Denis Lebedev vs Victor Emilio Ramirez Preview May 21st
There’s a cruiserweight unification bout this Saturday, May 21st when WBA champion Denis Lebedev of Russia takes on IBF champion Victor Emilio Ramirez of Argentina in Moscow. The bout was originally scheduled for April 30th. Lebedev has won three fights in a row since losing to Guillermo Jones by 11th-round KO in May of 2013. Jones later failed a drug test and Lebedev got his title back. The Russian last fought in November when he beat Lateef Kayode by eighth-round stoppage. Ramirez won the IBF title by beating Ola Afolabi by unanimous decision in April of 2015 and then defended it against Ovill McKenzie of England in October by a split-decision draw. Ramirez is unbeaten in his last eight outings as he was riding a seven-fight winning streak before drawing with McKenzie.
Lebedev vs Ramirez Betting Odds
Here are the winner odds from online sportsbook 5dimes.eu
- Victor Emilio Ramirez +900
- Denis Lebedev -1375
My Pick
The 32-year-old Ramirez enters the bout with a record of 22-2-1 along with 17 Kos. He was beaten by Marco Huck by unanimous decision in 2009 and dropped a six-round majority decision to Sebastian Ignacio Ceballos back in 2006. He’s fought 129 rounds since turning pro back in 2006 and has pretty good power with a current knockout ratio of 65 per cent. Ramirez stands 5-feet-11-inches tall and has a reach of 69 inches. Ramirez hasn’t really taken on many top boxers other than Afolabi and Huck, but he’s durable and has a pretty solid chin. He’s got five Ko’s in his last seven fights though and Lebedev can’t underestimate his power even though this is just his third bout outside of his homeland.
The 36-year-old Lebedev is an awkward, but effective southpaw who has a record of 28-2 along with 21 Kos. He’s won five of his last six bouts and other than losing to Jones, has also been beaten by Huck on a split decision in 2010. Lebedev likes to brawl and he’s pretty good at it as he owns a knockout ratio of 70 per cent in his 169 pro rounds. He’s got a solid chin even though Jones stopped him. Lebedev, like Martinez, is also 5-foot-11, but he has an unlisted reach. He’s beaten some good boxers since turning pro in 2001 such as Roy Jones, James Toney, Pawel Kolodziej and Enzo Maccarinelli.
Lebedev is a good combination puncher, but isn’t interested in hearing the judges’ scorecards at the end of his fights. He knows he has a lot of dynamite in his fists and isn’t afraid to let them go and initiate a slugfest. He’s won seven of his past nine victories by knockout and will be looking to do the same against Ramirez. The Argentine will have a decent chance if he can stand up to Lebedev’s power and land some telling blows of his own, but that’s going to be easier said than done in his opponent’s backyard.
Prediction……
Lebedev has just about everything going for him here except the fact he’s four years older than Ramirez. This could be a good, exciting fight while it lasts and it could actually last the entire 12 rounds if Ramirez can handle the Russian’s power. Either way, Lebedev should add the IBF title at the end of the night either by decision or late stoppage.
Lebedev should be too experienced and powerful for Ramirez.
Play: Lebedev -1375 @ 5dimes.eu
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Denis Lebedev betting • Victor Emilio Ramirez betting