A fight, a match up that would have proven far more interesting had it somehow taken place a few years back, has been ordered by the WBA. Newly crowned WBA cruiserweight champ Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez has been ordered to make his first title defence against former two-time champ Yuniel Dorticos. RingTV.com reports how the two sides now have a 30-day negotiation period to reach a deal.

Ramirez, 46-1(30), his sole loss coming against Dmitry Bivol, this down at 175 pounds, will likely be a big favourite to defeat 38 year old Dorticos. Dorticos was a fine cruiserweight a few years back, when the Cuban “Doctor” was taking on top guys like Dmitry Kudryashov (KO 2), Murat Gassiev (LTKO12), Mateusz Masternak (W12), Andrew Tabiti (KO10), and Mairis Briedis (LMD12).

But since his September 2020 loss to Briedis, this in the World Boxing Super Series final, Dorticos has boxed just three times, with him most recently fighting in June of this year. Dorticos has scored a quick stoppage win in each of these three fights. How much Dorticos has left at this stage of his career we simply do not know.

Southpaw Ramirez is 33 years of age and he looks far more suited to the cruiserweight division, with him having also boxed at 168 and 175 pounds, “Zurdo” being a former WBO champion at super middleweight. Maybe Dorticos has another great fight (or fights) left in him, we just don’t know.

But again, Ramirez – who defeated Arsen Goulamirian to win the WBC 200 pound belt three months ago – will likely be a hefty favourite to win this fight if it does indeed get done. Dorticos is “Zurdo’s” WBA mandatory challenger.

Can Dorticos manage the double and defeat Ramirez along with Father Time? Just where this fight takes place will prove interesting. Dorticos, 27-2(25) has been stopped just once, this by Gassiev. Might Ramirez become the second man to halt Dorticos when they get it on later this year?