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David Benavidez Becomes Three-Division Champion With Sixth-Round TKO of ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez

The victory strengthens his bargaining power for marquee fights as promoters weigh whether Canelo Álvarez or Dmitry Bivol is the more realistic next step.

Overview

  • David Benavidez, fighting Saturday in Las Vegas, stopped Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez at 2:59 of round six after a fourth‑round knockdown and swelling that closed Ramirez’s right eye.
  • The win earned Benavidez the WBA and WBO cruiserweight belts and made him the first boxer to win major titles at 168, 175 and 200 pounds.
  • Benavidez moved to 32-0 with 26 knockouts, and Ramirez fell to 48-2 with the first stoppage loss of his career, then went to the hospital for evaluation.
  • In his post-fight remarks, Benavidez called out Canelo Álvarez and Dmitry Bivol and said he can make 175 as he still holds a WBC light heavyweight title, with Álvarez expected to return in September and Bivol slated for a May 30 defense.
  • In the co-main event, Jaime Munguía upset Armando Reséndiz by unanimous decision to capture the WBA super middleweight title, adding to a title-shifting Cinco de Mayo weekend at T-Mobile Arena.