Benavidez vs Ramirez Tips: Can Zurdo make cruiser experience count?
An intriguing cruiserweight affair takes centre stage on Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas as David Benavidez and Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez do battle for the WBO and WBA world titles.
Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) has won titles at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight and is now looking to conquer another weight division by defeating Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs), who has suffered just one defeat in 49 professional bouts.
The undefeated Benavidez continues to build his reputation as one of boxing’s elite operators and currently sits fifth in ESPN’s pound-for-pound rankings. He was last seen in November, making a statement with a seventh-round stoppage of Anthony Yarde to successfully defend his WBC light-heavyweight crown.
Zurdo, meanwhile, is not called the Golden Southpaw without good reason. He will provide stiff opposition to the pre-fight favourite given that sole defeat was to an all-time great in Dimitry Bivol.
Below, we’ve handpicked a couple of eye-catching prices ahead of the clash…
Tip 1 – Zurdo Ramirez to win the fight @ 16/5
Boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya likes the chances of the underdog.
In a recent press conference, the Golden Boy Promotions boss said: “David Benavidez is a tremendous fighter. I love the way he throws combinations and he doesn’t get tired. He’s a fighter who has a lot of heart.
“But he’s moving up a weight class to cruiserweight to face a sleeper who can beat him. [Zurdo] beats you all the time.”
Ramirez is already a proven operator at cruiserweight.
Since moving up, he’s beaten quality names, dethroned champions and shown he can handle naturally bigger men over 12 hard rounds.
That experience at 200lbs could prove crucial against Benavidez, making his debut in the division. Jumping up in weight is one thing but thriving there against an elite-level opponent at it is another.
Size and physicality may also be key.
Ramirez is the naturally larger fighter, a genuine cruiserweight who knows how to use his frame, lean on opponents and make fights gruelling. If he can force Benavidez to work every second, sap his energy and drag him into the later rounds, the tide could turn.
There are also legitimate questions over how Benavidez’s usual advantages translate upstairs. His hand speed and relentless volume have overwhelmed opponents at lower weights, but carrying extra pounds can blunt sharpness and slow output.
If that edge is reduced even slightly, Ramirez becomes far more dangerous. There could, therefore, be considerable value in the underdog.
Tip 2 – Zurdo Ramirez to win via decision @ 5/1
This has all the makings of a tight, tactical world-title fight. Ramirez is the naturally bigger man, the established cruiserweight, and that could matter over 12 hard rounds.
He has already proven himself at 200lbs, beating quality names and showing he can maintain a steady tempo deep into fights when outpointing the likes of Chris Billam-Smith.
That experience gives him an edge against Benavidez, who is making his first appearance in the division having spent all but the last two years of his pro career at super-middleweight.
Benavidez’s biggest weapons have always been hand speed and volume but moving up in weight can dampen both. If those fast combinations arrive a fraction slower, Ramirez has the engine and composure to bank rounds with his jab, body work and ring control.
Zurdo is also durable and difficult to discourage, meaning he should be there until the final bell.
In a competitive contest where margins may be slim, the bigger, busier cruiserweight nicking a decision is a very live play.
Tip 3 – Under 0.5 knockdowns @ 3/5
This will be a high-level boxing match rather than an all-out shootout.
Ramirez and Benavidez are both skilled operators who build pressure through volume and control, not one-punch chaos.
Ramirez has experience of sharing the ring with elite names without regularly hitting the canvas.
Benavidez is similarly tough, well-balanced and rarely gives opponents the clean openings needed to score flash knockdowns.
With so much at stake, expect a measured start and plenty of respect from both corners.
That often leads to a tactical 12-round battle where rounds are won on work rate and cleaner punching, making no knockdowns a very attractive angle.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change