Matchroom Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions were able at the very last moment to agree on a fight for the WBA light heavyweight title between the reigning champion Dmitry Bivol and undefeated mandatory challenger Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez. Based on this, the WBA canceled the promotional auction, which was scheduled for Sunday.
“The World Boxing Association trade between Dmitry Bivol and Gilberto Ramirez, which was due to take place today, has been cancelled,” the sanctioning organization announced on social media Sunday. "Both sides have reached an agreement to fight on November 5 in the United Arab Emirates."
The progress came just days after the WBA's decision to reject a special clearance offered by Hearn on Bivol's behalf requiring him to be excluded from a mandatory title defense. It was hoped that the undefeated 31-year-old Russian would take on Joshua Buatsi (16-0, 13 KOs), the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist promoted by Matchroom, in Abu Dhabi in the fall.
The WBA's waiver comes ahead of a 30-day negotiation period set aside by Matchroom and Golden Boy to discuss the terms of the Bivol-Ramirez title fight. It was clear that at that time there were no negotiations, although both sides were able to find common ground in order to avoid bidding.
“This morning we got an agreement for another brilliant fight,” Hearn said in a tweet, noting Golden Boy President Eric Gomez and DAZN, who will be broadcasting the event. - Bivol-Ramirez is scheduled for November 5! Full details will follow shortly."
