As the boxing world gears up for the much-anticipated Latino Nights event on November 16th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, promoter Oscar De La Hoya is set to amplify marketing efforts across various platforms. The event promises to deliver high-stakes bouts and an electric atmosphere, with live coverage available on DAZN, although the exact timing is yet to be confirmed. The feature match of the evening sees WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez squaring off against WBO titleholder Chris Billiam-Smith, creating a compelling storyline for the fight fans.
Despite the significance of the championship belts at stake, the choice of Ramirez’s match to headline the event is contentious. A considerable number of boxing enthusiasts in the U.S. have begun to lose interest in Ramirez’s journey, primarily due to his lopsided loss to Dmitry Bivol in 2022, which raised doubts about his competitiveness at the elite level. Since that fight, Ramirez has put together a couple of impressive wins against Joe Smith Jr. and Arsen Goulamirian, reclaiming his status as a cruiserweight champion, yet skepticism remains.
His match against Billiam-Smith fails to generate the excitement one would expect from a main event. Many fans feel that the bout between William Zepeda and Tevin Farmer holds more promise as a main attraction. Zepeda, boasting an untarnished record of 31 wins, including 27 knockouts, is on the brink of securing a title shot against WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson if he can best Farmer.
The battle between Zepeda and Farmer seems to have garnered more interest among followers of the sport, and rightfully so. This match is pivotal for Zepeda, who is poised to thrive in the competitive lightweight division. Farmer, a former IBF super featherweight champion, poses a notable challenge, and their clash may indeed dictate Zepeda’s future prospects in the ring. Fans are eagerly awaiting this fight, as it could deliver an explosive performance from both fighters.
The lineup for Latino Nights on November 16th is by no means limited to just the highlighted bouts. Former unified light welterweight champion Jose Ramirez will engage with Arnold Barboza Jr. in a 12-round co-feature. With both boxers ranked highly, the stakes are considerable for the victor. Moreover, lightweight Oscar Duarte steps into the ring against replacement opponent Botirzhon Akhmedov, adding further intrigue to the evening’s schedule.
The blend of established champions and rising stars creates an appealing roster of matches, compelling fans to tune in and witness the potential shake-up in the boxing landscape.
Latino Nights in Riyadh holds the promise of captivating boxing action that could reshape the careers of numerous fighters. While Ramirez’s clash with Billiam-Smith serves as a critical matchup, the card’s true highlights may lie in the bouts featuring Zepeda and Farmer, as well as the encounters of other prominent athletes. As the world watches with bated breath, the anticipation builds, and November 16th promises to deliver memorable moments for boxing enthusiasts everywhere.