David Benavidez is one win away from doing something no fighter has done — but Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez is right in front of him.
The unbeaten two-division champion can add another weight class to his run on Saturday night in Las Vegas, a stat presented by Premier Boxing Champions to media at the workout despite Badou Jack holding claim to similar not long ago.
That framing proves just how hard PBC are pushing Benavidez, who wants to make history before he walks away from the sport a legend.
Benavidez isn’t treating this like just another fight. Everything he’s been building toward comes down to winning here.
Ramirez threat
The unified cruiserweight champion brings size, experience and a style that has posed huge problems for almost every fighter he’s opposed. While Benavidez is pushing toward something bigger, Ramirez only needs one night to shut it down.
Benavidez wants to measure himself against Dmitry Bivol, who defeated Ramirez unanimously in 2022. If ‘The Mexican Monster’ can do the same and then meet Bivol in the ring himself, his legacy extends further.
As the talk already drifts past Saturday, reports that Canelo Alvarez could be in attendance brought back a sour taste for Benavidez.
Once Canelo was mentioned, the mood in the room changed as Benavidez said Canelo’s potential attendance in Las Vegas means nothing if the fight never happens.
His father, Jose Benavidez Sr., went further, warning that if he did show up, his son would “send him to the hospital.”
But before any of that matters, Ramirez is the first step, and he’s not there to be part of someone else’s moment.
‘Zurdo’ promised to defend his titles and inflict a first loss on Benavidez before a run at heavyweight which Ramirez has spoken to World Boxing News about many times.
Mexico vs Mexico
The clash lands on Cinco de Mayo weekend with two Mexican fighters at the top of the card.
Jaime Munguia vs Armando Resendiz and Oscar Duarte vs Angel Fierro sit underneath the headliner, keeping the same tone across the night.
For Benavidez, everything he’s been talking about only holds up if he gets through Ramirez on Saturday night.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. His work is distributed across major platforms, including Apple News. Read full bio.
