Billam-Smith to face Ramirez in unification bout

WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith will return connected WBA champion Gilberto Ramirez successful a unification bout successful Riyadh, Saudi Arabia connected 16 November.

It will beryllium Billam-Smith's 3rd defence of his title, nan 34-year-old Briton having forced a stoppage against Mateusz Masternak successful December followed by a points triumph complete Richard Riakporhe successful June.

Ramirez became nan first Mexican to triumph a cruiserweight title erstwhile he defeated Arsen Goulamirian for nan WBA loop successful March.

The 33-year-old, who antecedently held nan WBO super-middleweight title betwixt 2016 and 2019, has a 46-1 grounds pinch 30 knockouts.

'The Gentleman', arsenic Billam-Smith is nicknamed, won nan WBO title erstwhile he defeated Lawrence Okolie astatine Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium successful May 2023.

His triumph against antecedently undefeated Riakporhe astatine Selhurst Park, London, avenged nan only nonaccomplishment of his 21-fight career.