Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez has his marching orders.

The recently crowned WBA cruiserweight titlist was summoned to next face mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticos, a former two-time titleholder. Both sides were notified on July 1 to enter a 30-day negotiation period to reach terms.

Ramirez is a promotional free agent but will likely continue to work with Golden Boy Promotions, with whom he signed in 2021. Dorticos is co-promoted by Warriors Boxing and The Heavyweight Factory.

The ordered fight comes three months after Mexico’s Ramirez (46-1, 30 knockouts) dethroned long-reigning but grossly inactive Arsen Goulamirian. Ramirez defeated the California-based Armenian via twelve-round decision on March 30 in Inglewood, California.

It marked the start of a second divisional title reign for Ramirez, a 33-year-old southpaw who previously held the WBO super middleweight belt. He came up well short in a Nov. 2022 challenge of WBA 175-pound titlist Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs). Two wins have followed since a move up to cruiserweight, where Ramirez is ranked No. 4 by The Ring.

Miami’s Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs) previously held the WBA ‘Regular’ and ‘Super cruiserweight titles as well as the IBF strap.

The 38-year-old Cuban knockout artist lost both belts during the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) cruiserweight tournaments. He was stopped in the 12^th round by Murat Gassiev in their Feb. 2018 WBSS semifinal and unification bout between unbeaten titlists.

Dorticos advanced to the WBSS final during the second season, but dropped a twelve-round decision to Mairis Briedis (28-3, 20 KOs). Just three fights have followed, all ending in early knockouts. Dorticos ended an eighteen-month inactive stretch with a first-round stoppage of Alan Campa on June 8 in Hollywood, Florida.

Per WBA rule C.13, neither boxer can enter another fight until the terms are satisfied by all parties for this contest. Similarly, Ramirez is obligated to honor his mandatory as a newly-crowned titlist in accordance with WBA rule C.12.

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