During the initial press conference to announce this Saturday’s all-Mexican clash between Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez and David Benavidez, the latter’s father and trainer, Jose Benavidez Sr, said an interesting thing. “David Benavidez doesn’t just have to win. He has to show out to prove he can go after the Bivols and Beterbievs.”
While going on to reference his son as the ‘Mexican Monster’, describing the Ramirez fight as an expected explosive encounter and noting May 2 as the start of a new era, it is interesting that Jose Sr framed this history-making opportunity at cruiserweight as proof that young David can hang with the two Russian light heavyweights.
Having already fought twice, sitting at one apiece, it is hopefully inevitable that Dmitry Bivol (who meets Michael Eifert in an unwanted mandatory defence at the tail end of May) and Arthur Beterbiev meet for a trilogy straightener. Once the kingpin is decided, they will be searching for legitimate challengers and challenges. Step forward, David Benavidez.
David Benavidez to prove he’s in his boxing prime vs. Zurdo
Arguably at the peak of his powers, Benavidez’s move up to cruiser may have been part of the search for his own challenges, yet victory over Ramirez will serve as a flex of its own. Daring Bivol or Beterbiev to step in with him at 175 pounds. Desperate to prove that he was once the future but is now one of the stars of the present.
David Benavidez vs. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will box for the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles on May 2, marking the first-ever Mexican vs. Mexican world title fight above 168 pounds. This fight is history in the making.
According to Zurdo’s trainer, Julian Chua, Benavidez and Ramirez will simply be picking up where they left off in previous “pay-per-view worthy” spars. In the build-up, there has been much talk of heritage and history. Famous Cinco de Mayo names checked. Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, Canelo, and Oscar De La Hoya (by himself) were all mentioned as a means of hyping up the fight at the top table.
“He’s the monster. He’s different. He used to beat up a lot of sparring partners. Now we’re here, we’re two warriors and we’re making history,” said Ramirez, when asked about his opponent.
There has been no bad blood; they know and seem to like each other. No slaps and swipes, just healthy respect but fierce determination to get the job done in Vegas.
Ramirez added, “I know Team Benavidez, they actually helped me a lot for my first world title fight. We’re gonna make this an exciting fight. At the end of the day, the titles are staying with Zurdo.”
Once upon a time, Benavidez was busy blowing people out of the water at super-middleweight. Still effective at light-heavyweight, the dominant finishes dried up, even though he remained undefeated. How cruiserweight will suit him remains to be seen.
Ramirez himself has trodden a similar pathway, having started at 168 pounds before easing off on the dietary restrictions and blowing into a fully-fledged (yet slightly soft) 200-pound fighter. His southpaw skills and work rate have been retained.
David Benavidez remembers the previously referenced sparring sessions well, back when his next opponent was rigorously preparing for a fight with Arthur Abraham.
“Zurdo is a top fighter. He’s a great fighter. I was helping him get ready for Arthur Abraham and we had some great sessions. I knew he was gonna be one of those guys who would be around for a long time. Eventually we were gonna do this,” Bena buzzed.
“If Zurdo wins, his stock goes up. There’s greatness on the other side of that tunnel for both of us. So we’re gonna come extremely prepared.
“I feel like I’m on the cusp of being the face of boxing.”
If not THE face of boxing, at least a face that Bivol and Beterbiev will immediately recognise when writing up their opposition list.
Gilberto Ramirez vs David Benavidez is part of a fantastic weekend of boxing action that includes Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani in Japan.
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