David Benavidez delivered a career-defining performance on Cinco de Mayo weekend, stopping Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez with a brutal sixth-round knockout to claim the unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight world titles at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, NV – Cinco de Mayo weekend once again proved to be boxing’s biggest stage—and this year, it belonged to David “El Monstro” Benavidez.
In front of a packed crowd at T-Mobile Arena, Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) dominated and ultimately stopped Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (48-2, 30 KOs) at 2:59 of Round 6 in the main event of a PBC Pay-Per-View on Prime Video. With the victory, Benavidez captured the unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight world championships, adding to his legacy as a now three-division world champion.
Benavidez Dominates, Finishes in Style
Moving up 25 pounds to cruiserweight, Benavidez showcased elite-level adaptability, relying on speed, precision, and ring IQ rather than brute force. From the opening bell, he controlled the tempo with sharp combinations and defensive awareness.
After dropping Ramirez late in the fourth round, Benavidez closed the show emphatically in the sixth. A relentless barrage forced Ramirez down for the second time, and he was unable to beat the count.
“I knew I couldn’t overpower him at this weight,” Benavidez said. “So I used my speed, movement, and IQ—and it worked perfectly.”
The win cements Benavidez as one of boxing’s elite pound-for-pound fighters and positions him for even bigger matchups ahead.
Big Fights on the Horizon
Following the victory, Benavidez made his intentions clear—he wants the biggest names in the sport.
He called for a long-anticipated showdown with Canelo Alvarez and also named Dmitry Bivol as a top target. Notably, Benavidez still holds a title at light heavyweight, leaving multiple high-profile paths open.
Co-Main Event: Munguia Reclaims Gold
Jaime Munguia (46-2, 35 KOs) returned to championship status with a unanimous decision victory over Armando “Toro” Resendiz (16-3, 11 KOs) to win the WBA super middleweight title.
Munguia overcame early pressure to take control with movement, timing, and clean power punching. Judges scored the bout 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“I felt excellent and followed the game plan perfectly,” Munguia said. “This is just the beginning.”
Duarte Edges Fierro in War
Oscar Duarte (31-2-1, 23 KOs) earned a hard-fought split decision over Angel Fierro in a thrilling super lightweight clash.
Despite Fierro missing weight, Duarte accepted the fight and pushed forward aggressively. After 12 competitive rounds, judges scored it 116-112 and 115-113 for Duarte, with one dissenting card for Fierro.
Sanchez Stays Undefeated with Late KO
Jose “Tito” Sanchez (16-0, 10 KOs) preserved his unbeaten record with a dramatic 10th-round knockout of Jorge Chavez (15-1-1, 8 KOs).
In a back-and-forth battle, Sanchez broke through late, scoring two knockdowns before the stoppage at 2:30 of the final round.
Flores Scores Major Upset
Argentina’s Ismael Flores (18-1-1, 12 KOs) delivered one of the night’s biggest surprises, dominating previously unbeaten Isaac Lucero (18-1, 14 KOs) over 10 rounds.
Flores controlled the fight from start to finish, earning a unanimous decision with scores of 99-91 and 98-92 (twice).
Preliminary Card Highlights
- Daniel Blancas remained undefeated (15-0) with a dominant decision over Raul Salomon
- Rising prospect Dylan Capetillo improved to 2-0 with a four-round win
- Juan Carillo scored a fourth-round knockout over Marlon Delgado
What’s Next For Benavidez?
With a statement win in a new division, David Benavidez didn’t just capture titles—he reshaped the boxing landscape. Whether it’s a super fight with Canelo Alvarez or a clash with Dmitry Bivol, “El Monstro” is now at the center of boxing’s biggest conversations.
