PICKS: ZURDO VS. BILLAM-SMITH, RAMIREZ VS. BARBOZA & MORE

By: Jay Calderon

On Saturday, November 16, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and live on DAZN (USA) and Sky Sports (UK), Cruiserweight titlists Gilberto Ramirez and Chris Billam-Smith will battle it out in a unification bout.

Ramirez (46-1, 30KOs) has lost only once as a professional, which was a Light-Heavyweight title bout against the talented Dmitry Bivol. Since the defeat in 2022, Ramirez has moved up and picked up two decisions over former world titlist Joe Smith and Arsen Goulamirian in a 200 pound title-winning performance.

Billam-Smith (20-1, 13KOs) has also lost just once in the paid ranks, which happened all the way back in 2019. The loss came at the hands of Richard Riakporhe, but that was recently reversed when Billam-Smith decisioned his fellow Brit in June. Since the loss, CBS has gone 11-0 with 5 stoppages.

Also on the card, Jose Ramirez (29-1, 18KOs) battles Arnold Barboza (30-0, 11KOs) in Jr. Welterweight action, WBO Strawweight titlist Oscar Collazo (10-0, 7KOs) will battle WBA Strawweight titlist Knockout CP Freshmart (25-0, 9KOs) in a unification bout with the vacant Ring world Strawweight title also on the line. Also in action, Lightweights William Zepeda (31-0, 27KOs) will take on former world titlist Tevin Farmer (33-6-1, 8KOs).

Check out my picks and previews for the bouts mentioned in the video above.

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