WBA/WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) has been ordered by the WBA to defend against his sanctioned Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs) in the next fight.

The 38-year-old Cuban-born Dorticos has fought just three times in the past four years, beating lesser opponents to earn a World Boxing Association-sanctioned berth. It’s not ideal for a fighter to take the #1 slot, but the cruiserweight division is devoid of talent. Dorticos is one of the few good fighters in this weight class, and he’s not small.

Cooperation is Delayed

Ramirez’s plans for the fight are for the IBF cruiserweight title Jai Opetaia must be stopped. They should wait until they get the fight out of the way against Dorticos. Of course, there’s always the possibility of a slow build if Ramirez’s promoters at Golden Boy want to go that route.

It’s too bad that the IBF didn’t use the former WBA champion Arsen Goulamirian as a pressure, but it wouldn’t make sense, because Ramirez beat him last year on March 30 with a unanimous decision of 12. However, it would be better than the fight against Dorticos that didn’t work.