LAS VEGAS – David Benavídez arrived at the weigh-in ceremony this Friday as if the fight was going to happen right away: white boxing shorts, boots with a special design and, especially, with the energy of someone who can’t wait for their big occasion.
Then, the 29-year-old man, who is undefeated in professional boxing (31-0), incited the audience gathered outside the MGM Big to chant together and on the count of three: “Moooonstruoooo…”.
The so-called “Mexican Monster” is ready to go for the biggest victory of his career. After years of being eluded by Canelo Álvarez, Benavídez gains 25 pounds to try to be crowned world cruise champion.
Your rival is someone with whom you have done sparring and in fact they have a good friendship. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez, 34, will be making the second defense of his title world. The man from Mazatlán arrives with an impressive record of Forty eight-1, his only loss being the one he suffered in 2022 against Dmitry Bivol, the enormous Russian fighter who also defeated Saúl Álvarez.
The fight is seen as an unmissable dish, regardless of the fact that on this Cinco de Mayo weekend the usual ones of the date are not present: Mayweather, Pacquiao and more recently Canelo.
In a very rare scene in boxing, “Zurdo” Ramírez and David Benavídez arrived practically together – one almost side by side – at the weigh-in ceremony. Because of the neatly-liked, the fighters do not approach each other; are avoided. There was no interaction between them, but there was after passing the scale.
The “Zurdo” gave exactly 200 pounds and then sat down with a look of exhaustion. while a ranchera music group enlivened the ceremony. Benavídez, for his part, registered 196.8 pounds and looked fresh not having to cut weight in this camp like when he was in the lower divisions. The Phoenix native won super middleweight and light heavyweight titles.
After completing the procedure, they faced each other for the last time before the lawsuit and gave each other a hug. Respect is total between them. The excitement of making history and adding to their respective legacies is overwhelming. And the responsibility of meeting the public on Saturday night at the T-Cell Arena, which will be packed, is undeniable.
De la Hoya expects a knockout, for one or the other
The fight between Benavídez and Ramírez has all the ingredients to be spectacular. From a tactical point of view, it is fascinating: a bigger and more powerful man, although less mobile, facing a punching machine. Power versus speed.
Throughout their careers, both have been a guarantee of entertainment in the ring.
“Zurdo calculates his punches, he doesn’t throw many punches, he hits hard and has a good jaw,” summarized Óscar de la Hoya, Mazatlan’s promoter. “Benavídez throws a lot of punches, but he’s getting a little tired.”
In a conversation with La Opinión, the “Golden Boy” pointed out the way in which Ramírez can win the biggest fight of his life.
“I think that if ‘Zurdo’ calculates it well when Benavídez is throwing his punches, because Benavídez is a good ‘in’, he can shake him and knock him out.”
De la Hoya, the man who turned Cinco de Mayo weekend into the biggest in boxing with his numerous megafights against several of the best in history, he assured that Benavídez can knock out Ramírez with volleys of blows that force the referee to intervene, or that “Zurdo” can take away the undefeated streak from the aggressive Mexican-American with a cannon shot that knocks him down.
“This fight does not go by decision,” was his sentence.
In betting, David Benavídez is marked as a wide favorite to win with odds of up to -390that is, to win 1 you must risk 3.9. Ramírez is the “underdog” by around +300 (for 3 for every 1).
Armando Reséndiz and Jaime Munguía are ready
In the co-main event, Armando “Toro” Reséndiz, from Guayabitos, Nayarit, will defend his WBA super middleweight title against Jaime Munguía, from Tijuana. Analysts believe that this fight between Mexicans could be as good as the stellar clash.
Reséndiz (16-2), registered 167 pounds (one below the limit), while Munguía (forty five-2), gave 167.4.
Both looked in tremendous physical shape this Friday, with Munguía – who trains under Eddy Reynoso – animated and challenging, while Reséndiz provoked the fans by “digging” with his foot like bulls do with their paw in a sign of attack. And that is expected in the ring.
It is the great opportunity for Munguía to return to the title, two years after having fallen in the same scenario this Saturday against Saúl Álvarez.
Keep reading:
– JC Chávez believes that “Zurdo” Ramírez will scare “Monster” Benavídez
– David Benavídez only thinks about “Zurdo” and being the new face of boxing
– The emotional reunion of Óscar de la Hoya and Julio César Chávez in Las Vegas
