Arguably, the most interesting one of the boxing fights coming up this weekend is this catchweight bout between former world champion Gilberto Ramirez and elite talent Joe Smith Jr. in Las Vegas. This clash of former champions is part of a new cruiserweight journey for both after suffering world title defeats last year.
Ramirez vs. Smith Jr.Picks

Ramirez will get back in the winning column with a big win.
Read more for a closer look at this intriguing matchup and for the official Ramirez vs Smith Jr. prediction ahead of making your bets on this weekend’s slate of fights.
Gilberto Ramirez vs. Joe Smith Jr. Information
Gilberto Ramirez vs Joe Smith Jr.
Location of the fight: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas, NV.
Date and Time: Saturday, October 07. 11:00 PM ET
How to Watch: DAZN
Last Fight Results
- Ramirez is looking to bounce back from a tough decision loss to the great Dmitry Bivol last November in Abu Dhabi for the WBA (super) light heavyweight belt.
- Smith Jr. is also looking to bounce back from a loss to one of the best in the business, Artur Beterbiev, last year via second-round TKO in a title fight.
Gilberto Ramirez vs. Joe Smith Jr. Betting Analysis
Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez
Ramirez is a Mexican boxer with a professional record of 44-1 with 30 KOs who is trying to bounce back from suffering his first defeat as a professional.
After a long, successful career at middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight, it seems like he’s priming himself for a run at cruiserweight with a bigger frame and a tough tune-up fight scheduled at a 193lb catchweight.
“Zurdo de Oro” is listed at 6’2 ¾” and has a 75” reach–measurements that he used as a big advantage during his runs at lower weight divisions than now. Ramirez fights out of the southpaw stance and has put together quite the impressive highlight reel by landing that left hand with that slick southpaw style.
Gilberto Ramirez: I’m Looking Forward To Proving Myself, Regaining Trust of Supporters https://t.co/6uOL1gX1Bm pic.twitter.com/1puqGHYcyP
— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) October 2, 2023
Joe Smith Jr.
Smith Jr. is an American fighter who held the WBO light heavyweight title until losing it to Beterbiev last year. He’s got a professional boxing record of 28-4, with 22 wins by KO and two losses by KO. The reason he’s still at the top of boxing and relevant is the strength of the schedule he’s been up against and who his lone losses have been against.
“The Irish Bomber” is listed at 6’0” with an impressive 76” reach that can keep him physically capable of matching up with anybody at light heavyweight. Smith Jr. fights out of the orthodox stance, which will open up some power shots to both men in the ring on Saturday night.
“Zurdo” Ramirez vs Joe Smith Jr This Saturday Live On DAZN #Boxing #BoxingNews https://t.co/wX5JB6Ow37 pic.twitter.com/04zYI1Omwo
— Boxing News.co (@BoxingnewsCo) October 3, 2023
Updates
There are no injuries reported to Golden Boy Promotions or DAZN.
Gilberto Ramirez vs. Joe Smith Jr. Betting Preview
Before arriving at the correct Ramirez vs Smith Jr. prediction, we have to break down this matchup in multiple ways. Following the betting analysis, we now have to preview the fight by looking at betting lines and watching tape on both of these elite boxers.
According to boxing odds, Ramirez is coming in as the -310 betting favorite early on in the fight week. His opponent, Smith Jr., is closing in at around +230 as the underdog. There aren’t many prop betting lines available right now, but keep your eye out for more to come as the week progresses.
Film Study Reveals Intriguing Matchup
After watching the film on both of these guys, this matchup feels even more interesting than when it was first announced. The southpaw vs. orthodox fights will always be fun because the power hand will always be a shot that can connect right down the middle.
Ramirez is still dangerous even at a higher weight class and after losing last year in the fashion that he did. There are some questions surrounding his massive weight miss earlier this year, but at a new weight class, he should be healthy and ready to go.
He will still come forward with his left hand cocked and ready to land heavy straights to the body and head while also using his front hand to send out jabs and to measure distance. Ramirez has a really pleasant style to watch and will be fun for quite some time going forward.
Smith Jr. brings a different, but just as exciting, style to the ring as well. He is a brawler with the punching ability of a world-class boxer. Smith Jr. likes to march forward and deflect shots as he finds the proper timing to land his big right hand. He is very capable of hurting anyone with his big overhand right–something we say hurt Bivol badly at the end of around years ago. Smith Jr. tends to land that right hand on the temple, causing opponents to lose balance.
Gilberto Ramirez vs. Joe Smith Jr. Betting Prediction
Betting on boxing matches like this can be tough if you overthink.
- But in this case, the official Ramirez vs Smith Jr. prediction is that Ramirez will get back in the winning column with a big win.
Smith Jr. is just too easy to hit, and the power that Ramirez has will be too much for the American former champion to handle over the course of 12 rounds.
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