David Benavidez delivered one of the most emphatic statements of his career on Saturday, May 2, stopping Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez by sixth-round TKO and immediately turning his attention to Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez in a callout that electrified the crowd at T-Mobile Arena.
According to ESPN, the win crowned Benavidez a three-division world champion. Fighting at cruiserweight for the first time after holding titles at super middleweight and light heavyweight, Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) overwhelmed Ramirez with a relentless pace and precision that lived up to his “Mexican Monster” nickname.
From the opening bell, he controlled the distance, broke Ramirez down with combinations, and forced a stoppage at 2:59 of Round 6 after a final barrage left his opponent unable to continue.
The performance landed on a major stage during Cinco de Mayo weekend, traditionally dominated by Alvarez, and positioned Benavidez as a potential new face of Mexican boxing. At 29, he entered the bout already ranked among the sport’s pound-for-pound elite.
Benavidez didn’t hesitate to use the moment to call his shot. “I just want to give the fans what they want to see,” he said after the fight, acknowledging Alvarez ringside. “Do you guys want to see Canelo versus David Benavidez? … I respect Canelo. He’s a good champion. But I’m a great champion too. Let’s do it.”
Earlier, he had pointed to his offensive edge, adding, “My combination, my punch selection is unlike anything else.”
Ramirez (48-2, 30 KOs), who had previously unified titles at cruiserweight and entered on a four-fight win streak in the division, struggled to match Benavidez’s hand speed. The two shared history—Benavidez once sparred hundreds of rounds with Ramirez early in his career—but familiarity offered little advantage once the fight began.
Ramirez was dropped in the fourth round and eventually succumbed to sustained pressure in the sixth. He was later taken to a hospital for evaluation, with initial reports noting swelling but no confirmed fracture.
A potential showdown with Alvarez carries immediate intrigue, given his status as one of boxing’s biggest global stars and a former undisputed champion at super middleweight. At the same time, weight differences could complicate negotiations, with Benavidez now competing at cruiserweight after moving up from 168 pounds.
For now, Benavidez made it clear he’s chasing the biggest names available. Alongside Alvarez, he also identified Dmitry Bivol as a top target.
