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

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ramirez being overlooked against Benavidez, says Scott

Gilberto Ramirez's coach Malik Scott believes the Mexican is being overlooked ahead of his cruiserweight title defense against David Benavidez.

Benavidez, who will make his debut at 200 pounds, is a favorite over WBA and WBO champion “Zurdo” Ramirez for their May 2 clash in Las Vegas.

Scott is aware that Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) is one of boxing's dominant forces, and while he isn't too surprised at the odds, he can't believe how much his man has been discredited ahead of the Cinco De Mayo clash.

“It’s no shock but what surprises me is the people that actually know boxing, and follow this sport, they act like Zurdo Ramirez is nothing,” Scott told Fight Hub TV. “Zurdo Ramirez is the best opponent that David Benavidez has ever gone against, like ever.”

Fighting Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) wasn’t Benavidez's first choice. What he wanted more than anything was to defend his WBC light heavyweight title against The Ring and unified champion Dmitry Bivol. However, a back injury sidelined Bivol for months, while fellow 175-pound monster Artur Beterbiev has been out of action since losing his titles to Bivol in February 2025.

Win, lose, or draw, Benavidez said he plans on dropping back down in weight and pursuing those fights eventually.
When it comes to his future, Scott thinks the world of Benavidez. He’s also confident that he can beat just about anyone, besides Ramirez of course.

“He’s a 6-foot-3 southpaw, Mexican, incredible foot movement,” Scott said. “The only person that was able to beat him was who? Bivol, who’s considered one of the best in the whole world. That goes to show the level that it takes to beat him.”

Ramirez, The Ring’s No. 1 ranked cruiserweight contender, lost a non-competitive decision to Bivol in 2022. Last June, he beat former champion Yuniel Dorticos. Benavidez, on the other hand, stopped Anthony Yarde in November on "The Ring IV: Night of the Champions."

There’s still plenty of time until Ramirez and Benvidez are due to settle the score, but as the days creep closer, the confidence Scott has in his fighter only grows stronger.

“It’s gonna be fight of the year and I have Zurdo coming out on top,” Scott said. “Of course, I’m Zurdo’s assistant coach so I’m always gonna say things that seem a bit bias, but I watch him on an everyday basis. If he just listens, nobody beats Zurdo. The world is his oyster.”

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Jorge Chavez-Jose ‘Tito’ Sanchez added to Ramirez-Benavidez PPV

A fifth fight has been added to the May 2 pay-per-view headlined by unified cruiserweight titleholder Gilberto Ramirez defending against light heavyweight beltholder David Benavidez.

The newly added bout – which will kick off the PPV broadcast from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – will pit unbeaten junior featherweights Jorge Chavez and Jose “Tito” Sanchez against each other.

Chavez, 15-0-1 (8 KOs), is coming off a pair of fights against Manuel Flores. Their first was last July and ended in a draw. In their rematch this January, Chavez won via unanimous decision.

“I’m so thankful to be a fighter of Mexican descent competing on pay-per-view on the world’s biggest stage on Cinco de Mayo weekend,” Chavez was quoted as saying in a press release. “I’m grateful to my entire team for this chance to showcase my skills as part of such a huge event. I’ve worked so hard my entire life for this opportunity, and I intend to put on a great show May 2.”

Sanchez, 15-0 (9 KOs), last fought in January as well, returning from a 15-month layoff and scoring a sixth-round stoppage of the 23-4-3 Jesus Eduardo Ramirez Rubio.

“On May 2, I will finally get my chance to fight on a huge card in Las Vegas and fulfill a dream I’ve had ever since I was a kid,” Sanchez said in the press release. “I’ve trained very hard to make it to this level, and I want to thank my family and my whole team for this opportunity to shine in front of the crowd in Las Vegas during this big boxing weekend. Buy your tickets and come out early to watch a great show.”

Also on the undercard:

Junior middleweight prospect Isaac Lucero, 18-0 (14 KOs), now has a new opponent: Ismael Flores, 17-1-1 (12 KOs). Flores replaced Alan Sandoval Gutierrez, 30-0-1 (19 KOs).

Junior welterweight Oscar Duarte, 30-2-1 (23 KOs), will take on Angel Fierro, 23-4-2 (18 KOs).

And in the co-feature, Jose Armando Resendiz, 16-2 (11 KOs), will defend his WBA super middleweight title against Jaime Munguia, 45-2 (35 KOs).

The PPV is available via Amazon’s Prime Video, DAZN, PPV.com, and traditional cable and satellite outlets.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Oscar Duarte declares himself IBF 140lbs champ after Richardson Hitchins' withdrawal

Oscar Duarte doesn’t need a sanctioning body to establish who the world champion is.

Based on the fact that Duarte showed up at T-Mobile Arena in February prepared to fight for the IBF 140lbs belt, only to learn then-titleholder Richardson Hitchins was pulling out due to sickness, means the title has changed hands in Duarte’s mind.

“He loses being champion because he won’t fight. So I’m the new champion,” Duarte pronounced to BS at a media workout for the May 2 Prime Video/DAZN pay-per-view card at T-Mobile Arena.

Hitchins sealed his own fate this week with news that he’ll vacate the 140lbs belt and move to welterweight as he joins the new Zuffa Boxing promotion.

Duarte fights May 2 under the main event pitting unified cruiserweight titleholder Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez defending his belts against unbeaten light heavyweight titleholder David Benavidez. Mexico’s Duarte, 30-2-1 (23 KOs), meets countryman and fellow action fighter Angel Fierro 23-4-2 (18 KOs) in a bout scheduled for 10 rounds.

To Duarte, it’s his first title defense after he effectively one-upped Hitchins with a creatively vulgar statement and action at their February news conference, only to see the New Yorker withdraw beyond the 11th hour.

Rather than strip Hitchins or order an immediate rescheduling, the IBF allowed Hitchins to skip Duarte and meet his stablemate at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy, top-ranked Lindolfo Delgado, next.

Hitchins likely saw his time as IBF titleholder waning, however, given the move to Zuffa, which saw its new cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia stripped of his IBF belt.

It’s not immediately clear how the IBF will respond to Hitchins’ exit.

“I’m feeling very excited for this big opportunity. I’m ready for war. Right now, I’m focusing my camp, focusing on victory,” Duarte said. “I’m training very hard, ready to go.”

Duarte is ranked No. 3 by the IBF, No. 4 by the WBA and No. 8 by the WBO.

Still, in Duarte’s mind, there is a belt in play May 2 because of the prior circumstances that followed Hitchins making 140lbs, but falling sick after the IBF’s mandated fight-day weigh-in, when the limit is 150lbs.

Duarte contends it wasn’t over an illness.

“My fight was denied because I was a good fighter,” he said.

Turning to the challenge of Fierro, he said, “These are the kind of fights I want.”

Asked how long he might have to wait for a bona fide title shot, Duarte said, “I’ve lost the opportunity to fight for a world title, but I feel I am the world champion and I will prove it on May 2.”

The fastest way to gain that legitimate title shot is to perform impressively, which Duarte plans to do.

“I will win the fight by knockout. I don’t know the round, but I will win the fight by knockout,” he said.

And if someone can deliver him a strap of some kind afterward, all the better.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Daniel Blancas-Raul Salomon to top Gilberto Ramirez-David Benavidez prelims

Super middleweight prospect Daniel Blancas will face Raul Salomon over a scheduled 10 rounds to top the preliminaries in support of the Gilberto Ramirez-David Benavidez pay-per-view card May 2 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Blancas-Salomon and two more fights will stream for free as part of a “First on Prime” prelims on Prime Video. Welterweight prospect Dylan Capetillo will follow up his April debut with a scheduled four-rounder against an opponent to be named, and light heavyweights Juan Carrillo and Marlo Delgado will square off to open the free streaming broadcast at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT.

Blancas, 14-0 (7 KOs), a 24-year-old Benavidez gym mate who hails from Milwaukee, most recently stopped William Townsel in three rounds this past December.

“I’m honored to be headlining on Prime Video on May 2,” Blancas said. “This is an incredible card, and I can’t wait to give the fans an exciting fight and show my skills. This is gonna be a great Cinco de Mayo weekend.”

Salomon, 16-3-1 (14 KOs) is on a five-fight winning streak after most recently stopping Juan Carlos Perez Rojo in two rounds in February. A 27-year-old from Ciudad Morelos, Baja California, Mexico, Salomon has never been stopped. His three defeats have come against opponents who had a combined record of 36-1-1.

“I’m very prepared for May 2,” Salomon said. “I really feel like I belong in this position and I’m eager to show everyone that this is just the beginning for me.”

Colombia’s Carrillo, 14-0 (10 KOs), and Ecuador’s Delgado, 8-0 (6 KOs), each a former Olympian for his respective home country. Carrillo most recently scored a first-round knockout over Cristian Andres Pena in February 2025. Delgado ended a three-year hiatus with a first-round stoppage of Williams Colina this past November.

“Marlo Delgado is a tough fighter, and I respect anybody who steps in the ring, but I see openings in his style that I’m gonna take advantage of,” Carrillo said. “I’m coming into this fight with a chip on my shoulder and ready to fight like everything is on the line, because it is. Fans can expect action. I’m not here to coast. I’m here to dominate and make it clear I’m a problem in this division.”

Said Delgado: “This is the kind of opportunity I need to prove that I’m ready for the next level. This is going to be a really exciting fight between two Olympians who want to be world champion. I can’t wait to work my hardest to steal the show.”

[THEBUTCH]

Only a week away !

Benavidez is compulsory viewing with his blistering combinations and search & destroy tactics.

I'm not sure he's going to be able to manhandle Ramirez like he has so many other opponents. The boxing world will be watching closely to see if Benavidez can best a very tough Cruiserweight

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week!!

[Ruthless-RKO]

A natural cruiserweight, Ramirez certain of edge over Benavidez

David Benavidez looked around the light heavyweight landscape in search of his next meaningful bout, but division stalwarts Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev were unavailable.

With the much sought-after fighting date on Cinco de Mayo weekend open due to Canelo Alvarez’s absence following elbow surgery, Benavidez decided to beef up 25 pounds and take on fellow Mexican and WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez on May 2 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) and Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) have history — hundreds of rounds of sparring when they were younger. But is Benavidez biting off more than he can chew with plenty of unfinished business left at 175 pounds, where he still holds the WBC title?

“He’s a big guy as well and believes he’s ready at this weight. We will see,” Ramirez told The Ring following a recent workout at Brickhouse Boxing Club.

“I’m just as confident, and that’s why I took this fight. I’ve been training hard to beat Benavidez. I think I will have an advantage because I have been at this weight longer than him. I think it will be a great fight for both of us.”
Ramirez, a former 168-pound titleholder, is 4-0 as a cruiserweight since entering the class in 2023. He ended a six-fight stretch at 175 pounds without a belt after a unanimous-decision defeat to Bivol in 2022.

After his division debut against Joe Smith., Ramirez took the titles away from Arsen Goulamirian and Chris Billam-Smith in 2024 and defended the crowns against Yuniel Dorticos in June. Shoulder surgery that followed in July delayed his return to the ring.

Ramirez, 35, has looked more than comfortable at cruiserweight in the 48 rounds he’s fought while cruising to wins, but he hasn’t dropped or stopped anyone.

“Benavidez is bringing his aggression and forward style, and I am bringing my movement,” Ramirez said. “I think our styles will make for a great fight. I know that he works very hard, and I work just as hard. But it was different back then when we were sparring. Now my titles are on the line.”

Ramirez’s longtime head coach, Julian Chua, believes his charge will level up with the quality competition in front of him on the grand stage.

“We’re confident he’s going to rise to the occasion in this fight and do what’s necessary as the bigger man to beat Benavidez," Chua told The Ring.

The top storyline seems to surround that Ramirez’s size will certainly matter in the slugfest, just as much as Benavidez’s blistering hand speed and combinations will for “The Mexican Monster.”

Will the meeting be shades of targeting the wrong opponent at the wrong time for Benavidez?

That was the case for Alvarez when he moved up to 175 a second time to challenge Bivol rather than accept Benavidez's challenge, losing a clear decision to the Russian. Alvarez has since stepped down to his appropriate weight class and doesn’t seem inclined to campaign as a light heavyweight anytime soon.

For Benavidez, win or lose, boiling back down to 175 pounds could be asking for too much from his ever-growing body as he continues to carve his own lane. He boasts a big game, and rightfully so as The Ring’s No. 7 pound-for-pound fighter. He’s coming off a seventh-round stoppage win against Anthony Yarde in November.

But is he “Superman?” Benavidez might be on May 2, and it remains to be seen after that.

One significant instance when a “Superman” made a massive move in weight was when Roy Jones, then 34, stepped up from 175 pounds to heavyweight, beating John Ruiz in 2003. Jones’ career was never the same after that, however, when he stepped back down light heavyweight.

“I’m actually going to have to put on weight and muscle,” Benavidez said. “I’m not going to have to lose any weight. I don’t know how that feels yet, but I know that it’s going to feel good. I’m expecting the best version of myself in the fight.”
Benavidez is listed as a -390 favorite, and Ramirez is a +290 underdog, according to DraftKings.

Time will tell if Benavidez, 29, made the right move by barking up this tree after just three fights as a light heavyweight.

“You need to make sure that you’re ready to add this much weight to your body,” Ramirez said. “He’s the monster. He’s different. He used to beat up a lot of sparring partners. Now we’re here, two warriors making history. It should be a fight of the year.”

Prime Video and various cable and satellite operators will distribute the card headlined by Benavidez-Ramirez on pay-per-view in the United States for $79.99. It is also included for subscribers of DAZN’s Ultimate plan in the U.S. ($44.99 per month).

[MightyWarrior]

Hundred percent guaranteed 12 round war. These two Mexican monsters have granite chins, so I just hope theres not too much damage dished out.

If there’s one fight I’d love to see, it’s the monster versus Beterbiev, a super fight for the ages. But it’s seems like it taking forever to happen.

So this one gets slotted in amongst all the crap TV shows on Amazon Prime, so odd.
25 smackers

[Ruthless-RKO]

David Benavidez: I’m stronger and at my best at cruiserweight

He was undefeated at super middleweight and light heavyweight, and a world titleholder at both, but David Benavidez says competing at cruiserweight will bring out the best version of him yet.

Benavidez, 31-0 (25 KOs), is moving up to challenge unified WBA/WBO 200lbs titleholder Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez in the main event of this Saturday’s pay-per-view headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show will be available for purchase via Amazon’s Prime Video, DAZN, PPV.com and traditional cable and satellite outlets.

“I feel like this weight is definitely gonna help me,” Benavidez said in a press release. “Once you get to this weight, the punches are bigger. When you combine that power with my speed, I bring something to the cruiserweight division that hasn’t been seen since James Toney. My speed is superb and it’s just on a different level. This is gonna be the best David Benavidez that you see.”

Benavidez, 29, says he’s been on weight for a week.

“My training camp hasn’t really changed, but this is the most stress-free I’ve ever been,” Benavidez said. “Training is always gonna be hard, but [...] I’ve never been in a position where I don’t have to worry about the weight, and that’s gonna make me more dangerous. When you cut weight, you’re running like seven miles every single day. Right now I don’t have to run at all. I don’t have to deplete myself, and I can use that extra energy in the fight.”

He’ll need it. Ramirez, like Benavidez, has succeeded as he’s moved up in weight over the course of his career. The 34-year-old fought professionally as low as middleweight and held a world title at super middleweight from 2016 until 2019. Ramirez, 48-1 (30 KOs), took his sole defeat in an unsuccessful challenge of Dmitry Bivol for a title at light heavyweight in 2022 and then rose up in divisions once again.

In 2024, Ramirez outpointed Arsen Goulamirian for the WBA belt and did the same to Chris Billam-Smith to add the WBO title.

For Benavidez, the moves up have also been out of necessity, and not just because of the additional mercy on the scales. When Saul “Canelo” Alvarez continually refused to face Benavidez at 168, Benavidez at last went up to 175. With top light heavyweights Bivol and Artur Beterbiev either unavailable or unwilling, Benavidez is motivated to keep looking for big fights against tough foes.

“Continuing to move up and challenge world champions shows everyone that I’m serious about what I do, and that I believe in my skills 100%,” Benavidez said. “Making more history on May 2 would mean the world to me. At this point in my life, I just want to reach greatness.

“Winning these titles will definitely put me back in position to continue to push for more greatness. I’m just really happy with where I’m at in my career, and with all the risks I’m taking, because I believe it will all pay off when my career is all said and done.”

For those wondering whether Benavidez would continue on to heavyweight, that will have to wait.

“A heavyweight title would be great for my legacy, but I’m not interested in that right now,” Benavidez said. “If I go up to heavyweight, that will be later in my career. I want to go back down to 175 and win all the rest of the belts and reign there for a little bit. I definitely think heavyweight is in my future, but not right now.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Frostieballs]

It’s a new ‘belt’. Literally the opposite of tradition.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Is 'Zurdo' Ramirez the one to unsettle and defeat David Benavidez?

When does someone finally push David Benavidez to the brink?

If unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and a 25-pound jump in weight can’t press the unbeaten two-division champion’s ability, the future will seem boundless.

On Tuesday’s episode of ProBoxTV’s “Boxing Scene Today,” analysts and former world champions Chris Algieri and Paulie Malignaggi debated Saturday’s Prime Video/DAZN pay-per-view main event at T-Mobile Arena, dissecting Benavidez’s attempt to duplicate something his former sparring partner has already done by moving from super-middleweight champion to 200lbs titlist.

“‘Zurdo’ being a good cruiserweight leads me to believe it’s true that Benavidez will be comfortable at cruiserweight,” Malignaggi said.

Phoenix’s current WBC light-heavyweight champion Benavidez, 31-0 (25 KOs), has said he feels more comfortable and still powerful as he’s elevated up for this bout.

“It’s not out of the question. I can see how he would feel that – ‘Zurdo’ has mirrored that,” Malignaggi said.

The analysts reviewed how Ramirez, 48-1 (30 KOs), has defeated Joe Smith Jnr, dethroned Arsen Goulamirian and defended his belt versus Chris Billam-Smith and Yuniel Dorticos after his only loss as a light-heavyweight to former undisputed 175lbs champion Dmitry Bivol.

Algieri wondered if Benavidez can retain his hand speed, noting that Ramirez is a deliberate puncher at 200lbs who often carries “a spare tire” of extra midsection padding as a cruiserweight.

“This is not going to be a body-beautiful fight,” Algieri said.

Ramirez’s quality victories at cruiserweight must be considered, Malignaggi said, with Algieri adding he’s surprised by the betting support for Phoenix’s Benavidez, 29, as a -430 favorite given that it’s his cruiserweight debut.

Although Benavidez has defeated two impressive left-handers like Ramirez in David Morrell and Demetrius Andrade within the past couple years, one show commenter fretted Benavidez’s diminished hand speed “could be comical” by the packed-on poundage.

“Could it wear down David? Could it bite him in the second half with ‘Zurdo’ [expected to be] the more physical fighter?” Malignaggi wondered. “How can you look past ‘Zurdo?’”

The pair noted that Benavidez has only struggled in his first super-middleweight title fight against Ronald Gavril nine years ago as a 20-year-old.

“We’re still looking for a fight where [Benavidez] struggles to the finish line – and he’s fought some real good names,” including Anthony Yarde, Caleb Plant and Oleksandr Gvozdyk in recent bouts, Malignaggi said. “Is this the close fight?”

“Or David may just do Benavidez things, where you just say, ‘This guy’s so good,’” Algieri said.

Malignaggi suggested the bout sets up for the durable Ramirez, 34, to produce his defining moment on the Cinco de Mayo card.

Although Benavidez has said he wants to return to light-heavyweight to meet current and recent champions Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, losing to Ramirez would likely leave him no choice but to take that route.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

David Benavidez, Gilberto Ramirez express confidence ahead of cruiserweight title showdown

There was no shortage of confidence from David Benavidez and Gilberto Ramirez at their media workout on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of their unified cruiserweight title fight this Saturday.

For Benavidez, an unbeaten two-division champion, winning world titles in a third division on Cinco de Mayo weekend will be the next big step towards cementing his legacy as one of the best fighters in the world.

“A win on Saturday lets me know that I’m fulfilling my destiny. I know that I’m gonna be an all-time great when it’s all said and done. I’m just gonna continue showing everyone that I’m the best in the world,” said Benavidez, 31-0 (25 KOs), a Mexican-American from Phoenix, Arizona.

“I’ve worked extremely hard for this. Five months of training camp. The only thing I’ve seen in my vision is victory. I’m gonna make sure you get your money’s worth on May 2.”

Benavidez, 29, says he has felt more comfortable since moving up 25 pounds to cruiserweight, saying that he has been on weight since last week. He underlines how he’s consistently been fighting top guys.

“I’m a different type of fighter than everyone else. I’ve been fighting the best in the world again and again,” said Benavidez.

Ramirez, 48-1 (30 KOs), of Mazatlan, Mexico will be making his third title defense since capturing a cruiserweight belt in 2024. The 34-year-old last fought in June of 2025, defeating Yuniel Dorticos by unanimous decision.

“I always knew this would be the kind of fight that people were going to want to see. When it finally came around, I was ready to do it,” said “Zurdo” Ramirez.

“Every fight is tough and every fight is different. The only thing I know is that on May 2 we’re gonna make history.”

The fight will headline a PBC pay-per-view at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Gilberto Ramirez vs. David Benavidez cruiserweight belt dispute settled

The WBO and WBA will continue to sanction Saturday night’s cruiserweight title fight between Mexico’s Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and David Benavidez following a settlement with the WBC detailed in a prepared statement distributed Thursday.

Irked by the plan of Mexico-based WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman to maintain his tradition of awarding a special belt to the Cinco de Mayo main-event winner, WBO president Gustavo Olivieri said last month that his organization and the WBA were committed to yank their titles from Saturday’s winner.

Sulaiman invited both fighters last month to inspect the new “Tollan Tlatequi” belt at an unveiling ceremony in Mexico.

Olivieri said such a presentation would dim the importance of the WBO and WBA’s official belts, and even though WBA president Gilberto Mendoza balked at taking the matter any further, Olivieri pressed on.

In a letter dated April 7 to Ramirez’s Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez and Benanvidez’s promoters, Sampson Lewkowicz and Tom Brown, Olivieri details 10 conditions on the matter:

– The only world championships to be contested are the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and the World Boxing Association (WBA) cruiserweight championships.

– Under no circumstances whatsoever shall the WBO permit and/or allow the bestowment of any special belt, trophy, plaque, award, t-shirt, hat, pendant, painting, token, medal, medallion, belt, or otherwise, regardless of whether such item is commemorative, symbolic, or otherwise, in any format or modality.

– The only championships to be promoted, displayed, showcased, and awarded during all fight week activities, including but not limited to the final press conference, ceremonial television weigh-in, in-ring introductions, post-fight belt bestowment to the winner, and post-fight press conference shall be solely and exclusively the WBO and WBA cruiserweight championships. No exceptions shall be permitted.

– Failure to comply with any and all of the conditions outlined herein, which shall be enforced at the exclusive discretion of the WBO and acknowledged by the promoters of record, shall result in the immediate withdrawal and termination of the sanction approval, even if the bout has already been conducted, including but not limited to the declaration of the WBO cruiserweight championship as vacant.

– The promoters of record are solely and exclusively responsible for duly notifying the contents of this letter to the relevant parties, including the fighters and the local commission (Nevada Athletic Commission), including all terms and conditions contained herein.

Phoenix’s Benavidez 31-0 (25 KOs) does reign as the WBC light-heavyweight champion after winning the WBC super-middleweight title at a record-young age of 20.

Even though the WBC failed to press to demand its former 168lbs champion Canelo Alvarez to fight the rising Benavidez, the 29-year-old seemed impressed with the special belt that was to be given him in victory.

Now, Benavidez faces a rigorous title shot against a fighter expected to hydrate far beyond a weight class that’s 25 pounds greater than light-heavyweight.

Benavidez declared his readiness Wednesday at his media workout, elaborating that his fitness shines even though he’s fighting 25 pounds greater than the light-heavyweight limit.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fierro confident disastrous stretch ends with upset of Duarte

Angel Fierro satisfied fans more than they could've expected the last time he fought on one of David Benavidez's undercards at T-Mobile Arena.

Fierro lost that 10-round junior welterweight war with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz by unanimous decision in February 2025, but the determined Mexican rivals delivered one of the best action fights.

Their fight was so entertaining, an immediate rematch was scheduled as part of the Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios undercard seven months later.

Fierro had so much difficulty making weight that he was hospitalized the day they were supposed to weigh in and replaced by Omar Salcido on short notice.

Two months later, Fierro was disqualified for kicking Abraham Cordero in the groin during the third round of what was designed to be a tune-up fight October 4 in his hometown of Tijuana.

That disastrous stretch somehow led to Fierro securing another high-profile opportunity, a 12-round bout with another Mexican in junior welterweight contender Oscar Duarte on the Gilberto Ramirez-Benavidez undercard Saturday night. Duarte (30-2-1, 23 KOs) is 14-1 favorite according to DraftKings, but Fierro (23-4-2, 18 KOs) realizes he can change what has been a career-crushing nine-month span.

"I love being the underdog because when I'm the underdog, you don't know who's going to come and spoil the party," Fierro said during an open workout Wednesday at MGM Grand.

"I was the underdog against 'Pitbull' Cruz. We put on a show and it was a spectacular fight. The same is going to happen with Duarte. I'm going to go out there and prove that just because I’m the underdog, it doesn't mean that I can't be the spoiler."

Duarte dealt with a weigh-in incident of his own the last time he traveled to Las Vegas.

The Parral native was scheduled to challenge Richardson Hitchins for his IBF junior welterweight title February 21 at T-Mobile Arena.

An ill Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) pulled out even later then Fierro before his Cruz rematch, on the day of their fight on the Ryan Garcia-Barrios undercard, after they weighed in a second time in accordance with IBF rehydration rules.

Duarte has shifted his focus to challenging Cruz, who owns the WBC interim 140-pound championship, now that Hitchins has given up his IBF belt. Fierro naturally wants to have his rematch with Cruz rescheduled.

"[Beating Duarte is] going to put me on the doorstep to even bigger fights," Fierro said. "Keep in mind, this is a big fight already. But I'm talking about world title opportunities and things I've been looking forward to for a long time. But first things first, I got to look out for Duarte and then go from there."

The Duarte-Fierro fight will be part of a pay-per-view undercard Amazon's Prime Video and DAZN will distribute in the United States, starting at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT; $79.99). Subscribers to DAZN's Ultimate plan, which costs $44.99 per month in the U.S. and £24.99 in the UK, can view the Benavidez-Ramirez show for no additional charge.

"I'm going to go out there and put on a show, like I always do," Fierro said. "I'm going to leave my blood, sweat and tears inside the ring, in order to come out with my arm raised. I'm doing this for my hometown of Tijuana."

[Ruthless-RKO]

Oscar Duarte makes weight at 139.8, but Angel Fierro was 143.4 -- 3.4 pounds over, but Fierro will give up part of purse and fight goes on. This is on the #BenavidezZurdo undercard. #boxing

Per source, Fierro will give up $40k from his purse to Duarte for being so over the contract weight.

[Taansend]

"Dad Bod" Benavidez has a nice ring to it

[Ruthless-RKO]

Here are the CompuBox stats from Ramirez’s last 10 fights and Benavidez’s previous 13.

Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs):

22.5 average punches landed per round

58.5 average punches thrown per round

5.6 average jabs landed per round

21 average jabs thrown per round

16.9 average power punches landed per round

37.5 average power punches thrown per round

Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs):

18.6 average punches landed per round

60.9 average punches thrown per round

4.8 average jabs landed per round

25.9 average jabs thrown per round

13.9 average power punches landed per round

35 average power punches thrown per round

CompuBox stats back up Benavidez’s standing as one of the best fighters in the world. He ranks in the top 10 in the following categories among championship fighters:

No. 1 in percentage of combinations landed (45.9%)

No. 2 in percentage of punches landed per round (38.5%)

No. 3 in plus-minus rating (+13)

No. 3 in percentage of jabs landed per round (26.7%)

No. 6 in percentage of power punches landed per round (45.1%)

No. 7 in punches landed per round (22.5)

For Ramirez, 71.6 percent of his punches thrown are combinations, which ranks sixth among championship fighters. He also averages 13.9 power punches landed per round.

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Benavidez weighed 196.8 pounds and Ramirez was 200 pounds.

The weights for the pay-per-view and Prime Video portions of the Benavidez-Ramirez undercard are listed below.

8 p.m. ET; 5 p.m. PT
Prime Video, DAZN PPV ($79.99)

Super middleweights, 12 rounds, for Resendiz’s WBA title

Jamie Munguia (45-2, 35 KOs), Tijuana, Mexico, 167.4 pounds

Armando Resendiz (16-2, 11 KOs), Guayabitos, Mexico, 167 pounds

Junior welterweights, 12 rounds

Angel Fierro (23-4-2, 18 KOs), Tijuana, Mexico, 143.4 pounds

Oscar Duarte (30-2-1, 23 KOs), Parral, Mexico, 139.8 pounds

[NOTE: Fierro was 3.4 pounds over the contracted weight limit. He paid $40,000 out of his purse to Duarte.]

Junior featherweights, 10 rounds

Jose Sanchez (15-0, 9 KOs), Cathedral City, California, 121.2 pounds

Jorge Chavez (15-0-1, 8 KOs), San Diego, 122 pounds

Middleweights, 10 rounds

Ismael Flores (17-1-1, 12 KOs), Campo Grande, Argentina, 155.2 pounds

Isaac Lucero (18-0, 14 KOs), La Paz, Mexico, 155.6 pounds

Prime Video
5:30 p.m. ET; 2:30 p.m. PT

Super middleweights, 10 rounds

Raul Salomon (16-3-1, 14 KOs), Ciudad Morelos, Mexico, 167.4 pounds

Daniel Blancas (14-0, 7 KOs), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 166.8 pounds

Lightweights, 4 rounds

James Pierce (2-0, 2 KOs), Avondale, Arizona, 134.8 pounds

Dylan Capetillo (1-0, 1 KO), Las Vegas, 136.2 pounds

Cruiserweights, 8 rounds

Marlon Delgado (8-0, 6 KOs), Ibarra, Ecuador, 177.6 pounds

Juan Carrillo (14-0, 10 KOs), Barranquilla, Colombia, 177.4 pounds

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Weigh in

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Anyone in UK staying up for this?

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Thinking of just waking up at 3am and catching the last couple.

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Earlier fights don’t really bother me.

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Ive started an RBR over in the Current Scene

Click here for thread

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I’ll post running order here as well.