2024-03-31 07:31:01
He was the only French boxer to hold a world champion title, that of the WBA light heavyweight. He abandoned it that night from Saturday to Sunday, in Los Angeles, losing to the Mexican Gilberto Ramirez (32 years old, 45 victories including 30 before the limit, 1 defeat). At 36, after six years of domination, Arsen Goulamirian no longer has his belt around his waist. After 12 rounds, the Frenchman was declared the loser unanimously by the judges (118-110 for all three).
Only two rounds therefore fell into the hands of the man who trained at Big Bear, in the Californian mountains, with his historic trainer Abdel Sanchez (75 years old). After a relatively slow start, as he is accustomed to, Arsen Goulamirian failed to pick up the pace, landing several powerful hooks. In the 6th round, one of them even almost made him fall, but the Frenchman remained standing, after swaying.
No more French world champions
Little by little, the result became clear. More lively and enterprising, despite a solid tenth recovery from his opponent, Gilberto Ramirez perfectly mastered his fight to capture the WBA world title. Before the verdict was announced, the Mexican was already celebrating his victory. This was therefore confirmed by the three judges, who made “Zurdo” the first Mexican to win a world title in the light heavyweight category.
For Arsen Goulamirian, this is a missed opportunity. The Frenchman, who was undefeated in 27 fights, hoped to make a name for himself by defending his belt for a fifth time. “My country does not recognize my true value,” he regretted in our columns before his fight. Unfortunately, this defeat should not help him.
However, he announced that he wanted to continue boxing for two or three more years, with the idea in particular of moving up to heavyweight to “mark his name in history like other boxers, like Evander Holyfield, the have already done. » The road will undoubtedly be longer, and strewn with pitfalls. France loses its only world boxing champion.
“It’s a snake”
“He won, he was more efficient today,” reacted Arsen Goulamirian. I’m missing a ring. However, I had good weeks of sparring (training), but we cannot replace combat. I was waiting too much, my hands wouldn’t go away. I had too many problems before the fight. I think that’s what disturbed me in the ring. But the king is not dead, I am still here, I will come back strong, and why not for revenge. »
“It’s a snake. I couldn’t touch him. A friend who trained with him told me: he doesn’t hit, he hits, but he’s not a hitter. He gets in the way. It’s the ring, he was stronger, I just congratulate him. It goes everywhere, you don’t know where to touch it. It’s a defeat but I call it more of an experience, I’m going to come back strong, already in June, normally in the United States. I’m going to take 10 days and start training again, I’m not going to stop. »
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