Dmitry Bivol Dominates Gilberto Ramirez, Wins Unanimous Decision To Retain WBA Title

November 6, 2022

Dmitry Bivol successfully defended his WBA Light Heavyweight title for the 10th time with a unanimous decision over formerly undefeated challenger Gilberto Ramirez on Saturday Night at the Ethiad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi UAE. The fight was broadcast live in DAZN.

Bivol silenced all his doubters with another victory, adding one more notable win to crown the biggest win of his career over Saul Canelo Alvarez in his last outing. Ramirez, who was the mandatory challenger for the WBA Light Heavyweight title, got clearly out-pointed over 12 rounds and lost the fight on the scorecards. The Judges scores the fight 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111, all for Bivol.

Watch Full Fight Video Highlights

Bivol fought through both height and reach disadvantage and seemingly un-bothered by the fact that Ramirez fought behind his Jab early in the fight. A straight right hand and followed it with a left hook, forcing Ramirez to take cover in a bid to stop the Champion from causing more damage.

Bivol kept his Jab pumped and slipped out of Ramirez way, whenever the later tried to get back at him. Bivol finally connected a huge combination that forced Ramirez to the ropes. Ramirez’s had his left Jab pumped but couldn’t get Bivol with his right.

The third round saw both fighters share the Center of the ring. Ramirez enjoyed the most success, connecting more straight lefts and more successes during the exchanges as Bivol seemed to have slowed down in his output.

By the final round, Ramirez was far behind on the cards and was urged by his trainer to up his output. Something he tried doing to his best but couldn’t muster enough energy behind his punches to hurt Bivol, who fought like he needed the round. Bivol moved in and out connecting shots in close quartets and around the final 30 seconds went in for a huge final right hand before the bell.

Gilberto Ramirez drops 41-1 (30KOs), his first professional defeat and his first fight to go the distance since moving up to light heavyweight. He was riding on a five fight knockout streak, which earned him a Mandatory spot for Bivol’s WBA Light Heavyweight title. His last title fight was back in 2018, when he ended his WBO super middleweight title reign.

Bivol goes 21-0 (11kOs) and this representing his 10th WBA Light Heavyweight title defence. The win over Ramirez is so significant and adds to his upset win over Canelo Alvarez earlier this year, putting him in consideration for the “fighter of the year”