Mexican boxer Gilberto Ramírez made history by defeating Armenian Arthur Abraham by unanimous decision and snatching the super middleweight title endorsed by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
With his victory, Ramírez became the first Mexican to win the 168-pound crown, in a fight held at the MGM in Las Vegas (Nevada), where the judges gave him the victory with ratings of 120-108 in all three cardstock.
Ramirez leaves his mark at 34-0 with 24 knockouts and Abraham put it at 44-5 with 29 knockouts.
The fight was prior to the main event of the night between the Filipino Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr., which was also won by unanimous decision by the 37-year-old Filipino fighter who received cards from the three judges of 116-110.
Ramírez knew how to take advantage of his greater stature and size over Abraham to keep him at a distance and punish him without entering the attack zone of the then champion.
The Mexican countered the Abraham tactic with a leg boxing, in which he traveled the entire ring while throwing his best arsenal with both fists.
When Abraham could land a solid blow, Ramírez only removed the danger with his direct shots, which kept the now former champion at a safe distance.
In the fifth round, Ramírez, who had already won the previous four, gave Abraham a low blow and the match referee momentarily stopped the fight until the former champion recovered.
Back in action in the sixth, Abraham landed his best shots and cornered Ramirez on the ropes, but Ramirez responded with plenty of shots to come out with more points in the round.
From that moment, with the actions under control, Ramírez used his great physical condition and his footwork to move around the ring and always be out of danger.
Abraham couldn’t decipher the Mexican’s elusive boxing and just waited for the moment when Ramírez came to a halt on the canvas to exchange a few blows.
The remaining episodes were under the control of the Mexican and although many questioned his defensive boxing, he was able to get the world crown.
Mexican Ramírez makes history by snatching the super middleweight title from Abraham
