Statement from Golden Boy Promotions regarding Gilberto Ramirez vs. Gabriel Rosado*:
“Due to Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez failing to make the contracted weight, Zurdo vs. Rosado has been canceled. We are very disappointed for letting our fans down, and will work with Gabriel Rosado to bring him back to the ring very soon. Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, Jr. vs. Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta is the new main event for Saturday, March 18.”
Diaz, Jr. vs. Gesta is a 12-round super lightweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The fight night will take place on Saturday, March 18 and will be broadcast on DAZN worldwide.
WHAT TIME IS THE DIAZ VS. GESTA FIGHT?
- Date : Saturday, March 18
- Time : 8 p.m. ET / 12 a.m. GMT (Sunday)
- Diaz vs. Gesta will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe.
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 11 p.m. ET / 3 a.m. GMT (Sunday)
- The fight will take place at Walter Pyramid, Long Beach, California, USA.
- The main card is set to get underway at 8 p.m. ET / 12 a.m. GMT with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 11 p.m. ET / 3 a.m. GMT.
Former World Super Middleweight Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) returns to the ring this Saturday for the first time during his 13 ½-year pro career after suffering a loss against two-time world title challenger Gabriel “King” Rosado (26-16-1, 15 KOs), in the 12-round main event on a stacked card promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zurdo Promotions, streaming live on DAZN (8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT) from The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California.
The 31-year-old Ramirez, fighting out of Mazatlan, Mexico, didn’t have his hand raised in victory for the first time as a pro this past November in Abu Dhabi, when World Boxing Association (WBA) Super World Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitriy Bivol (21-0) successfully defended his crown by way of a 12-round unanimous decision.
“It just wasn’t my night and meant for my opponent,” Ramirez explained about his fight with Bivol. “Looking back, I could have been a little more active, but it is what it is. I definitely would like a rematch in the future.”
First, though, “Zurdo” needs to get back on the winning track versus Rosado, Philadelphia-born of Puerto Rican heritage, who is best known for his stubborn toughness. Rosado, who holds wins over former world champions Joshua Clottey and Kassim Ouma, will be moving up to the light heavyweight division for the first time against Ramirez.
“He (Rosado) is a tough opponent who is always ready to fight,” Ramirez said. “He has been in the ring with the best and can be dangerous at any time of the fight. And to have it be a Mexico versus Puerto Rico match-up is just a cherry on top to make this an exciting fight for fans.”
His loss to Bivol has left “Zurdo” even more motivated.
“It’s a different feeling’” Ramirez noted, “but preparation does not change. I’m more motivated than ever to get back on track and show why I’m still one of the best in the game.”
Here is what today’s participants had to say:
GILBERTO “ZURDO” RAMIREZ, FORMER WORLD CHAMPION:
“Everything was good in camp. I’m ready. Yeah, I’ve seen the Bivol fight back, and it wasn’t my fight. I take the loss and move on. Gabe’s a tough fighter, he’s always bringing everything to the table. I also want to challenge myself. We’ve sparred before so it’s going to be a great fight. After the last fight, I want to prove myself. I was in a dark place but now it’s a new start and I’m ready. I have Rosado in front of me and after I win hopefully, I can get a world title again.”
“KING” GABE ROSADO, LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER:
“I’m back with Freddie at Wildcard. It’s my character, I want to challenge myself. I know how to bounce back. It’s a fight that will go down in history for a great fight. I know what Zurdo is going to bring, and I am too. Zurdo brings a lot so I’m going to be prepared. I’m ready you shock the boxing world again.”
JOSEPH “JOJO” DIAZ, JR., FORMER WORLD CHAMPION:
“I had to make some changes. The team I have now is amazing. I wanted to spice things up. As a fighter sometimes you go on neutral, so we had to change some things. Mercito is tough and experienced. After I walk him down and win, it’s going to open a lot of doors for me. I’m very confident this fight.”
MERCITO “NO MERCY” GESTA:
“As a fighter you don’t want to dodge anyone. Jojo is one of the best and I want that. You should expect a better me. I just had a son, so I’m not only doing this for me now. Jojo is an exciting fighter so I’m excited. Every fight is different, so I don’t know what to expect. I’ll have my team with me to follow with the game plan.”
DIAZ VS. GESTA FIGHT CARD
- Joseph Diaz vs. Mercito Gesta; Lightweight
- Oscar Duarte Jurado vs. Alex Martin; Lightweight
- Eric Tudor vs. Damoni Cato-Cain; Super welterweight
- Patricio Manuel vs. Hien Huynh; Super featherweight
- Dalis Kaleiopu vs. Jonathan Perez; Super featherweight
- Jorge Chavez vs. Bryan Perez; Featherweight