Can ‘Zurdo’ Halt the Momentum of the ‘Mexican Monster’?
An expected cruiserweight clash between Gilberto Ramirez and David Benavidez has been marketed as an inevitable bout of violence set for May 2nd, 2026. With Ramirez at 200 pounds, discipline and ring control often outweigh aggression; ‘Zurdo’ does not enter this fight as a stationary target. His record across multiple weight classes reflects a fighter who builds structure first and power second, which matters against a volume-driven opponent like Dmitry Bivol, who has been the only fighter to hand Ramirez a loss. Benavidez understands the risks involved in this bout against the ‘Zurdo’, as his focus remains on Light-Heavyweight Champion, Bivol. Therefore, ‘The Mexican Monster’ needs Ramirez to make mistakes to achieve success and get that shot in the future. The unique aspect of this matchup is that both fighters have previously sparred against each other over multiple sessions spanning years. Therefore, this brawl will not be a case of spontaneous combustion of sparks colliding between two strangers, but rather a competitive, fiery clash between two former partners.
Ramirez’s championship tenure at the Super Middleweight Division established more than credibility. It established rhythm management. He has fought through 12-round contests without abandoning balance, even when opponents attempted to raise the tempo. That experience carries forward at cruiserweight, where composure under sustained pressure becomes a competitive edge. Benavidez knows better than to underestimate ‘Zurdo’, knowing he’s a southpaw fighter, and his record shows that many of his opponents doubted his speed and ring IQ, leading to devastating consequences.
The ‘Mexican Monster’ would look to compress space immediately. His approach depends on high punch output, short recovery windows, and forcing exchanges in tight quarters. That strategy overwhelmed many at 168 pounds. Cruiserweight changes the physical dynamics. Ramirez’s larger frame and natural comfort at the weight could absorb early surges and gradually impose control through measured counters. Benavidez may favor hard-hitting punches over quick flurries in this fight, and that adaptation will make or break either fighter here.
Durability shapes this matchup as much as style. ‘Zurdo’ has demonstrated the ability to withstand sustained offense without panicking. He rarely chases knockouts recklessly, which reduces exposure against combination-heavy attacks. If Benavidez pushes the pace without securing early breakthroughs, Ramirez’s patience could redirect momentum in the middle rounds. However, he has proven himself to still deliver capable knockout power when driven to a corner, as evident in his career. Conditioning also becomes central over the course of 12 rounds. The 34-year-old Ramirez has proven he can sustain calculated output without fading late. That stamina forces opponents to remain defensively responsible for the entire fight. However, the ‘Mexican Monster’ thrives when opponents break structure under pressure.
In my view, Ramirez’s composure and weight-class maturity give him the subtle advantage that, while it may not result in Benavidez struggling even to maintain a jab, his composure will certainly carry him over the 12 rounds via the judges' ruling. Benavidez will not retreat or resort to desperation tactics; he will rely on his outcornering of opponents and ability to deliver more punches, managing his risk assessment of the ‘Mexican Monster’. Benavidez will play into ‘Zudro’s’ hands by underestimating his raw power output. By leveraging his opponent’s expectations, Ramirez can win rounds consistently if he can bait his opponent into overestimating his physical ability, leading to an ill-timed overhand right. This opens the opportunity for ‘Zurdo’ to land accurate punches.
