Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez is the betting underdog for Saturday, when he’ll defend his WBO cruiserweight title against David Benavidez in a pay-per-view main event from Las Vegas.
Ramirez (48-1, 30 KO) has established himself as a top dog in the cruiserweight division, while Benavidez (31-0, 25 KO) is moving up in weight after a three-fight stint at light heavyweight, after spending the bulk of his career at 168.
But neither man is talking trash, both sides showing real respect for the other, and Ramirez,
34, says he doesn’t care about the oddsmakers’ lines.
“I’m the champ. I don’t feel disrespect,” he said. “I just train hard to put a great show to prove myself and prepare to be still champion.”
The jump to cruiserweight is much bigger than going from 168 to 175, with a 25 lb increase in limit, but “Zurdo” is also not banking on Benavidez being anything but completely prepared, saying, “I think he’s ready for the division. That’s why he moved up.”
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