Off his devastating 6th round demolition of Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez to win the WBA/WBO cruiserweight titles Saturday night, David Benavidez looks more and more unstoppable. That raises the question: who's got a legit shot at 220 lb. or even, back at 175 lb., to do it?
Off his demolition of Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez to win the unified crusierweight titles Saturday night in Las Vegas, David Benavidez looks like the man to beat, not just in one, but two weight classes. So, the legit question is: who realistically has a shot to beat a primed and ready "El Monstro?"
First, a quick recap of what Benavidez did to the previously 48-1 Ramirez inside of six rounds in the "PBC on Prime Video" main event can be found here.
He was fast with hard combinations and completely overwhelmed a seasoned, two division world champ into submission with what looked like a fractured right eye orbital.
Here was what the 29 year old Benavidez said to Prime Video post-fight in the ring,
"I just wanted to give [Ramirez] thanks for the opportunity,” said Benavidez. “I love Zurdo Ramirez. You know, we came up together. We came up sparring together. I got him ready for his world championship fights. He got me ready for my world championship fights. So, I just want to say I love Zurdo Ramirez, but, you know, it is what it is in here. There’s only one Monster.”
The bout was slightly bitter sweet in that both fighters admitted being friendly rivals who had sparred over a hundred rounds previously in the last decade or so.
Then, the subject turned to the always important "what is next" for Benavidez?
"I just want to give the fans what they want to see. I see Canelo is in the building. Let me just ask the fans this. Do you guys want to see Canelo versus David Benavidez? Enough said. That means we can’t leave that fight on the table. I have respect for Canelo. He’s a great champion. I’m a great champion, too. Let's do it.
Again, under the premise of realism- Canelo isn't fighting Benavidez now or ever. He avoided him for almost two years to the point of being stripped of the WBC super middleweight title rather than fight him
And, Canelo is clearly at the end of his hall of fame career and announced Saturday that he will be fighting Christian MBilli in Saudi Arabia in September. He also has a slight chance that fellow, future hall of fame Terence Crawford, who beat Canelo last September, might un-retire and have one less mega-fight for Alvarez.
Benavidez continued late Saturday with what is a dilemma for weight class and bigger bouts,
"I'm still champion at 175. I’m champion at 175 and 200. So, if they want to come get it at 175, let’s get it at 175. Bivol is the number one on my hit list. He's a great competitor, great champion, but I'm a good champion, too. I just want to test myself every single fight.
"I don't care who it is, man. Nobody can f*ck with me.”
Watch insider Dan Rafael breakdown Benavidez's performance with me off our "Big Fight Weekend Post-Fight Show" on Youtube here:
Benavidez will have to decide soon on staying at cruiserweight and keeping the WBA/WBO titles or moving back down to light heavyweight, where he has the WBC belt.
And, there is a realistic chance that a massive fight with three belt unified champ Dmitry Bivol of Russia could be made later this year. This, as Bivol, 24-1, 12 KOs is back in the ring later this month fighting mandatory challenger Michael Eiffert in his first fight in almost a year.
That sets up for a possible huge battle for significance in the ring and huge money on potential PPV, too, with Benavidez late in 2026.
If "Monstro" stays at cruiserweight there's some thought that Turki Alashikh might try to engineer Benavidez fighting former IBF champ, unbeaten, power punching, Jai Opetaia. Opetaia, 30-0, 23 KOs, signed with fledgling Zuffa Boxing earlier this year, but got his title stripped when he fought for them in March.
So, there's a complication, as well.
There are other options with less noteworthy fighters, too, but the biggest question to answer is who wants to battle a Benavidez who has demonstrated speed and power over the last 4-5 fights at light heavyweight and now cruiserweight?
That, needs an answer.