Gilberto Ramirez dominates Gevorg Khatchikian on truTV; Saul Rodriguez impresses

LAS VEGAS - Gilberto Ramirez risked his mandatory status as the WBO's No. 1 super middleweight contender, but it didn't matter.

The 24-year-old Mexican dominated Gevorg Khatchikian on Friday en route to a unanimous decision by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 100-90. The bout was the main event of truTV's series from The Cosmopolitan.

"I tried to knock him out," Ramirez (33-0, 24 KOs) said. "I did my best. He was more active in the ring tonight than the video we watched before the fight. I'm ready to fight for the title, but I have to speak to my team first. He caught me with some good punches but I kept going to the body as I planned."

Ramirez and Khatchikian traded over the first few rounds and the Netherlands resident was able to wobble his foe in Round 3. But he didn't find success afterward. Ramirez, a tall 168-pounder at 6-foot-2 1/2 inches, didn't use his superior size, but instead elected to come forward and apply non-stop pressure. He was able to dig to the body, and land many crushing left hooks from his southpaw stance.

"This wasn't my night, he's very active," Khatchikian (23-2, 11 KOs) said. "He's very busy with his punches. He moves well."

Ramirez is now in line for the winner of Saturday's title fight between Arthur Abraham and Martin Murray in Germany. Whether he's ready is another story.

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In the televised co-feature, junior lightweight prospect Saul Rodriguez (19-0-1, 14 KOs) knocked out Ivan Najera (16-2, 8 KOs) in the opening round. The undefeated fighter dropped Najera with a short left hand, and then followed up with a combination of shots to end matters at 2:06.

"He's a monster," trainer Robert Garcia said. "He's the next best guy to come out of my gym."

Hot prospect Felix Verdejo fought Najera in his HBO debut over the summer, but went the distance.