Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) returns to the Coastal Bend on January 31, but he will not be wearing gloves. The unified cruiserweight champion has partnered with Knuckle Up Promotions to stage a card at the Richard Borchard Fairgrounds in Robstown, Texas. Ramirez is using his leverage as a titleholder to build a promotional bridge between Mazatlán and south Texas. The “Gulf Coast Glory” show marks his third venture into the business side of the sport.
The card focuses heavily on local regional interest rather than world-level consequence. Julian Delgado (7-1, 3 KOs) takes the co-main slot in a middleweight battle designed to capitalize on his 2023 amateur pedigree. He faces the reality of the professional grind where physical strength often overrides technical flash. In the other co-feature, Jerry Belmontes (21-10, 6 KOs) ends a nine-year layoff. Belmontes was once a legitimate lightweight contender. He is now 37 and has not fought since 2016.
The ghost of the Corpus Christi Kid
Belmontes is a veteran of the game who has seen the bright lights and the dark corners. He pushed Omar Figueroa Jr. to a split decision a decade ago. That version of Belmontes used lateral agility and a respectable jab to offset pressure. After nearly a decade away from the ring, those reflexes are a question mark. Returning at this age is rarely about glory and usually about closing a chapter that felt unfinished.
The sounds of a comeback are different in a regional fairground. The noise of a heavy body shot echoes against the metal rafters of a small venue. Belmontes will need to rely on ring-craft to survive the early rounds. His legs will likely be the first thing to betray him. If he cannot establish a lead shoulder to keep his opponent at bay, it will be a long night for the hometown favorite.
Prospects and cruiserweight shifts
Kareem Hackett (12-1, 6 KOs) makes a move that defines many modern light heavyweights. He is stepping up to the cruiserweight division. Hackett lost a significant fight to Rowdy Legend Montgomery in early 2024. He lacks the bone density of a natural cruiserweight. This move is a tactical adjustment to see if his speed can carry him in a heavier class.
The Mongolian featherweight Enkhamadakh Kharkhuu (7-0, 3 KOs) brings a different rhythm to the card. Mongolian fighters often possess a high-guard efficiency and a heavy-handed approach rooted in their national wrestling culture. Watching a prospect like Kharkhuu adjust to the humid, hostile atmosphere of a Texas fight night is a technical study in mental fortitude. He is fighting outside his comfort zone for the first time on American soil.
‘Gulf Coast Glory’ sounds cool but I feel like they trying too hard to hype up average fighters cause Ramirez is involved. Not every show needs to be all dramatic.
They acting like this fight card is some big deal but it’s just minor league stuff at a fairground 😂 Ain’t nobody gonna care unless someone goes viral or something.
True bro, fairground fights don’t really mean nothing in the long run unless someone gets lucky and gets picked up by a real promoter.
@Reynolds Steve still better than watching fake fights on social media tho 🤷♂️ At least these guys got records and fight for real.
Hackett moving up in weight after losing don’t sound smart at all. If he too small for cruiserweight, what’s he gonna do when he gets hit by bigger dudes?
Exactly! Just cause you fast don’t mean you can take punches from heavy hitters. He gonna find out real quick that speed ain’t everything 😬.
Belmontes coming back at 37 is just dumb. Boxing ain’t like riding a bike. If you ain’t been fighting for 9 years, you just gonna get hurt bad.
I don’t see the point of Ramirez doing this show if it’s not even about big title fights. It’s just some local guys with not much to prove. Feels like a waste.
Nah man, it’s smart. He’s making money and helping his people get noticed. You don’t need a world title on the line every time to make noise 🥊.