The 34-year-old will put his WBO cruiserweight title on the road on Saturday night time, a belt he has held since a memorable night time in entrance of his residence followers in Bournemouth when he beat Lawrence Okolie on factors in Might 2023.
Billam-Smith has since defended his strap by beating Mateusz Masternak after which proving too good for British rival Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park earlier this 12 months, avenging the only real defeat of his skilled profession and setting the stage for his largest night time so far. David Haye in 2008 was the final British fighter to unify at cruiserweight.
Ramirez is WBA champion at 200lbs, having beforehand reigned at super-middleweight. The Mexican picked up the cruiserweight title in March when he beat Arsen Goulamirian on factors and he now fights as a champion within the division for the primary time.
The 33-year-old boasts knowledgeable report of 46-1, with that sole defeat coming when he challenged Dmitry Bivol at light-heavyweight two years in the past. Ramirez went the total 12 rounds with probably the greatest pound-for-pound fighters within the sport, however misplaced a unanimous resolution.
Promoter Ben Shalom has insisted victory for his fighter Billam-Smith would depart him on the street to undisputed glory, with IBF champion Jai Opetaia subsequent on the wishlist.
Chris Billam-Smith grew to become world champion with victory over Lawrence Okolie final 12 months
Motion Photographs by way of Reuters
Ramirez vs Billam-Smith combat date and venue
Ramirez and Billam-Smith will combat tonight on Saturday November 16, 2024.
The occasion is going down at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ramirez vs Billam-Smith combat time and ring walks
The cardboard is predicted to start at 5pm GMT on Saturday night, which is 8pm native time in Saudi Arabia.
The ring walks for the principle occasion are pencilled in for round 10pm GMT, although that might be pushed again relying on the size of the undercard bouts.
Find out how to watch Ramirez vs Billam-Smith
TV channel: The cardboard will probably be broadcast on Sky Sports activities Combine from 5pm GMT on this night and from 10pm on Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion.
It’ll even be obtainable to observe on DAZN, at no further price to subscribers.
Stay stream: Subscribers will be capable of watch on a dwell stream by way of the Sky Go app or the DAZN platforms.
Ramirez vs Billam-Smith undercard
Earlier within the night time, Oscar Collazo places his WBO minimumweight world title on the road towards Thammanoon Niyomtrong, in what’s his fourth defence of that belt.
Former unified light-welterweight champion Jose Ramirez, who was crushed by Josh Taylor in 2021, continues his rebuild again in the direction of the highest of the game, combating the undefeated Arnold Barbosa Jr.
Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith
Jose Carlos Ramirez vs Arnold Barbosa Jr
Oscar Collazo vs Thammanoon Niyomtrong
William Zepeda Segura vs Tevin Farmer
Oscar Duarte Jurado vs Botirzhon Akhmedov
Ramirez vs Billam-Smith prediction
The promotion of “Latino Night time” card makes it clear that Billam-Smith is just not billed because the star attraction for Saturday night time’s major occasion.
That won’t trouble him, although, with the British fighter a laid-back character and never one who will probably be craving all the eye that comes with these Riyadh Season occasions.
Billam-Smith has improved considerably lately, as seen with a dominant win over Riakporhe in June, 5 years on from shedding to his fellow Briton.
This, although, is a serious step up. Ramirez is vastly skilled on the high degree, making 5 defences of his super-middleweight world title earlier than transferring up, and solely the elite Bivol has a win over the Mexican.
Billam-Smith must be the extra pure on the weight, with Ramirez having solely had a few fights at cruiserweight, and he’ll as ever look to drive the tempo and depth all through.
Ramirez is a southpaw and that could be a check Billam-Smith has had restricted expertise of, whereas the Mexican has confirmed all through his profession that he has a superb chin. Whether or not Ramirez carries the knockout energy at cruiserweight is a query that will probably be answered in time, however that may not be crucial right here if he can management proceedings over 12 rounds.
Ramirez to win, unanimous resolution
Gilberto Ramirez is a two-weight world champion
AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Ramirez vs Billam-Smith weigh-in outcomes
The fighters will take to the scales on Friday – verify again in then for the outcomes!
Ramirez vs Billam-Smith newest odds
Ramirez to win on factors or by resolution: 7/5
Ramirez to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 21/10
Billam-Smith to win on factors or by resolution: 11/4
Billam-Smith to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 6/1
Odds by way of Betfair (topic to vary).