Benavidez trounces 'Zurdo' by TKO, sets sights on Canelo, Bivol - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — David Benavidez turned in a star-making performance with a brutal sixth-round stoppage of Gilberto «Zurdo» Ramirez to capture the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.

Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) moved up to cruiserweight after winning world titles at super middleweight and light heavyweight, and he became a three-division world champion with a violent performance that proved he was worthy of the «Mexican Monster» nickname that Mike Tyson gave him.

«My combination, my punch selection is unlike anything else,» Benavidez said. «Whoever it is, man, I don't care who it is: Nobody can f--- with me.»

Benavidez, 29, entered the fight as ESPN's No. 5 pound-for-pound fighter but had long sought to take over the Mexican holidays from Canelo Alvarez, whom he has spent years trying to secure a fight against.

Against Ramirez, 34, Benavidez got his opportunity to headline on Cinco De Mayo weekend against a fellow Mexican. And the performance Benavidez turned in on Saturday suggests he might be the new face of Mexican boxing.

Ramirez (48-2, 30 KOs) had previously tasted defeat only once in his career, dropping a wide decision to Dmitry Bivol in 2022 when he challenged for the WBA light heavyweight title. Ramirez had found success as a cruiserweight, winning four consecutive fights and becoming the unified champion with wins over Chris Billam-Smith and Arsen Goulamirian. But Ramirez was no match for Benavidez and his superior hand speed.

«I knew that the combination was going to be able to land easy,» Benavidez said.

Still, the way Benavidez broke Ramirez down was eye-opening. He consistently tore into his opponent with combinations, blasting Ramirez with punches that wowed the fans in attendance.

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