Ramirez is WBA champion at 200lbs, having previously reigned at super-middleweight. The Mexican picked up the cruiserweight title in March when he beat Arsen Goulamirian on points and he now fights as a champion in the division for the first time. The 33-year-old boasts a professional record of 46-1, with that sole defeat coming when he challenged Dmitry Bivol at light-heavyweight two years ago. Ramirez went the full 12 rounds with one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, but lost a unanimous decision. Promoter Ben Shalom has insisted victory for his fighter Billam-Smith would leave him on the road to undisputed glory, with IBF champion Jai Opetaia next on the wishlist.

Earlier in the night, Oscar Collazo puts his WBO minimumweight world title on the line against Thammanoon Niyomtrong, in what is his fourth defence of that belt. Former unified light-welterweight champion Jose Ramirez, who was beaten by Josh Taylor in 2021, continues his rebuild back towards the top of the sport, fighting the undefeated Arnold Barbosa Jr. The promotion of “Latino Night” card makes it clear that Billam-Smith is not billed as the star attraction for Saturday night’s main event. That will not bother him, though, with the British fighter a laid-back character and not one who will be craving all the attention that comes with these Riyadh Season events.