Teddy Atlas believes one fighter holds a slight edge ahead of the clash between David Benavidez and Gilberto Ramirez on Saturday.
Benavidez looks to become a three-division world champion this weekend when he makes the ambitious step up to cruiserweight to challenge unified champion Ramirez for his WBA and WBO titles at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
With the fight just hours away, well-respected trainer-turned-analyst Atlas has delivered his final verdict on the clash, revealing on The Fight that he believes ‘The Mexican Monster’ should come out on top in a competitive battle.
“I like Benavidez. I think it’s going to be a tight fight. It’s going to be a good fight and a real competitive fight where I wouldn’t be shocked if you could even think about a draw.
“I think Benavidez’s speed will be a difference and his ability to open up in those bursts, but the steadiness of Ramirez and the ability…Benavidez will put punches together and run punches on you, especially if he gets you up against the ropes, but Ramirez will run punches on you too.
“He can counterpunch. He can mix it up pretty good, he can fight outside, inside, both of them love to go to the body, I think it’s going to be a very tight, competitive fight.
“A little bit more pure talent on the side of Benavidez, but don’t forget there’s a talent in being steady, being reliable, being consistent, and Ramirez is that. I like Benavidez in a real tight fight.”
One man who unsurprisingly disagrees with Atlas is Ramirez’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya, who has criticised the chin of ‘The Mexican Monster’ ahead of Saturday’s showdown and believes his charge will win by knockout.
