Unified world cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) has confirmed the first All-Mexican showdown in the cruiserweight division against undefeated, two-division world champion David “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) on Cinco de Mayo weekend, Saturday night, May 2, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Last month, Ramirez resumed training at Brickhouse Boxing Club in North Hollywood, California, following right shoulder surgery this past July. Before the native of Mazatlán, Mexico takes on Benavidez, “Zurdo” will defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Cruiserweight World and World Boxing Organization (WBO) Junior Heavyweight World championship titles against fight Robin Sirwan Safar (19-0, 13 KOs) on January 16 in Palm Desert, California.
The 32-year-old Safar, a native of Sweden now living in Las Vegas, won his most recent fight on Nov. 8, when he decisioned previously undefeated Derick Miller Jr. (18-0) in Fort Worth, Texas. Safar upset five-time world champion Sergey Kovalev in 2024 by way of a 10-round unanimous decision to get into the world title hunt. This will mark Ramirez’ 50th pro fight during his illustrious career.
Ramirez, 34, last fought on June 28 in which he won a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs) to position himself for a possible 2026 unification fight with Jai Opetaia (29-0, 22 KOs), the International Boxing Federation and Ring Magazine world champion, or wait to unify versus the winner of the December 3rd match between WBC title holder Badou Jack (29-3-3, 18 KOs) and former WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian (27-3, 12 KOs).
Instead, Ramirez chose to fight Benavidez, the reigning WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion who will be moving up in weight to challenge Ramirez in what could very well be an instant classic.
“I’m excited about this fight, and this is something I’ve targeted for years. It will be your classic Mexican versus Mexican/American (Benavidez) war,” Ramirez said, emphasizing the long-standing buildup behind the matchup. “I’m familiar with David and his team and have shared the gym and ring with them in the past. They’re great people, but business is business, and come May, I will have my arm raised.”
When asked about Opetaia and his recent outburst, Ramirez didn’t hold back, countered with: “I’m after the biggest fights possible and I want to make sure I’m fighting the best. To be honest, I didn’t even know who Opetaia was until recently. Someone told me some things he said, and I think he might have rocks for brains. This guy hasn’t impressed me at all; he’s fought a bunch of cannon fodders to get to where he is. All these outbursts and spreading lies – saying he called my phone – reminds me of all my ex-girlfriends.”
Benavidez, 28, was born in Phoenix but his father is from Mexico and David holds dual citizenships. He stopped Anthony Yarde (27-3) this past Saturday in the seventh round. He has defeated former world champions Demetrious Andrade, Anthony Dirrell, David Lemieux, Caleb Plant and Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
Ramirez vs. Benavidez has the potential to be the leading match-up of Mexican descent fighters since 2010, when Erik Morales fought Marco Antonio Barrera.
