LAS VEGAS — David Benavidez hasn’t given up the dream of facing Canelo Alvarez – and now he might have leverage.
Benavidez put on a show with Alvarez moving up 25 pounds in weight and dominating former sparring partner Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, AP reported.
He twice sent Ramirez to the canvas, including knocking him out at 2:59 of the sixth round to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles and become the first boxer to win championships at 168, 175 and 200 pounds.
Benavidez (32-0, 26 knockouts) not only remained undefeated, but showed why he was a -600 favorite over Ramirez (48-2, 30 KOs).
Ramirez was taken to a hospital to receive a head scan, according to Jane Murcia, communications director for Golden Boy Promotions.
“He´s in good spirits and has a swollen eye,” Murcia said. “There´s no determination of a fracture at this point.”
In the co-main event, WBA super middleweight championship fight, Jaime Munguía (46-2, 35 KOs) upset title holder Armando Resendiz (16-3, 11 KOs) by winning a resounding unanimous decision.
Resendiz was a -200 favourite, but Munguía – the former WBO junior middleweight champ – was the aggressor from the start and won by scores of 117-111, 119-109 and 120-108.
“It feels great to have this championship belt with me, but this is just the beginning,” Munguia said. “I´m excited for what comes next. We are ready for big challenges and great fights.”
Benavidez has chased Canelo with hopes of setting up a showdown, but Alvarez never agreed to it and it has been looking unlikely to happen.
Maybe now it’s different, and Benavidez didn’t waste the opportunity to make the case yet again.
“I see Canelo in the building. Let me just ask the fans this. Do you guys want to see Canelo versus David Benavidez?” the man known as “The Mexican Monster” asked, drawing a roar from the crowd.
