David Benavidez delivered a spectacular performance on Saturday night, with Canelo Alvarez watching from ringside, as he moved up a full 25 pounds to dominate his former sparring partner Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez. The bout, held at the T‑Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, saw Benavidez knock Ramirez down twice, culminating in a decisive knockout late in the sixth round that earned him both the WBA and WBO cruiserweight championships.
By achieving this feat, Benavidez became the first fighter in modern boxing history to capture world titles at three distinct weight classes—168 pounds (super middleweight), 175 pounds (light heavyweight), and now 200 pounds (cruiserweight). Entering the fight with an immaculate record of 32 wins, 26 by way of knockout, Benavidez not only preserved his unbeaten streak but also demonstrated why he entered the contest as the overwhelming favorite over the seasoned veteran Ramirez, who came in with a 48‑2 record and 30 knockouts.
The loss marked the first time Ramirez had ever been stopped inside the distance, and it occurred in dramatic fashion at the famed Las Vegas venue. After the stoppage, Ramirez was escorted to a nearby hospital for a head scan.
Jane Murcia, communications director for Golden Boy Promotions, confirmed that Ramirez was in good spirits despite a swollen eye, adding that doctors had not yet identified any fractures. Benavidez has long expressed a desire to face Canelo Alvarez, and this victory gave him yet another platform to press the demand. While Alvarez has repeatedly declined, citing various scheduling and promotional hurdles, Benavidez seized the moment to address the crowd directly. "I see Canelo in the building," the Mexican Monster declared, pausing to let the audience react.
"Do you guys want to see Canelo versus David Benavidez?" The arena erupted in a roar, reinforcing the boxer’s popularity and the public’s appetite for a showdown between the two Mexican stars. He continued, "Enough said.
That means we can’t leave that fight on the table. I have respect for Canelo.
He’s a great champion. I’m a great champion, too. Let’s do it." Benavidez even offered to drop back down to light‑heavyweight if that would facilitate the matchup.
"I’m still champion at 175," he said. "I’m champion at 175 and 200.
So if they want to come get it at 175, let’s get it at 175." Throughout the fight, Benavidez displayed the rapid‑fire combinations that have become his signature, constantly targeting Ramirez’s head with a flurry of punches. In the fourth round, a powerful right hand staggered Ramirez, prompting Benavidez to press for a finish. Ramirez survived the round but was forced to take a knee at its conclusion, marking his first knockdown of the night. Two rounds later, the Mexican Monster repeated the tactic; Ramirez again went down on a knee, and the referee halted the contest, awarding Benavidez a technical knockout.
Reflecting on the bout, Benavidez praised his opponent, noting the mutual history they shared. "We came up together," he said.
"We sparred together. I helped him get ready for his world championship fights, and he helped me get ready for mine.
I love Zurdo Ramirez, but there can only be one ‘Monster’ in this ring." He also acknowledged the challenge of moving up to 200 pounds for the first time. "I knew I wasn’t going to be able to overpower him because it was my first time at 200 pounds. So I relied on the gifts God gave me—speed, power, movement, punch selection and ring IQ.
That’s exactly what I did." The event’s co‑main attraction featured a WBA super‑middleweight title bout in which Jaime Munguía (46‑2, 35 KOs) upset the defending champion Armando Reséndiz (16‑3, 11 KOs) via a commanding unanimous decision. Munguía, a former WBO junior middleweight champion, dictated the pace from the opening bell and secured scores of 117‑111, 119‑109 and 120‑108. After the fight, Munguéa expressed his enthusiasm for the future, stating, "It feels great to have this championship belt with me, but this is just the beginning.
I’m excited for what comes next. We are ready for big challenges and great fights." Benavidez’s triumph not only adds two world titles to his résumé but also solidifies his status as a rising megastar in the sport.
The victory showcases his ability to adapt to a higher weight class while maintaining the speed and precision that have defined his career. As fans and analysts speculate about a potential showdown with Canelo Alvarez, the boxing world watches closely to see whether the two Mexican champions will finally meet inside the ropes.
In the meantime, Benavidez’s confidence, willingness to adjust his weight, and outspoken demand for a fight keep the conversation alive, ensuring that the next chapter of his career will be followed with keen interest by enthusiasts worldwide.