Ramirez vs Benavidez: Three ways Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez keeps his WBO and WBA titles on May 2

Ramirez vs Benavidez headlines the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 2, 2026, on PBC PPV via Prime Video. The WBO and WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez defends against David Benavidez, who is stepping up from light heavyweight for the first time in his career.

Opinion appears split on who will reign supreme in the cruiserweight division. But Ramirez is the champion. Here are three paths for Ramirez vs Benavidez that end with “Zurdo” still holding both belts on May 2.

Ramirez vs Benavidez: 1. The Southpaw Jab

Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) has one of the best southpaw jabs in boxing. It is long, it is stiff, and it has kept bigger men honest his entire career. Against Arsen Goulamirian in March 2024 to win the WBA strap, Ramirez used it as a battering ram to box the Frenchman’s head off for twelve rounds. It has helped him throughout his career to control the distance and tempo in his fights.

Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) is a pressure fighter who walks forward behind a high guard. If Ramirez finds the jab early and keeps disciplined for twelve rounds, Benavidez will need to take some shots to get close and let his best work off. Climbing 25 pounds and eating that jab all night is a tough fight for anyone.

2. The Natural Weight

Ramirez has been a cruiserweight since 2019 and the champion at 200lb since March 2023. Benavidez won a world title at super-middleweight before moving on to light heavyweight, with wins over Oleksandr Gvozdyk, David Morrell and Anthony Yarde.

Whether Benavidez adapts to the weight increase remains to be seen. The truth will be revealed on May 2. Ramirez vs Benavidez is the kind of fight where it could be a tactical battle, or where Ramirez, the naturally bigger fighter, meets Benavidez and refuses to back down.

3. The Sparring Book

Ramirez and Benavidez are said to have shared over 200 rounds of sparring over the years. Both men have confirmed the number. That means no surprises for either corner, but it also means Ramirez has already seen every Benavidez trick at close range.

“It’s an honor to be in this position,” Ramirez said in camp. “Now it’s my time.” Ramirez knows which feints Benavidez leans on, which combinations he starts with, and where his defence breaks. If that gym knowledge translates to the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night, Ramirez vs Benavidez tilts toward the champion in the rounds where Benavidez usually piles up points.

Ramirez vs Benavidez: The Champion’s Case

Benavidez is a problem for anyone in the world, from super middleweight to cruiserweight, and he has every tool to win Ramirez vs Benavidez inside the distance if Ramirez doesn’t control the distance in the fight. “I sparred him when I was 17,” Benavidez said this week. “I’m going to try and knock him out.”

But Ramirez is undefeated at cruiserweight and the reigning WBO and WBA champion. The southpaw jab, the natural weight, and the sparring book give “Zurdo” a real route to success on May 2.

Ramirez vs Benavidez will settle it at the T-Mobile Arena. The champion has a case. The challenger has the tools. It’s Mexico vs Mexico. What a fight this will be!

Gilberto Ramirez vs David Benavidez

• Gilberto Ramirez vs David Benavidez, 12 rounds, for Ramirez’s WBO/WBA cruiserweight title
• Armando Resendiz vs Jaime Munguia, 12 rounds, for Resendiz’s WBA super middleweight title
• Oscar Duarte vs Angel Fierro, 10 rounds, super lightweights
• Isaac Lucero vs Alan Sandoval, 10 rounds, super welterweights
• Jorge Chavez vs. Jose Sanchez, 10 rounds, super bantamweights

Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of Gilberto Ramirez vs David Benavidez, including results and video highlights, and post-fight analysis.