Ramirez.
He starts getting more into his tempo and starts unloading some good punches that land on their target.
Billam-Smith puts some combos together which seem to hurt Ramirez.
The Mexican probably just edges that round.
Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith (Round 2)
Billam-Smith lands some early shots which are felt by his opponent.
Ramirez looks to wear them and regroup and has some joy himself with the body shots.
As he gets CBS on the ropes he lands some good punches.
You can see it is in the interest of the Brit boxer to keep this one to the middle of the ring.
This one was a more even round with both fighters letting their hands go.
Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith (Round 1)
That was a great round for Billam-Smith.
His punches were doing some damage to Ramirez.
He seemed to rock his opponent a few times in that round.
Ramirez is looking flat-footed in the ring.
Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith
This is the momennt we have all been waiting for.
Champion versus champion.
We can only have one unified winner at the end of this contest.
Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith
Now we move to the co-main event of the evening.
Ramirez comes into this fight as the heavy favourite.
However, Billam-Smith will certainly fancy his chances in this unification fight.
Jose Ramirez vs Arnold Barboza Jr
Barboza had to wait a long time for this fight.
He has come to Saudi Arabia and done the job.
It was a tight fight and if Ramirez had won the last round, we could have been looking at a draw.
However, this seems the right result, Barboza boxed well and dealt with the Ramirez game plan.
He also landed the most telling punches which played a major part in him getting this decision.
Arnold Barboza Jr wins by unanimous decision
Jose Ramirez vs Arnold Barboza Jr (Round 10)
Barboza looks to end the fight strongly.
He lands a lot of punches and feels he has down enough to win this fight.
Ramirez still does not change his style but you have to question whether he landed enough telling punches.
Jose Ramirez vs Arnold Barboza Jr (Round 9)
Both fighters are still very much in this fight.
There is no need for a KO from either boxer as the only means to win, the card is very close.
Ramirez is trying to impose his own style right now.
He gets more clean jabs through the guard and into the face.
This one is too close to call.
Jose Ramirez vs Arnold Barboza Jr (Round 8)
This is going to be another tight one to call on the card.
Ramirez comes forward more, looking to force his opponent onto the ropes and into the corner.
He lands far more shots but towards the end of the round Barboza lands another clean hit.
The unofficial scorecard has a single point between the pair.
Jose Ramirez vs Arnold Barboza Jr (Round 7)
This may have been the game plan all along.
Barboza is looking to let his hands go far more now.
He catches Ramirez with an uppercut which he no doubt felt.
It brings Ramirez on the front foot more and the pair exchange blows for the remainder of the round.
Jose Ramirez vs Arnold Barboza Jr (Round 6)
Barboza starts to land a lot more punches.
His combos seem to be having effect and it is resulting in him landing a lot more head shots.
Ramirez sticks to his game plan but Barboza catches him with a heavy shot to the body.
Towards the end of the round, Barboza lands some really good punches and no doubt takes that round with ease.
Jose Ramirez vs Arnold Barboza Jr (Round 5)
Finally some telling punches are landed.
Ramirez catches Barboza with a full blooded right but he wears it well.
Later in the round Barboza lands a good right himself but neither boxer is showing any discomfort with the punches.
With the low guard of Barboza, Ramirez continues to get jabs through that are landing.
Jose Ramirez vs Arnold Barboza Jr (Round 4)
Neither fighter is really taking this fight to their opponent.
They seem to be going through the motions to their game plan.
Barboza is trying to stay away from the ropes and keep fighting in the middle of the ring.
He starts to throw some combos to back up his jab more.
Jose Ramirez vs Arnold Barboza Jr (Round 3)
Ramirez is continuing the keep the tempo going but his boxing style seems very predictable.
Barboza is just staying back and trying to box behind the jab.
You feel at some point he is going to have to go on the attack more as the card will be scored just on landed punches right now.
Jose Ramirez vs Arnold Barboza Jr (Round 2)
Ramirez continues to land plenty of body shots.
It is always his aim to wear his opponent down with them.
He catches Barboza with a shot to the top of the head and it stuns him somewhat and takes him out of his stride.
Barboza really needs to let his hands go more or with each round he is falling further behind on the card.
Jose Ramirez vs Arnold Barboza Jr (Round 1)
Ramirez starts on the front foot in the bout.
Barboza seems content to box on the backfoot, waiting for his chance to step inside.
There is plenty of bad blood between these two but neither boxer is allowing it to effect their approach to this one.
Towards the end of the roound, Barboza lands some great combos which could have him edging that round.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk