David Benavidez and Gilberto Ramirez will meet in Las Vegas on Saturday night for the Cinco de Mayo weekend, a clash that is difficult to predict given the potential weight disparity between the two fighters.
Benavidez Moves Up in Weight
David 'El Monstro' Benavidez and Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez share something in common besides competing for the latter's WBO cruiserweight title: both have been avoided by Mexican superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. While they would have preferred a Las Vegas date with Canelo, their showdown on Mexico's major public holiday is ample compensation.
Benavidez jumps 25 pounds to attempt a world title in a third weight division. Ramirez, who began his career as a middleweight 17 years ago, transitioned to cruiserweight in 2023 after a defeat to the great light heavyweight Dimitry Bivol and is now settled at the weight.
Benavidez was a career super middleweight before moving up to light heavyweight three fights ago. Old trainers would call him a weight cheat, drying himself out to make an artificial weight, then piling it back on before the first bell. It is guaranteed that when Benavidez entered the ring, he would be close to cruiserweight on fight night, which can make a significant difference. However, he will not have that strength advantage against Zurdo, a big, rangy southpaw made for this kind of duel.
Star Power vs. Experience
Unbeaten Benavidez brings the star power, but Zurdo will not be fazed by that. As seen against Chris Billam-Smith, he remained calm and collected as the away fighter during a brilliant encounter in Riyadh.
Benavidez overwhelms opponents with sheer volume of punches. The only way to stop that is to hit him hard and throw him off kilter. Zurdo has been a professional for half his life, embodying the Mexican experience. Nothing spooks him. He has filled out to his proper weight now, becoming a really accomplished, technical fighter, certainly the toughest assignment Benavidez has faced.
Key Questions
Can Benavidez walk forward without getting caught? Can he throw at the same rate? Will his punches have the same effectiveness at the higher weight class? He was a monster at super middleweight because he was a cruiserweight in the ring. Now, for the first time, a cruiserweight is hitting back.
Even at light heavyweight, Benavidez was not as effective, despite beating Anthony Yarde in seven rounds. He just did not look as explosive. Nevertheless, he is a tremendous fighter, the superstar in what is a pick 'em showdown.
Prediction
If pushed, I would go with Benavidez by decision. But do not be surprised to see Zurdo wear him down to edge it over the championship rounds.
