Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
-
Andres Hale
Multiple authors
David Benavidez moves up to the cruiserweight division to challenge WBA and WBO champion Gilberto “Jurdo” Ramirez on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (PBC PPV on Prime Video, 8 p.m. ET).
Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) is a former super middleweight and light heavyweight champion. After his quest for a megafight with Canelo Alvarez never implemented, He continues his climb up the weight class In pursuit of a three-division title. He enters the battle Seventh-round TKO of Anthony Yarde In November, his seventh stoppage in his past 10 bouts.
Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) is a two-division champion who won a super middleweight title before moving up to light heavyweight and eventually cruiserweight. He captured the WBA cruiserweight belt against Arsene Goulamirian in March 2024, adding the WBO title to it. Win over Chris Billam-Smith Eight months later and in June 2025, Uniel most successfully defended both belts against Dorticos.
While Benavidez will be making his cruiserweight debut, Ramirez will be entering his fifth fight at 200 pounds. Benavidez is five years younger, but both stand 6-foot-2, with Ramirez having a half-inch reach advantage.
Could Ramirez’s experience at weight be a factor in the decision? Can he take the pressure off Benvidez and take over in the next round? Or can Benavidez take hold too quickly and relentlessly?
Three former champions break down the matchup and give their predictions.
Ray Beltran, former lightweight champion
How will Ramirez win?
Anything is possible in a fight, but Benavidez needs to be sick or injured for Ramirez to win. I don’t see how Ramirez wins the fight without something horribly wrong for Benavidez. Ramirez doesn’t have the speed to deal with Benavidez, who is going to be too fast for anyone in this weight class. Ramirez is very skilled, but speed is going to be his biggest problem. You have to be quick enough to react to Benavidez’s punches. We haven’t seen Benavidez really challenged where he has to adjust and box his way to victory. Ramirez needs to figure out something no one else has, and that is to slow down Benavidez.
How did Benavidez win?
He just has to be himself. If Benvidez goes out there and does what he does, I don’t see it being competitive. He is very good as a very precise puncher who is busy with very quick hands. He’s a high-volume puncher, and that will ultimately make Ramirez fade in the later rounds as he’ll have a really hard time picking up Benavidez’s rhythm and keeping up with all the punches coming his way.
Prediction: Benavidez pauses.
Sergio Mora, retired former junior middleweight champion, current broadcast analyst
How will Ramirez win?
He needs to use the same style he’s been showing since moving up to cruiserweight: use his feet and jab. He needs to use the jab efficiently and work mostly on the outside before trying to work things on the inside to land his power punches. He’s not fighting another cruiserweight, but a truly blossoming super middleweight. Ramirez needs to believe he’s the weight class bully, not Benavidez. Ramirez needs to stand his ground and Benavidez needs to fight toe to toe or he’s going to get punked and run.
His defense must be perfect. If Ramirez can create a scenario where he can stop Benavidez from breaking through his guard, he can potentially tire him out. Ramirez is a big, strong cruiserweight and must have a solid guard, which could cost Benavidez all of his power. He just has to hope that Benavidez gets tired. Once the steam punches are off, Ramirez can find openings to counter, go to the body and back Benavidez up. Ramirez will have to find a way to build his confidence against the aggressive Benavidez.
How did Benavidez win?
He has to disrespect the champion. Benavidez is a no-nonsense fighter who likes to push his opponents around. He doesn’t need to use the jab as much and can instead work his way inside using his lead right hand and upper body movement. That right hand would bait Ramirez to open up, thinking he could counter, creating opportunities for Benavidez to unleash his combinations. He must force Ramirez to make mistakes.
Benavidez has a frame reminiscent of the late two-division champion Diego Corrales — long arms, narrow shoulders and the ability to throw hard punches without relying too much on waist torque. But he’s a lot faster than Corrales, and I don’t think we’ve seen anything like him. He also has a bit of Roy Jones Jr. in him, where he does things his opponents don’t expect. He carries power on the end of his punches and uses his high volume to eventually break his opponent’s guard. All that volume will be too much for Ramirez if Benavidez can last 12 rounds.
Prediction: Benavidez decided.
Sean Porter, retired former welterweight champion, current broadcast analyst
How will Ramirez win?
He matches Benavidez in size and perhaps strength, but he is not a physical boxer. His style should stay ahead of you, but he needs to find a way to be more aggressive, although we haven’t seen that from him. Ramirez is a championship-caliber fighter but he’s going up against an opponent who is on another level as a champion. I don’t know how, but Ramirez needs to find a way to be physical and not let Benavidez push him around.
How did Benavidez win?
Benavidez has a wider margin of victory than Ramirez. The punches Benavidez throws will work against Ramirez, and I don’t think Ramirez can hit him with the punches he throws. I also don’t think Ramirez is fast enough or strong enough to push Benavidez back. This could be a lot like every fight we’ve seen from Benavidez: starting in the middle of the ring and moving wherever Benavidez wants. What sounded like a fun and exciting fight when it was first announced could still be fun and exciting but a very one-sided fight for Benavidez.
Prediction: Benavidez decided.
