Next weekend, a classic Cinco de Mayo showdown takes place, as David Benavidez steps up to cruiserweight to challenge Gilberto Ramirez for the unified world titles in the 200lb division. Now, two-division world champion Andre Ward has provided his prediction for the bout.
Ramirez got his hands on the WBO super-middleweight world title back in 2016 and made five title defences before a move up to light-heavyweight, where he suffered a first career defeat when challenging for Dmitry Bivol’s WBA crown.
A move up to cruiserweight soon followed and ‘Zurdo’ has since won four straight contests by unanimous decision; including the dethroning of both Arsen Goulamirian (WBA) and Chris Billam-Smith (WBO) to become the unified champion of the division.
Yet, despite losing only once in his 49 career fights and being the reigning champion, Ramirez enters his showdown against divisional debutant Benavidez as the underdog.
Speaking on the All The Smoke Fight podcast, Ward agreed with the oddsmakers’ assessment, admitting that he makes undefeated two-division world champion Benavidez the favourite ahead of next weekend’s intriguing scrap.
“He has got the age advantage, he is younger, he is 29 years old. He has less miles [on the clock], he has never been beaten. Anytime you have been knocked down or beaten, that is a scar that you have to wear – he don’t have that scar going into this fight, but Zurdo does.
“I think that it’s going to be a great fight, that I give David Benavidez a slight edge to. This is a 60/40 situation for me, maybe a little more in his favour, maybe 65/35, but that is just because he hasn’t lost.
“We haven’t seen that blueprint [to beat him] and, even if guys have good rounds, they don’t have good fights against him. Ultimately, they are worn down, mentally, physically and emotionally, and David Benavidez takes over. Ultimately, he stops guys or he beats them up and gets his hand raised.”
Ramirez vs. Benavidez takes place Saturday, May 2, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where Jaime Munguia challenges for the WBA super-middleweight throne on the undercard.
