David Benavidez became the first boxer to win championships at 168, 175 and 200 pounds, pounding his former sparring partner Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, knocking him out at 2:59 of the sixth round to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles on Saturday night.
Quiet, cool conditions return to southeast Georgia, northeast Florida, after much-needed rainThe burned out remains of the Wedding Chapel at covenant acres is seen near the Brantley Highway 82 fire, Thursday, April 23, 2026, near Nahunta, Ga.
Pedestrian, driver killed in separate early morning crashes in JacksonvilleDavid Benavidez reacts after knocking down Gilberto Ramirez in a cruiserweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. David Benavidez punches Gilberto Ramirez in a cruiserweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. Thomas Taylor gives a count to Gilberto Ramirez in a cruiserweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Las Vegas.
David Benavidez talks to media after his victory over Gilberto Ramirez, not pictured, in a cruiserweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. Jaime Munguia punches Armando Resendiz in a super middleweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. David Benavidez reacts after knocking down Gilberto Ramirez in a cruiserweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Las Vegas.
– David Benavidez hasn't given up the dream of facing Canelo Alvarez — and now he might have leverage. Benavidez put on a show with Alvarez sitting ringside on Saturday night, moving up 25 pounds in weight and dominating former sparring partner Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.
He twice sent Ramirez to the canvas, including knocking him out at 2:59 of the sixth round to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles and become the first boxer to win championships at 168, 175 and 200 pounds. Benavidez not only remained undefeated, but showed why he was a -600 favorite over Ramirez .
Ramirez was taken to a hospital to receive a head scan, according to Jane Murcia, communications director for Golden Boy Promotions.
“He’s in good spirits and has a swollen eye,” Murcia said. “There’s no determination of a fracture at this point. ” In the co-main event, WBA super middleweight championship fight, Jaime Munguía upset title holder Armando Reséndiz by winning a resounding unanimous decision. Reséndiz was a -200 favorite, but Munguía — the former WBO junior middleweight champ — was the aggressor from the start and won by scores of 117-111, 119-109 and 120-108.
“It feels great to have this championship belt with me, but this is just the beginning," Munguía said. "I’m excited for what comes next. We are ready for big challenges and great fights. ” Benavidez has chased Canelo with hopes of setting up a showdown, but Alvarez never agreed to it and it has been looking unlikely to happen.
“I see Canelo in the building. Let me just ask the fans this. Do you guys want to see Canelo versus David Benavidez?
" the man known as “The Mexican Monster” asked, drawing a roar from the crowd. “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. ”“I’m still champion at 175," Benavidez said.
“I’m champion at 175 and 200. So if they want to come get it at 175, let’s get it at 175. ” Boxing fans, or least those who support Benavidez, haven't forgotten how Canelo has yet to take on the match. Alvarez, wearing a black Munguía T-shirt, was booed all three times he was shown on the large video board.
Benavidez, who was born in Phoenix and lives in Miami, later was cheered while shown going through prefight preparations. He then gave his fans plenty more to cheer about and they reciprocated by regularly chanting his nickname “Monstruo” in the Cinco de Mayo weekend showcase fight. Benavidez, even when being backed down by Ramirez, delivered his signature rapid-fire combinations, usually pelting his opponent's head.
A right hand to Ramirez's head in the fourth staggered him, and Benavidez went for the knockout but settled for the knockdown at the end of the round when Zurdo went down to his left knee.
“We came up together," Benavidez said. "We came up sparring together. I got him ready for his world championship fights. He got me ready for my world championship fights.
I just want to say I love Zurdo Ramirez, but, you know, it is what it is in here. There’s only one ‘Monster. ’” And now the 29-year-old Benavidez can make a credible argument after dominating the 34-year-old Mexican that he one of the sport's best pound-for-pound boxers if not right at the top. According to Compubox, he landed 151 punches at a 46.2% to 89 for Ramirez, who reached his target on 19.8% of attempts.
The power punches were 137-64 and the percentage 56.8-27.7.
“I knew I wasn’t going to be able to overpower him because it was my first time coming up to 200 pounds," Benavidez said. “So I knew I had to use the gifts that God gave me: speed, power, movement, punch selection and IQ. That’s exactly what I did. ”Copyright 2026 The Associated Press.
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