Gilberto Ramirez vs. David Benavidez | PBC PPV - May 2, 2026

[Ruthless-RKO]

DAVID BENAVIDEZ ANNOUNCES FIGHT AGAINST GILBERTO RAMIREZ ON MAY 2, LAS VEGAS LIKELY

A bout between David Benavidez and Gilberto Ramirez has been talked about over the last year, and now it appears to be a reality.

Shortly after the WBC light heavyweight champion Benavidez defended his title and stopped Anthony Yarde in seven rounds while headlining “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” card in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, “The Mexican Monster” announced his next forthcoming matchup against “Zurdo.”

Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) said he is ready to step up to a new weight class and is set to square off against the WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) on May 2. Benavidez alluded that the location of the fight would be in Las Vegas.

At the moment, it’s not yet known if Ramirez is set to move forward with his planned tune-up tilt on January 16. Ramirez has been planning to shake off the cobwebs following shoulder surgery this summer, shortly after scoring a unanimous decision win against Yuniel Dorticos in June. Ramirez, from Mexico, is currently in camp training in Los Angeles.

The Mexican-American Benavidez appeared to exit his bout against Yarde (27-4, 24 KOs) mostly unscathed to make it in time for his Cinco De Mayo Weekend matchup.

“It’s definitely what I expected,” Benavidez said in the ring after stopping Yarde while outlanding him 159 to 58 in a one-sided fight.

“When I signed to fight Anthony Yarde, I said, ‘Oh man, this is gonna be a war.’ And this is what I dreamt about, you know, both of us going to war. I think he cut me in round six and I said, ‘You want a shootout? Let’s go for it, then.’ And you see what I did. He stepped into Monstruo’s world and he got KOd.”

A bout between Benavidez and Ramirez features a highly marketable matchup between fighters with Mexican heritage who are cordial and friendly with one another.

“Of course the [Benavidez] fight, people want to see,” Ramirez told The Ring earlier this year as the fight increasingly became a possibility.

“He's a great champion and a pound-for-pound fighter. Why not if he wants it too. We're friends, and I know his family, but if the money is right, we can make the fight happen. We've had amazing sparring sessions together that were pay per view worthy on its own. We can have a great fight against each other. It would be a fight of the year, like Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Juan Manuel Marquez – two Mexicans just throwing down with a lot of exciting punches.

“If he wants to move up to cruiserweight, we can make the fight happen. For me, I don't have a problem fighting a Mexican. I can fight anyone. I'm a fighter. That's what I do – fight.”

In a separate interview with The Ring this year, Jose Benavidez Sr., the father and trainer of David, said his son was ready for a fight against Ramirez.

“We can move up to cruiserweight to face Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez,” Benavidez Sr. told The Ring. “It would be an honor to face Zurdo. He's a great friend and fighter. That's what friends are for. Why not fight each other? We'll get to make money together. If it was up to me, I would love to face Bivol, then fight Beterbiev and then fight Zurdo Ramirez. That would be my dream and something we would like … At this point, David feels really good. He has the height for it. He feels good at 168, 175, and he can go to cruiserweight as well. He's right in the middle, and it's all about adjusting up or down.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Isn’t this a bit of a slap in the face for someone like Jai?

He’s just not getting the fights and then someone moving up in weight get a shot.

[joshj909]

Isn’t this a bit of a slap in the face for someone like Jai?

He’s just not getting the fights and then someone moving up in weight get a shot.

Or Jai's not pushing hard enough for them?

Since moving to the weightclass, Zurdo has faced Smith Jr, Goulamirian, Billam-Smith and Dorticos and that's not mentioning who he has faced before moving up. In that time, Opetaia has faced Thompson, Zorro, Briedis (old, inactive and already beaten), Massey, Nyika, Sqeuo and Cinkara coming up. If Opetaia wanted a big fight with Benavidez, why isn't he going for the next best option? Or even the third best? Take Briedis out of his resume (still a good scalp) and he's only crushed can crushers with flattering win ratios but no relevant scalps.

I would not be surprised if Opetaia's next opponent is the Jack/Mikaeljan winner. It's a unification but it's another easy fight.

[gregregegg]

Isn’t this a bit of a slap in the face for someone like Jai?

He’s just not getting the fights and then someone moving up in weight get a shot.

Or Jai's not pushing hard enough for them?

Since moving to the weightclass, Zurdo has faced Smith Jr, Goulamirian, Billam-Smith and Dorticos and that's not mentioning who he has faced before moving up. In that time, Opetaia has faced Thompson, Zorro, Briedis (old, inactive and already beaten), Massey, Nyika, Sqeuo and Cinkara coming up. If Opetaia wanted a big fight with Benavidez, why isn't he going for the next best option? Or even the third best? Take Briedis out of his resume (still a good scalp) and he's only crushed can crushers with flattering win ratios but no relevant scalps.

I would not be surprised if Opetaia's next opponent is the Jack/Mikaeljan winner. It's a unification but it's another easy fight.

2022 Briedis would have stopped Ramirez and his entire resume…. “Already beaten” to try undermine it seems silly when that MD vs Usyk was one of the single best performances on any weight class over the last decade… it was arguably going close (ish) with the p4p best guy of an era, in his prime, at his perfect weight…

Absolutely the rest of jais resume has been poor, but briadis was a top class win.

[joshj909]

Isn’t this a bit of a slap in the face for someone like Jai?

He’s just not getting the fights and then someone moving up in weight get a shot.

Or Jai's not pushing hard enough for them?

Since moving to the weightclass, Zurdo has faced Smith Jr, Goulamirian, Billam-Smith and Dorticos and that's not mentioning who he has faced before moving up. In that time, Opetaia has faced Thompson, Zorro, Briedis (old, inactive and already beaten), Massey, Nyika, Sqeuo and Cinkara coming up. If Opetaia wanted a big fight with Benavidez, why isn't he going for the next best option? Or even the third best? Take Briedis out of his resume (still a good scalp) and he's only crushed can crushers with flattering win ratios but no relevant scalps.

I would not be surprised if Opetaia's next opponent is the Jack/Mikaeljan winner. It's a unification but it's another easy fight.

2022 Briedis would have stopped Ramirez and his entire resume…. “Already beaten” to try undermine it seems silly when that MD vs Usyk was one of the single best performances on any weight class over the last decade… it was arguably going close (ish) with the p4p best guy of an era, in his prime, at his perfect weight…

Absolutely the rest of jais resume has been poor, but briadis was a top class win.

What that I said isn't true? He had already beaten him, he was 39 and hadn't fought in 2 years. I also said it's a good scalp, which it is, but it isn't another one. It just reaffirms that he can beat Briedis. He can't dine out on one opponent for his entire career when others are facing legit opponents.

[gregregegg]

Or Jai's not pushing hard enough for them?

Since moving to the weightclass, Zurdo has faced Smith Jr, Goulamirian, Billam-Smith and Dorticos and that's not mentioning who he has faced before moving up. In that time, Opetaia has faced Thompson, Zorro, Briedis (old, inactive and already beaten), Massey, Nyika, Sqeuo and Cinkara coming up. If Opetaia wanted a big fight with Benavidez, why isn't he going for the next best option? Or even the third best? Take Briedis out of his resume (still a good scalp) and he's only crushed can crushers with flattering win ratios but no relevant scalps.

I would not be surprised if Opetaia's next opponent is the Jack/Mikaeljan winner. It's a unification but it's another easy fight.

2022 Briedis would have stopped Ramirez and his entire resume…. “Already beaten” to try undermine it seems silly when that MD vs Usyk was one of the single best performances on any weight class over the last decade… it was arguably going close (ish) with the p4p best guy of an era, in his prime, at his perfect weight…

Absolutely the rest of jais resume has been poor, but briadis was a top class win.

What that I said isn't true? He had already beaten him, he was 39 and hadn't fought in 2 years. I also said it's a good scalp, which it is, but it isn't another one. It just reaffirms that he can beat Briedis. He can't dine out on one opponent for his entire career when others are facing legit opponents.

well the first time the fought he was 37, he had fought 9 months earlier..

its not untrue that he had already been beaten, but it was an odd addition, that wasnt there for ramierez guys... thats only real purpose was to undermine the win, even though the loss he had had was a top top top class preformance.

If you wanna bracket meanly ramerez resume shoudl read:
-joe smith jr (not a real cruiser fight coming of a 14 month layoff and a horrific KO loss),
-arsen gouulam a 'world champ' that had arguably never beat a top 50 (and if he had it was 6 years prior),
-Billam smith (solid win although briadis would still beat the piss out of him),
-dorticus (had been effectivly inactive for 5 years since been outclassed by briadis)

Is that actualy better than jais last few years?

[joshj909]

2022 Briedis would have stopped Ramirez and his entire resume…. “Already beaten” to try undermine it seems silly when that MD vs Usyk was one of the single best performances on any weight class over the last decade… it was arguably going close (ish) with the p4p best guy of an era, in his prime, at his perfect weight…

Absolutely the rest of jais resume has been poor, but briadis was a top class win.

What that I said isn't true? He had already beaten him, he was 39 and hadn't fought in 2 years. I also said it's a good scalp, which it is, but it isn't another one. It just reaffirms that he can beat Briedis. He can't dine out on one opponent for his entire career when others are facing legit opponents.

well the first time the fought he was 37, he had fought 9 months earlier..

its not untrue that he had already been beaten, but it was an odd addition, that wasnt there for ramierez guys... thats only real purpose was to undermine the win, even though the loss he had had was a top top top class preformance.

If you wanna bracket meanly ramerez resume shoudl read:
-joe smith jr (not a real cruiser fight coming of a 14 month layoff and a horrific KO loss),
-arsen gouulam a 'world champ' that had arguably never beat a top 50 (and if he had it was 6 years prior),
-Billam smith (solid win although briadis would still beat the piss out of him),
-dorticus (had been effectivly inactive for 5 years since been outclassed by briadis)

Is that actualy better than jais last few years?

Yes

[Cyclops]

Didn't Bivol already turn down the fight with Benavidez in favour with an upcoming trilogy with Beterbiev? You can't blame DB for moving up and chasing greatness after spending all this time chasing Canelo and then the main lads pissing around with him in the next weight class as well?

With Jai Opetaia... I get the impression he's up for fighting anybody but his management are quite content flogging tickets to Australians who are just happy to watch him bash up cans unless a Saudi payday comes along. He looks the business against these soft touches, with his scary eyes and stuff, but Josh might have a point when he says Opetaia isn't pushing hard enough. Other than Briedis, has he ever fought anyone who was consensus top 10? And if not, why not?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Didn't Bivol already turn down the fight with Benavidez in favour with an upcoming trilogy with Beterbiev? You can't blame DB for moving up and chasing greatness after spending all this time chasing Canelo and then the main lads pissing around with him in the next weight class as well?

With Jai Opetaia... I get the impression he's up for fighting anybody but his management are quite content flogging tickets to Australians who are just happy to watch him bash up cans unless a Saudi payday comes along. He looks the business against these soft touches, with his scary eyes and stuff, but Josh might have a point when he says Opetaia isn't pushing hard enough. Other than Briedis, has he ever fought anyone who was consensus top 10? And if not, why not?

Yh that’s what Beni said. Bivol opted not to fight him

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

David Benavidez eyes Gilberto Ramirez for May 2 at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

David Benavidez wasn’t at all interested in taking a victory lap.

The unbeaten two-division titlist cut right to the chase when asked about plans following his seventh-round knockout of Anthony Yarde on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In an environment where many fighters before him would praise and await further instruction from Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season, Benavidez dropped news of his next fight – one that will take place outside that circuit.

Benavidez will pursue a third divisional crown in a bold challenge against unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight titlist Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.

“I got some news for you guys,” Benavidez said shortly after his one-sided drubbing of Yarde, 27-4 (24 KOs). “May 2, me versus Zurdo Ramirez. I’m going up to cruiserweight to challenge for a title. So I’m excited for that.”

BS has learned that a hold was already placed on the date for T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

None of the parties involved were in a position to discuss the matter because a couple of loose ends remain. However, Golden Boy Promotions – Ramirez’s promoter – validated the matchup through social media channels shortly after Benavidez’s news drop.

“Save the date,” Golden Boy said through its company account, the post accompanied by a poster of Ramirez and Benavidez. “Golden Boy just made your Cinco de Mayo weekend plans.”

Two sources familiar with the situation have confirmed that Mexico’s Ramirez, 48-1 (30 KOs), will first return to the ring to face Robin Sirwan Safar. 19-0 (13 KOs) on the recently announced January 16 Alexis Rocha-Raul Curiel II undercard. The bout will be Ramirez’s first since recovering from shoulder surgery following his June 28 points win over Yuniel Dorticos in Anaheim, California.

With a win, already-signed agreements will then be executed to move forward with the event, which BS has learned will be a joint promotion between Golden Boy, Sampson Boxing and Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).

Benavidez is promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz, founder and head of Sampson Boxing, and has fought on PBC shows since its first-year launch in 2015.

Benavidez, 31-0 (25 KOs), picked up his first knockout win at light heavyweight with Saturday’s drubbing of Yarde, who is now 0-3 with three knockout defeats in major title fights. The stoppage was the first for Benavidez since a November 2023 sixth-round knockout of Demetrius Andrade in his final fight at super middleweight.

The decision to campaign at light heavyweight ended years of frustration for Benavidez, a former two-time 168lbs titlist who was long denied a showdown with then-undisputed champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, 63-3-2 (39 KOs). Three wins have followed at 175lbs for Benavidez, including unanimous decision victories over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and David Morrell Jnr to win secondary versions of both the WBC and WBA titles at the weight.

Benavidez was upgraded to full WBC titleholder at 175lbs after Dmitry Bivol vacated the belt in lieu of an ordered title consolidation bout. Bivol was a longtime WBA titlist who regained his belt along with becoming undisputed champion after a revenge-fueled majority decision victory over Artur Beterbiev in their February 22 rematch in Riyadh.

Alalshikh invited Benavidez to attend the event, with initially teased plans for the Phoenix native to fight the winner. Benavidez traveled abroad but did not stay the entire time or attend the fight – nor did such a fight ever materialize.

In fact, Alalshikh went out of his way to declare that he had no interest in bidding on Bivol-Benavidez once the matter headed to a purse bid hearing. It proved moot, as Bivol instead chose to break up his fully unified title reign rather than move forward with the fight. He is still the lineal champ and unified WBA, IBF and WBO titlist. However, he also hasn’t fought since the Beterbiev rematch, and there is no guarantee he will face Benavidez in 2026 – or ever.

Naturally, Benavidez was aware of this possibility and long ago planned ahead for a potential move up the scale.

Benavidez spoke passionately about one day challenging Ramirez during the buildup to his eventual win over a then-unbeaten Morrell on February 1 in Las Vegas.

Ramirez won each of his two cruiserweight titles in 2024. He dethroned unbeaten WBA titlist Arsen Goulamirian via unanimous decision last March 30 in Inglewood, California. His year ended in Riyadh, where he decisively outpointed Chris Billam-Smith to collect the WBO title.

Ramirez’s abovementioned win over Dorticos satisfied his WBA mandatory. The WBO has taken steps to proceed with an interim title fight between German contenders Roman Fress and Tahir Kahrovic, tentatively eyed for January 10 in Magdeburg, Germany.

Although the winner of that fight would obviously be in line to challenge for the full belt, it is likely that a title consolidation order would come sometime after Ramirez-Benavidez.

That would leave Ramirez winning on January 16 and escaping unscathed as the only remaining hurdle to proceed with the contest.

Given Benavidez’s current title status, his reign and announced plans for his next fight are likely to be addressed during the annual WBC convention currently underway in Bangkok, Thailand.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Jai Opetaia questions Gilberto Ramirez-David Benavidez

Don’t count Jai Opetaia among those excited for the announcement of Gilberto Ramirez-David Benavidez.

The IBF cruiserweight champion from Australia released a statement Sunday, criticizing the WBO/WBA titleholder Ramirez for choosing to face the WBC light heavyweight beltholder Benavidez instead of himself. The announcement was made last night following Benavidez’s seventh round stoppage of Anthony Yarde in Saudi Arabia. The Ramirez vs. Benavidez fight is being targeted for May 2 - the weekend before Cinco de Mayo - with the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as a potential venue.

“I’ve been waiting for the unification fights for years,” Opetaia, 28-0 (24 KOs), said. “I’m sick of the excuses. None of these other champions are in a hurry to face me — and we all know why.”

Mick Francis, whose Tasman Fighters company co-promotes Opetaia with Matchroom Boxing, feels that all roads should go through his fighter at 200lbs. He calls the Ramirez-Benavidez fight the contest to see who’s the second best cruiserweight in the world.

“We’re witnessing a great champion being avoided in broad daylight. These so-called champions won’t even say his name. Jai is the boogeyman of the cruiserweight division,” said Francis.

“[Mateusz] Masternak ducked him. [Richard] Riakporhe ducked him. [Chris] Billam-Smith ducked him. And Zurdo Ramirez has ducked him in the biggest, most embarrassing way of all.”

The 30-year-old Opetaia is coming off a fifth round knockout of Claudio Squeo in June.

[Ruthless-RKO]

David Benavidez to fight Zurdo Ramirez in May 2026

David Benavidez is heading up to cruiserweight on Cinco de Mayo weekend.

David Benavidez says he will move up to cruiserweight next May to challenge Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez for the WBO cruiserweight title.

Benavidez announced the plan after his win over Anthony Yarde in Riyadh, and it’s a bit of a curveball, with Benavidez retaining his WBC light heavyweight title, but it may simply be the best offer he had on the table.

Benavidez (31-0, 25 KO) will be looking to win a world title in a third weight class after claiming belts at super middleweight and light heavyweight.

“May 2nd, me vs Zurdo Ramirez, I’m going up to cruiserweight to challenge for his title,” Benavidez said after his fight tonight.

Benavidez said the fight could happen in Las Vegas.

Zurdo (48-1, 30 KO) is a former super middleweight titlist himself, and a light heavywieght title challenger. His last two bouts have been wins over Chris Billam-Smith, where he won his WBO title, and a defense over Yuniel Dorticos on June 28 in Anaheim.

The move also is a preemptive strike against any possible plan for Canelo Alvarez to return. Canelo has dominated the coveted Cinco de Mayo weekend for years now.

[amwsnw]

Zurdo apparently asked for $8-$12 mill for an opetaia fight. Ludicrous and he knew it was never going to made asking for such money. I’m sure they are hoping Jai moves to heavyweight before they are faced with no option but to face him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Zurdo apparently asked for $8-$12 mill for an opetaia fight. Ludicrous and he knew it was never going to made asking for such money. I’m sure they are hoping Jai moves to heavyweight before they are faced with no option but to face him.

He's already lost his '0' anyway. he should be asking for reasonable amount.

This just looks like he's selling his belts to the highest bidder knowing he'll lose.

[Cyclops]

Zurdo apparently asked for $8-$12 mill for an opetaia fight. Ludicrous and he knew it was never going to made asking for such money. I’m sure they are hoping Jai moves to heavyweight before they are faced with no option but to face him.

Where's that number from? I had a guess, and found out:

https://www.foxsports.com.au/boxing/box ... 725beb9fbd

Mr. Desperate himself, Eddie Hearn.

Eddie Hearn has warned Jai Opetaia’s biggest rival against “taking the p***”.

The popular UK promoter has taken aim at the “crazy” fight demands of the man Opetaia most wants to throw down against in 2026 – Mexican superstar Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez.

Earlier this month, Opetaia’s manager Mick Francis revealed how Ramirez and his promoter Oscar de la Hoya have been demanding a $12 million purse to make the fight happen.

Apart from branding said request “crazy”, Hearn also suggested Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh likely thought the pair were “taking the p***”.

Hearn also stressed his commitment to ensuring Opetaia finally gets his chance to become an undisputed division king.

While Opetaia will make yet another defence of his IBF and Ring cruiserweight titles in December – against mandatory Huseyin Cinkara – Hearn conceded the fight everyone wants to see involves Ramirez.

While the Mexican champ is currently recovering from shoulder surgery, Hearn questioned if the 34-year-old really wants to fight Opetaia given his team has been asking for a purse recently revealed to be $12 million.

Earlier this month, Francis confirmed to Fox Sports Australia that Team Ramirez had requested a “ridiculous” US$8 million from Turki Al-Sheikh to make the fight.

Hearn added that His Excellency had already put a worth on the fight, with himself, Opetaia and Francis had already signed off on their end of the contract.

“We’ve agreed to a deal,” Hearn said. “We had an offer from Turki and we’ve agreed to a price.

“But then Ramirez came back with a number that was just crazy.

“And Turki is a guy that if you start with a number that’s too high, he thinks you’re taking the piss out of him.

“And he’ll say ‘OK, don’t worry about it’ – then move on with making his next fight.

“And that’s what I think has happened.”

Asked if Ramirez and his promoter Oscar de la Hoya were deliberately pricing themselves out of the fight, Hearn continued: “Asking for the money they did, that’s sometimes a sign you don’t want the fight.

“But after Jai gets this next fight [against Cinkara] done, there isn’t anyone else people want to see him fight.

“Obviously whoever holds the WBC belt is an option, but it’s primarily Gilberto Ramirez.

“Yet it all comes down to the other fighter.

“And maybe they don’t want the fight.

“Oscar de la Hoya knows his boxing.

“And while the rivalry between himself and I is more friendly now, he doesn’t want to lose to us.

“He knows how good Jai is.

“Of course, Ramirez is good too and it won’t be an easy fight.

“It’s a great fight.

“But we’re favourite … [and] I don’t think they’re actively pursuing the fight.”

Hearn said the most likely path for Opetaia in 2026 will be, first, a shot at whoever holds the WBC cruiserweight title – which Badou Jack will defend against in a rematch against Armenia’s Norair Mikaeljan in December.

That way, should Opetaia win add WBC gold to his collection, a bout with Ramirez would then be for the undisputed cruiserweight title.

Then if the undefeated Aussie southpaw is to unify the division, or if the Ramirez cannot be made, there has also been talk of either Bivol or David Benavidez.

A superfight with Benavidez has been discussed since midway through this year, when the undefeated US star took to social media to declare himself up for the fight.

[Cyclops]

Zurdo apparently asked for $8-$12 mill for an opetaia fight. Ludicrous and he knew it was never going to made asking for such money. I’m sure they are hoping Jai moves to heavyweight before they are faced with no option but to face him.

So the $12 million is in Australian dollars (a cursory Google shows $1 US is roughly $1.55 AUS, making 8 mil in America $12.4 mil in Australian dough) so it's disingenuous to suggest "$8-12 mill".

Hearn is a slippery fornicator, isn't he? He's quite happy to tell everybody what Ramirez's team are supposedly asking (and at what stage in negotiations was this supposed number even suggested anyway?) but he doesn't say what he and Opetaia's team have agreed to. I'd be interested to know what they're happy being paid.

All of the recent articles within the past few hours quote from that same interview.

It's also interesting that Hearn stated, at the time, that if they couldn't get Zurdo then they would look to fight David Benavidez. They can't always keep running to Saudi Arabia to pay for fights. At some point, Matchroom are going to have to put their hands in their own pockets and pay for Opetaia to fight someone good.

[amwsnw]

I’m not aware what Zurdo has made in the past but whether it’s 8 or 12 mill I’d say it would be substantially more than he has ever made for fight but I could be wrong. Thanks for the maths lesson though.

[joshj909]

Zurdo apparently asked for $8-$12 mill for an opetaia fight. Ludicrous and he knew it was never going to made asking for such money. I’m sure they are hoping Jai moves to heavyweight before they are faced with no option but to face him.

So the $12 million is in Australian dollars (a cursory Google shows $1 US is roughly $1.55 AUS, making 8 mil in America $12.4 mil in Australian dough) so it's disingenuous to suggest "$8-12 mill".

Hearn is a slippery fornicator, isn't he? He's quite happy to tell everybody what Ramirez's team are supposedly asking (and at what stage in negotiations was this supposed number even suggested anyway?) but he doesn't say what he and Opetaia's team have agreed to. I'd be interested to know what they're happy being paid.

All of the recent articles within the past few hours quote from that same interview.

It's also interesting that Hearn stated, at the time, that if they couldn't get Zurdo then they would look to fight David Benavidez. They can't always keep running to Saudi Arabia to pay for fights. At some point, Matchroom are going to have to put their hands in their own pockets and pay for Opetaia to fight someone good.

I feel like Turki would be willing to overpay not too far off $8m for an undisputed unification fight with the right card around it.and the right promotion. It would likely have to be lowered a bit but that could be negotiated but it could be possible. Zurdo likely has bigger purses than Opetaia and I don't think Hearn likes the idea of Opetaia accepting a lower fee.

Alternatively, Opetaia could instead choose to face CBS (which would probably sell pretty well) or even the likes of Cieslak, Papin, or someone else ranked top 10. Hearn's excuses of not being able to get Zurdo doesn't appear honest as he isn't trying to get anyone else ranked in the top 10 either.

[joshj909]

I’m not aware what Zurdo has made in the past but whether it’s 8 or 12 mill I’d say it would be substantially more than he has ever made for fight but I could be wrong. Thanks for the maths lesson though.

https://www.salaryleaks.com/boxing/gilberto-ramirez

Can't talk for the accuracy of all of them, however, most of the bigger ones are in line with widely reported figures. Some definitely look inflated though.

[Cyclops]

I’m not aware what Zurdo has made in the past but whether it’s 8 or 12 mill I’d say it would be substantially more than he has ever made for fight but I could be wrong. Thanks for the maths lesson though.

It's not a "whether or not" at all; it's categorically NOT $12 million USD. And I'm not even particularly convinced they asked for $8 million, either.

You know it wasn't a Maths lesson but a bit of fact checking. I'm sure there is more money to be made having a belt and milking it through several defences than having one single fight and potentially losing. But that works both ways, especially with someone like Eddie Hearn, who is more concerned with Conor Benn and Jake Paul 'fights' and is happily milking Opetaia's belt, boogeyman reputation and undefeated record against knockovers. When Jai fights someone legit top 10 he looks suspiciously human. Zurdo, despite the Opetaia fight not being made, has unified and continues to fight the better fighters.

These things need to be checked because that will become something repeated as fact. The spin at the weekend was infuriating. The boxing media has to play along with whatever narrative the promoters spin to continue to have access, but we don't have to on here.

[JxhDel.]

This could be the equivalent of a tank against a machine gun, and I see Zurdo forcing a win.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Gilberto Ramirez confirms David Benavidez fight and dismisses Jai Opetaia

If there were any remaining doubts about the pairing, unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez confirmed on Tuesday that he will indeed face David Benavidez in an all-Mexico showdown on May 2 in Las Vegas.

Ramirez, 48-1 (30 KOs), will first take on Sweden’s Robin Sirwan Safar, 19-0 (13 KOs), on January 16 in Palm Desert, California. But assuming “Zurdo” makes it through the Safar fight without incident, the plan, as first reported by Boxing Scene, is for Benavidez to move up from the light heavyweight division to challenge for Ramirez’s two 200lbs belts at T-Mobile Arena on Cinco de Mayo weekend.

“I’m excited about this fight, and this is something I’ve targeted for years,” Ramirez said in a press release. “It will be your classic Mexican-versus-Mexican-American war. 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.”

Benavidez, 31-0 (25 KOs), is a Phoenix-born fighter of Mexican descent and a two-division champion. A former super middleweight titleholder, he made the first defense of his full light heavyweight title in a seventh-round stoppage of Anthony Yarde on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He won the interim belt with a 12-round unanimous decision over Oleksandr Gvozdyk in June 2024, then defended it in a convincing points win over David Morrell Jnr this past February. Benavidez, 28, was elevated to full titleholder in April when Dmitry Bivol vacated to pursue a trilogy fight with Artur Beterbiev.

Ramirez, a 34-year-old from Mazatlan, Mexico, most recently won a 12-round unanimous decision over Yuniel Dorticos, 27-2 (25 KOs) in June, and he had been weighing unification options while recovering from July shoulder surgery. Among them, a matchup to unify with Australia’s Jai Opetaia, 29-0 (32 KOs) – also the lineal cruiserweight champ – had been the most attractive before Benavidez stepped forward. Opetaia has since accused Ramirez of ducking him.

“I’m after the biggest fights possible and I want to make sure I’m fighting the best,” Ramirez said in response. “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.”

[Cyclops]

I've got Benavidez outworking Ramirez for a decision win. Ramirez delivered a painfully one-sided hiding to Billam-Smith, but he isn't knocking guys out at Cruiserweight. He's tough though, and can hold a shot. Billam-Smith tagged him with some good ones, to my recollection, and didn't seem to deter him at all.

[MPW]

I've got Benavidez outworking Ramirez for a decision win. Ramirez delivered a painfully one-sided hiding to Billam-Smith, but he isn't knocking guys out at Cruiserweight. He's tough though, and can hold a shot. Billam-Smith tagged him with some good ones, to my recollection, and didn't seem to deter him at all.

I concur with your assessment. I, too, see Benavidez outworking and out-landing Ramirez, especially as the fight progresses. If there is a stoppage, I believe Benavidez will score it later in the bout.