Gilberto Ramirez vs. Joe Smith Jr undercard: Complete list of fights before main event in 2023 boxing match

Daniel Yanofsky

Gilberto Ramirez vs. Joe Smith Jr undercard: Complete list of fights before main event in 2023 boxing match image

Competing in a new division, Gilberto Ramirez is ready to start the next chapter of his career. The same could be said for Joe Smith Jr., who faces "Zurdo” at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on October 7. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will be streamed live by DAZN.

Ramirez (44-1) is a former WBO super middleweight champion who had his unbeaten streak snapped by WBA light heavyweight king Dmitry Bivol in November. This will be his second attempt at fighting at cruiserweight since that setback, as he badly missed weight for a fight against Gabriel Rosado. “Zurdo” is now ready to move past the loss and the botched weight cut and focus on the challenge ahead.

“The first defeat was tough," admitted Ramirez in an interview with Boxing Scene. "But I'm more hungry now and want to prove my best by getting the win. My body is growing. I'm still young. I want to challenge myself now and conquer a new division. I'm excited because Joe Smith is a good fighter. I know he will fight every round, and the same goes for me."

Smith (28-4) also lost to Bivol but claimed the WBO light heavyweight championship in 2021. He lost that title to the mighty Artur Beterviev in 2022, and this will be his first cruiserweight outing.

WATCH: Gilberto Ramirez vs. Joe Smith Jr., live on DAZN

Outside of the main event, there will be an eliminator bout for the super flyweight division while veterans and young guns look to impress. Here’s a breakdown of the entire “Zurdo” vs. Smith undercard. 

Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez vs. Joe Smith Jr. undercard

John Ramirez vs. Ronal Batista

  • Division/Weight: Super Flyweight
  • Ramirez record: 12-0
  • Batista record: 15-3
  • Belts at stake: N/A 

The co-main event will see John Ramirez vs. Ronal Batista in a WBA title eliminator.

Ramirez (12-0) turned pro in 2020 and has won eight bouts via knockout. His last fight was a split decision win over Fernando Diaz in May. The 27-year-old is ranked No. 2 in the WBA's rankings. 

Batista (15-3) turned pro in 2016 and has nine wins via knockout. The 26-year-old from Panama won local super flyweight gold but failed to capture the WBC flyweight belt when he faced Mexico's Julio Cesar Martinez in May of last year.

MORE: Should Tyson Fury be stripped of the heavyweight title?


Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Alantez Fox

  • Division/Weight: Super Middleweight
  • Melikuziev record: 12-1
  • Fox record: 28-4-1
  • Belts at stake: N/A 

Also on the card will be Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Alantez Fox

A silver medalist at the 2016 Olympics, Melikuziev (12-1) turned pro in 2019 and has nine wins via knockout. The Uzbekistan native is on a five-fight win streak and took down Gabriel Rosado in his last fight, in April. 

Fox (28-4-1) turned pro in 2010 at 18. He's faced the likes of Demetrius Andrade, Liam Williams, and David Morrell but went 0-3 against them. In 2021, he lost against Morrell for the WBA "regular" super middleweight title. Returning to action in February, Fox lost to Erik Bazinyan for the NABF crown.

Tristan Kalkreuth vs. TBA

  • Division/Weight: Cruiserweight
  • Kalkreuth record:
  • TBA record: TBA
  • Belts at stake: N/A 

Opening the broadcast will be Tristan Kalkreuth vs. TBA.

The 21-year-old Kalkreuth (11-1) turned pro in 2021. "Sweet T" had his eight-fight unbeaten streak snapped in 2021 by Demetrius Banks. He has since won three in a row, his last fight being a knockout win over Joe Jones in July.

MORE: Tszyu laughs off Charlo's 'paper champ' accusation


When is Gilberto Ramirez vs. Joe Smith Jr.

Ramirez vs. Smith is on October 7. The main card starts at 8 p.m. ET. Ramirez and Smith should make their way to the ring around 11:15 p.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last. 

Region Date Main Card Start Time Main Event Ring Walks (approx.)
USA and Canada (ET) Saturday, October 7 8 p.m. ET 11:15 p.m ET
USA and Canada (PT) Saturday, October 7 5 p.m. PT 8:15 p.m. PT
UK and Ireland Sunday, October 8 1 a.m. BST 4:15 a.m. BST
Australia Sunday, October 8 10 a.m. AEST 1:15 p.m. AEST

How to watch Gilberto Ramirez vs. Joe Smith Jr.

Region TV channel Live streaming
USA DAZN
Canada DAZN
UK and Ireland DAZN 1 HD DAZN
Australia DAZN

WATCH: Gilberto Ramirez vs. Joe Smith Jr., live on DAZN

Now available as a Sky channel, DAZN 1 HD is exclusive to Sky.

Gilberto Ramirez vs. Joe Smith Jr. price: How much does fight cost? 

  • DAZN monthly subscription: $19.99 on a 12-month contract or $24.99 month-to-month in U.S./ $24.99 per month in Canada/ £9.99 in the U.K. on a 12-month contract, or £19.99 month-to-month/ 13.99 AUD in Australia
  • DAZN annual subscription: $224.99 in the U.S., $199.99 in Canada, and £99.99 in the U.K.

Daniel Yanofsky