Arum: "I’d agree Gilberto Ramirez v GGG"

Bob Arum
Bob Arum

Gilberto Ramirez defends his 168 pound title against Max Bursak at the StubHub Center, after which Arum would like to see Ramirez put his title on the line against the current king at 160 pounds Gennady Golovkin. All would depend on ‘GGG’ being ready to move up to the higher limit, although Arum is in no doubt about how that fight would go should the undefeated champions be pitted together in the future.

“He (Ramirez) doesn’t have to worry about hanging with those guys (other champions),” said Arum. “The fight Gilberto wants if he is successful on April 22 is GGG and I would agree to take that fight winner take all. I think Zurdo destroys Golovkin the same way that he destroyed Arthur Abraham.”

Asked his thoughts on whether Golovkin was showing signs of age in his fight with Danny Jacobs recently, Arum responded: “Yes we all do, even me, I am 85 and I am showing my age. But yes, sure he is there is no question.

“The great A.E. Houseman poem, "To An Athlete Dying Young" -- an athlete's life is relatively short,” added the Top Rank supremo.

Golovkin is currently being linked to what could be a final fight at middleweight against Canelo Alvarez or Billy Joe Saunders in September, meaning Ramirez may be forced to wait until the end of 2017 or early next year in order to get his chance to prove Arum correct.