The countdown for the Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez vs. Christian Billam-Smith (pictured) cruiserweight unification bout is now just six days. Ramirez (WBA champion) and Billam-Smith (WBO champion) will do battle in the main event of the Riyadh Season show on November 16th in Saudi Arabia.The British Billam-Smith has been champion since May 2023 when he defeated Lawrence Okolie by majority decision. He has subsequently defended against Mateusz Masternak in December 2023 and Richard Riakporhe last June. The win over Riakporhe avenged Billam-Smith's only loss, a 2019 split decision. Overall, Billam-Smith has 20 wins, 1 loss and 13 knockouts.

The Mexican Ramirez defeated Arsen Goulamirian on March 30th by unanimous decision to gain the WBA crown and now he will have a very difficult first defense. Ramirez, also a former super middleweight champion, has 46 wins, 1 loss and 30 knockouts, with the one loss coming to then light heavyweight champion Dmitri Bivol.