Gilberto Ramirez stops Yunieski Gonzalez in all-out war

Gilberto Ramirez and Yunieski Gonzalez went at it at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX, but Ramirez’s power got the better of Gonzalez. 

Gilberto Ramirez is a boxing world champion who just doesn’t currently hold a title. Yunieski Gonzalez hoped to interrupt Ramirez’s title hopes as a light heavyweight but fell short.

Gonzalez (43-0, 29 KOs) held the WBO super middleweight title but relinquished the belt after he could no longer make the 168-pound limit with his 6-foot-2 frame. No one ever beat him for the strap, which is why he told FanSided that he’s still a champion.

Ramirez vs. Gonzalez was a WBA light heavyweight title eliminator. Gonzalez (21-4, 17 KOs) likely needed a win if he ever wanted a title shot. At 36 years old, he’s running out of time in boxing, and Ramirez probably shut the door on that dream.

Ramirez came out fast in round 1. He didn’t waste any time and went straight at the hard-punching Gonzalez, and a war ensued.

Gonzalez was unfairly deducted a point in round 3 for roughhouse tactics but was never warned. He fell behind on the cards, and Ramirez deepened the hole in round 4.

Gilberto Ramirez and Yunieski Gonzalez battled in a light heavyweight classic

Round 4 turned into a Round of the Year candidate. Ramirez and Gonzalez traded heavy punches, but Ramirez caught Gonzalez with a left hook that wobbled Gonzalez. He let his hands go and brutalized Gonzalez for the remainder of the round. Gonzalez miraculously stayed on his feet but took a beating.

Gonzalez’s corner talked about stopping the fight but let their fighter continue.

Gonzalez never really recovered, but he found spots where he hurt Ramirez with punches. They were enough to get Ramirez’s attention but not enough to hurt him.

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In round 10, Ramirez put it on Gonzalez. He hurt Gonzalez with a straight left and followed with consecutive right hands that left Gonzalez limp on the ropes. The referee saw enough and stopped the fight. Gonzalez had nothing left to give.

It was a spirited contest that was highly entertaining. Unfortunately, it took years off Gonzalez’s career. He will never be the same after this battle.

Ramirez ate plenty of shots and took damage, but he controlled the fight to prove he is ready for a title shot. Dmitry Bivol is the WBA champion. Ramirez vs. Bivol would make a great matchup. Hopefully, it gets made.