Malik Scott: Gilberto Ramirez-Chris Billiam-Smith is a mismatch

Malik Scott, part of Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez’s team, regards Ramirez as the top cruiserweight in the world.

Scott, a former heavyweight title contender best known for training (and fighting) Deontay Wilder, will be in Saudi Arabia to assist Ramirez’s lead trainer, Julian Chua, when Ramirez faces Chris “The Gentleman” Billam-Smith on November 16 in a cruiserweight unification fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The 33-year-old Ramirez, 46-1 (30 KOs), is focused on building his legacy, seeing Billam-Smith, 20-1 (13 KOs), as a key step after his loss to Dmitry Bivol at light heavyweight in 2022.

Scott, 44, who served as Ramirez’s lead trainer for his cruiserweight debut against Joe Smith Jnr last October – a unanimous decision rebound from the Bivol fight – is confident in Ramirez’s chances. Scott and Chua have been training Ramirez, from Sinaloa, Mexico, at Brickhouse Boxing Club in North Hollywood, California, honing their strategy for fight night.

“Julian is one of the brightest trainers in boxing,” Scott said. “I enjoy learning from him. I had Zurdo for his fight with Joe Smith, and he did well. No disrespect to Billam-Smith, but this fight is a mismatch.”

Scott explained exactly why he considers the fight to be so one-sided.

“Zurdo is a big, strong southpaw who’s faced tougher opponents than Billam-Smith,” Scott said. “He’s a powerful body puncher with great angles and an incredible boxing mind. Billam-Smith is big and keeps coming forward, but he’s a one-trick pony.”

Scott praised the 34-year-old U.K. fighter Billam-Smith’s trainer, Shane McGuigan, acknowledging his impact as an X-factor in the fight.

“He has a good trainer, but I think Zurdo takes over in the second half,” Scott said. “Zurdo has a dream team in his corner. I believe he’ll become undisputed champion, with Jai Opetaia as his only real challenge.”

A decorated amateur from Philadelphia and 15-year pro, Scott went on to explain what ingredients make a coach special.

“A great trainer teaches fighters the whys and hows,” Scott said. “Good trainers just give instructions. I believe in teaching for a reason. I study fighters’ styles and habits, even watching their corners to see how they operate. I think everyone in the corner should be mic’d up – I’m confident in my advice and want people to hear it.”

Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.