There are four world cruiserweight champions. Let’s take a look at each and comment on “who is the best?” At WBA is the former WBO Super Middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, 46-1, with 30 stoppages from Mexico. He won the NABF Light Heavyweight title in 2020, stopping Alfonso Lopez, 32-3 in 10 rounds.
After three wins his 44 unbeaten record was stopped by WBA Light Heavyweight champion Demitrii Bivol, 20-0, in 2022. In March he moved up to capture the WBA Super World Cruiserweight title defeating Arsen Goulamirian, 27-0, in March of 2024 in his last fight.
Ramirez is scheduled to fight World Boxing Organization champion Chris Billiam-Smith, 27-0, on November 16th on Latino Night at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Billiam-Smith won his title in May of 2023, winning a majority decision over UK’s Lawrence ‘The Sauce’ Okolie, 19-0. Instead of a rematch, he went on to stop Poland’s Mateusz Masternak, 47-5, in December and the UK’s Richard Riakporhe, 17-0, in June of 2024.
WBC champion is Armenian Norair Mikaeljan, 27-2, with 12 stoppages out of Miami, Florida. He won the vacant title in November of 2023, stopping Ilunga Junior Makabu, 29-3. He hasn’t fought in a year since winning the title and nothing scheduled.
IBF champion is southpaw Jai Opetaia, 26-0 with 20 stoppages out of Gold Coast Queensland, Australia. He won the vacant title in May of 2024 defeating Mairis Briedis, 28-2. In his first defense in October he stopped Jack Massey, 22-2. Nothing scheduled.
The winner between Ramirez and Billiam-Smith this month will hold two of these titles. Mikaeljan hasn’t defended his title since winning it a year ago. Opetaia, whom many call the best cruiserweight champion, made his first defense five months later last month.
The winner between Ramirez and Billiam-Smith could meet Opetaia. Mikaeljan could be stripped after not defending his title in a year and be vacant soon. So, who do you think is the best world cruiserweight champion?
