Chris Billam-Smith Could Have Beaten Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez, But He Had the Wrong Tactics, Says Johnny Nelson

Johnny Nelson believes Chris Billam-Smith could have beaten Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez if he had used different tactics.

Billam-Smith lost a unanimous decision to Ramirez in their WBA light-heavyweight title fight on Saturday night. Many ringside observers and fans at home felt that Nelson lost the bout due to his inability to keep up with Ramirez's superior movement and footwork.

Nelson, a former WBO cruiserweight champion, said that Billam-Smith should have used his size and strength to his advantage. He said that Billam-Smith should have tried to bully Ramirez around the ring and not let him get into a rhythm.

"I think Chris Billam-Smith could have won that fight if he had used different tactics," Nelson said. "He's a big, strong guy, and he should have used his size and strength to his advantage. He should have tried to bully Ramirez around the ring and not let him get into a rhythm."

Billam-Smith is now 16-2 as a professional. He has won his last three fights since losing to Joshua Buatsi in May 2021.

Ramirez is now 45-1 as a professional. He has won his last six fights since losing to Dmitry Bivol in May 2019.