NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will look to resurrect his career on March 18 when he takes on former world title challenger Gabriel Rosado.

The 12-round light heavyweight fight will headline a Golden Boy Promotions card and DAZN show at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif. It will also mark Ramirez’s first fight since the 31-year-old suffered his first career loss in November to the 2022 fighter of the year winner Dmitry Bivol. 

“It was hard for me [losing to Bivol]. I was disappointed in myself,” Ramirez told BoxingScene.com and other reporters during a recent media workout at the Brickhouse Boxing Club. “I got into boxing because I wanted to prove to myself that I am the best and that I can do anything that I want. Now I find myself in a different beginning. I'm coming for everything [against Rosado].” 

The Julian Chua-trained Ramirez said that the strategy against Bivol was for him to be a boxer instead of the aggressor, and to pick and choose his spots as openings allowed. 

Ramirez suffered a unanimous decision defeat via scores of 118-110, 117-111, and 117-111. Ramirez was the busier fighter, however, throwing 235 more shots (878), but landing 24 fewer (107) than Bivol.

“I watched the fight a few times. I respect Bivol and I don’t want to take anything away from him. He's a champion,” said Ramirez. “It wasn't my night. But I can do better. I will become a champion again. But now, I feel like I'm a new Zurdo. I lost. I was deep in the waters. It was a learning experience for me. I'm happy because I'll come back stronger.” 

Should Ramirez get past the 37-year-old Rosado (26-16-1, 15 KOs), he wants to face the likes of Callum Smith, Anthony Yarde, and Joshua Buatsi during his comeback campaign, and he’s open to fighting the British light heavyweight trio in the United Kingdom. 

“I'm looking for those fights,” said Ramirez. “I need to win the fights they put in front of me to return to world title form. I need to make a statement. I'm motivated to prove to myself that I am the best. I want to be busy. I want to be more active and fight two more times this year. The fans deserve these fights. I'm willing to fight in the UK. I'm willing to fight anywhere.” 

Ramirez is also ready for a rematch against Bivol if the opportunity presents itself. 

The 175-pound WBA champion Bivol is trending toward facing WBC, WBO, and IBF champion Artur Beterbiev for an undisputed fight by the end of the year.

Ramirez believes Bivol will be the victor in the bout. 

“It's a tough fight. I like both as a fan. But I think I'm going for Bivol,” said Ramirez. 

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer, and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com, or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.