CHRIS Billam-Smith said no cruiserweight in the world can live with his intensity as the wait is nearly over for his unification bout with Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez.
Both fighters made weight at the weigh-in on Friday to set up the headline clash at Latino Night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Zurdo was welcomed to the stage up first, before Billam-Smith was greeted by the assembled crowd and media.
Ramirez weighed in at 199.6lbs, or 90.5kg, as Billam-Smith clocked 199.4lbs on the scales, or 90.4kg.
The winner will take home both the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles, with Billam-Smith hoping to bring Zurdo’s WBA title back to Dorset to add to his WBO belt.
There was steely determination on Billam-Smith’s face as the pair faced off for the final time before Saturday night.
Billam-Smith laid down a final marker when asked what he needs to do to take advantage of his natural bigger size as the career cruiserweight.
The Bournemouth boxer’s answer was simple: “Be me.
“Nobody in this division can live with my intensity.”
Zurdo, meanwhile, said he was ready for the clash.
On what is different about him as a cruiserweight, Ramirez said: “Confidence, preparation and that's all.”
The Mexican is favourite for the clash, with the entire card sporting a Latin American theme.
- 'I'm here to spoil the party again': Billam-Smith ready to upset 'Zurdo' Ramirez
- Billam-Smith: 'I'm best on the planet'; Ramirez is 'most complete' opponent
- 'Zurdo' Ramirez: 'I don't know much about Chris Billam-Smith'
- Look back at Chris Billam-Smith's WBO fights ahead of Ramirez unification bout
- Chris Billam-Smith vs Gilberto Ramirez: Preview, undercard and how to follow
But that hasn’t stopped Billam-Smith in previous fights, with the Gentleman saying he is ready to spoil the party once again.
It has been teased that the winner will face Jai Opetaia to crown an undisputed champion in the division – but former boxer and promoter Oscar De La Hoya also suggested a potential clash with Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.
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