Shane McGuigan: Gilberto Ramirez challenge as tough as Jai Opetaia

TRAINER Shane McGuigan believes the challenge of Gilberto Ramirez at cruiserweight is on a par with that of Jai Opetaia.

Ramirez puts his WBA world title on the line against McGuigan’s WBO titlist Chris Billam-Smith in a cruiserweight unification on November 16 in Riyadh.

Opetaia is regarded by many as the number one cruiserweight in the world, and the IBF belt holder had hoped to face Billam-Smith later this year, but will instead defend his title against former European champion Jack Massey on October 12.

Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith tops a Riyadh Season/Golden Boy Promotions five-fight card which also features Jose Carlos Ramirez vs. Arnold Barboza Jr and William Zepeda vs. Tevin Farmer.

“I think is going to be a cracking fight. It can’t not be,” McGuigan said of the main event.

“You’ve got a Mexican in Ramirez who, yeah, he’s a bit of a counter-puncher but he still throws lots of punches. He’s tough, he’s just beaten [Arsen] Goulamirian and he was arguably one of the best in the division.

“He [Goulamirian] was the kind of feared fighter and he’s just beat him up and outpointed him – stood with him as well. So it’s a hard ask but I think for Ramirez moving up to cruiserweight, it’s really suited him because he’s naturally got a good chin, he’s got a high punch output and he’s very, very effective. So, we’ve got to be on-point, like big time.

“I think it’s equally as hard of a fight for Chris Billam-Smith as Jai Opetaia.”

For the third time in four fights Billam-Smith goes in as an underdog despite making a mockery of the tag against Lawrence Okolie and Richard Riakporhe, respectively. The 34-year-old beat Okolie to win the WBO strap in May 2023 and has since defended it against Mateusz Masternak and in a rematch with Riakporhe in June at Selhurst Park.