If you were looking for a polite, tactical chess match, you tuned into the wrong fight. When Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez and Chris Billam-Smith stepped into the ring at The Venue in Riyadh back in November 2024, they didn't just fight for the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles. They basically tried to see whose chin would crack first under the weight of "Latino Night" expectations.
Honestly, nobody expected it to be this brutal.
Ramirez walked away as a unified champion, but the 116-112, 116-112, and 116-113 scorecards don't tell the whole story of the blood left on the canvas. Billam-Smith, the Bournemouth powerhouse, came in with a massive heart and a WBO belt he wasn't ready to let go of. By the sixth round, his left eye was gushing so badly it looked like a scene from a horror flick.
He didn't stop. He just kept walking forward.
The Masterclass of Zurdo
Zurdo is a weird fighter to watch sometimes. He’s 6'2", a southpaw, and he throws punches from angles that shouldn't exist. Against Billam-Smith, he was a different animal than the guy who got shut out by Dmitry Bivol at light heavyweight. He looked comfortable. He looked heavy.
The Mexican used a "rib-tickler" of a body shot in the fourth round that changed the momentum for good. You could see the air leave Billam-Smith’s lungs. Most guys would’ve folded. Instead, "The Gentleman" just bit down on his gumshield and threw back.
- Accuracy: Ramirez was landing at a clip that made Billam-Smith's defense look like Swiss cheese.
- The Jab: It wasn't just a range-finder; it was a power shot that snapped Billam-Smith's head back repeatedly.
- Movement: Zurdo spent half the fight spinning off the ropes, making the Brit hit air while countering with hooks.
Why Billam-Smith Lost (But Won Respect)
Let's be real: Billam-Smith was "swimming upstream" from the third round on. That’s how the commentators described it, and they weren't wrong. He was catching hell. The doctor had to look at his eye multiple times.
The issue wasn't effort. It was the gap in technical variety. Billam-Smith is a "trench" fighter. He wants to get close and hammer you. But every time he got close, Ramirez either smothered him or landed a sneaky uppercut and dipped out of range.
By the time we got to the 12th round, both men were just swinging in the center of the ring. No defense. Just vibes and violence. It was easily one of the most entertaining cruiserweight fights in years because of that refusal to quit.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Scorecards
Some fans on social media thought the scores were too close. If you watch the fight with the sound off, you might see a blowout. Ramirez dominated the middle rounds. But if you look at the CompuBox stats, Billam-Smith actually landed more power punches in the final three rounds (67-35).
He was finishing strong. Ramirez’s corner was literally yelling at him to "pick up the pace" because they felt the momentum shifting. Zurdo won because he bankrolled enough early rounds and landed the "tonnage" shots—the ones that actually hurt.
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The Aftermath: Where Do They Go Now?
Ramirez isn't slowing down. Since that night, he's defended against Yuniel Dorticos and is now staring down a massive 2026 clash with David Benavidez. That’s the fight everyone wants. The "Mexican Monster" vs. the "Unified King."
As for Billam-Smith, his record took a hit, falling to 20-2, but his stock didn't. You don't lose fans by going 12 rounds in a bloodbath against a future Hall of Famer. He’s already talked about wanting a crack at Jai Opetaia or a rematch if he can string together a couple of wins back in the UK.
Cruiserweight used to be the "boring" division between light-heavy and heavyweight. Not anymore.
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What you should do next:
If you missed the live broadcast, go find the round 12 highlights on DAZN. It’s 30 seconds of pure, unadulterated chaos that reminds you why boxing is called the "sweet science" and the "brutal business" all at once. Keep an eye on the May 2026 calendar—if the Ramirez vs. Benavidez fight is officially signed for Las Vegas, get your tickets early. It’s going to be a war.