Photo - Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy
Former world champion and light heavyweight Mexican boxing star Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramírez (43-0, 29 KOs) of Mazatlán, Mexico, and Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy hosted a press conference today, Monday, April 25 to discuss Zurdo's upcoming fight against former WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Champion Dominic Boesel (32-2, 12 KOs) of Freyburg, Germany on Saturday, May 14. The 12-round fight will be for the WBA Light Heavyweight Final Eliminator and will take place at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, CA and will be streamed live on DAZN.
Tickets for Zurdo vs Boesel are on sale now and are priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25 not including applicable service charges. Tickets will be available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboypromotions.com or the Toyota Arena box office Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Below is what Zurdo Ramirez and Oscar De La Hoya had to say about the upcoming event:
GILBERTO 'ZURDO' RAMIREZ, LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER:
"I always want to put on a good show for the fans. There will be a lot of Mexican people, a lot of Latinos, a lot of boxing fans. I want to make a statement and get the winner from Canelo vs. Bivol, that's the fight that I want and I need to pass through this guy first on May 14."
"I am really confident in my self and in my training. I knew the fight was going to be in May, but not the date, but I like to be in shape. I am always training and am ready for these big opportunities. On May 14, I will be 44-0, 30KOs no losses. I am looking for the knockout."
"Its a pleasure to work toe-to-toe with a living legend and the Golden Boy family has welcomed me with open arms, and I am very grateful for that. We have a great relationship in boxing but also outside the ring, they have treated me like family."
"I am the best in this division and I will prove myself. I will give everyone a good show. I have been looking for the opportunity to fight the best because I know that I am the best. Here in LA there is a lot of Mexican people, a big community and I love them, and they love me too. The Hispanic community is great in LA that's why Oscar likes to bring all the fighters here and it's exciting."
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF GOLDENBOY:
"[Zurdo] is 43-0 and he has the vision, the drive to become a world champion. He was Mexico's first super middleweight champion, that is something we should never forget. To be 50-0 that is a goal that he has, it's exciting to see him fight. May 14 will be another difficult fight for him, but that is what he is all about."
"We possibly have two 'fight of the year' candidates with Zurdo and William Zepeda. William is a very exciting fighter he is undefeated, he is ready to take on the world. He is facing a tough durable in your face a lot of power a lot of action, it's going to be one of those fight you will not want to miss."
"I want to make sure that I keep boxing here in LA and I keep it strong and make it grow to give these young guys an opportunity. We have established champions like Zurdo, we have the young prospects that have dreams and that's what I want to build off of. I used to be a young kid from East LA who had a dream and there are tons of kids who have that same dream. So we want to keep that alive."
"One thing about Zurdo is that he comes out and fights. Anyone who has seen his last fights, it was one of those fights where you are the edge of your seat. Every single round is exciting, you never knew what was going to happen. He's in great shape, he is always training, he is professional, and he wants to give everyone a good show. And the great thing is that he is going to be in a good position to fight the winner for Canelo vs. Bivol. So it took a while, but he worked hard and never gave up and the opportunity is right around the corner."