WBO Super Middleweight Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, of Sinaloa, Mexico, makes his fifth title defense Friday in a rematch with Philadelphia’s Jesse “Hard Work” Hart the No. 1 contender. They last fought in September of 2017 when Hart came off the canvas in the second round. Ramirez won by scores of 114-113 and 115-112 twice meaning the knockdown cost Hart the fight.
This Friday Ramirez, 38-0 (25) and Hart, 25-1 (21), will be fighting at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. In his last fight Ramirez defeated Colombian Roamer Alexis Angulo, 23-0, out of Miami, FL, over 12 lopsided rounds. It was his second defense since fighting Hart. In the meantime Hart won all three of his fights since then by stoppage with the last one in August stopping Mike “Imagine Me” Gavronski, 24-2-1, out of Tacoma, WA, in 3 rounds.
The event will be on ESPN+ with a full card featuring nine bouts with 70 rounds scheduled. Ramirez and Hart had this to say:
Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez: I’m coming to Corpus Christi to give the fans a great fight. I have many great memories from the last time I fought here. They treated me well. I felt right at home, and that’s why I asked to fight here again. I will not let them down. I will close the year the way I started it, with a knockout win in Corpus Christi.
Jesse “Hard Work” Hart: Camp was great. Because I did stuff I never did before. I chopped wood for the first time. I climbed rope. Going into camp this time I was in tremendous shape. I didn’t take any time off after my last fight. I knew the rematch was looming so I stayed hungry and ready to go. After I win this title I am going to definitely take a vacation and spend time with my daughter and family. Right after the decision, I wanted to fight Gilberto again. When you look at all of his opponents, I was his only opponent who came close to beating him. He’s fought a lot of credible guys, but none came as close as me. I’ve never been more ready for a fight in my life. Gilberto Ramirez is going to see a different fighter this time around. All I can do is keep honing my craft and get better.