LAS VEGAS (AP) — In David Benavidez's perfect world, he would be preparing for a Cinco de Mayo weekend showdown Saturday against Canelo Alvarez, the big-name fighter “The Mexican Monster” pursued only to be repeatedly rebuffed.
Benavidez almost certainly won't ever see his dream come true of facing Alvarez, a reality he and many boxing fans have begrudgingly accepted. Maybe it doesn't matter anymore after Canelo was soundly beaten by Terence Crawford
last September for the unified super middleweight title.
But that doesn't make what's set to take place this weekend any less worthy for Benavidez. The Phoenix native and Miami resident could make history by becoming the first champion at 168, 175 and 200 pounds if he beats WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.
“A win on Saturday lets me know that I’m fulfilling my destiny," Benavidez said. “I know that I’m going to be an all-time great when it’s all said and done. I’m just going to continue showing everyone that I’m the best in the world.”
Benavidez (31-0, 25 knockouts) is a substantial -450 favorite win those belts and remain undefeated. But Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) is more than a capable boxer, and he isn't the one moving up 25 pounds to take on the reigning champion.
“I’ve been training extremely hard," Benavidez said. "I’ve got five months in this training camp because I knew Zurdo Ramirez is a great fighter. He’s a great champion. I know he’s going to come to fight.”
Both fighters showed enormous respect toward each other, acknowledging the other's abilities and not disparaging each other.
Benavidez, 29, delivers punches in bunches, overwhelming opponents with power and volume. He will have to try to get inside against the largest fighter he has faced.
The boxers have a personal history, having sparred together, and helping each other prepare for other opponents. They likely would be rooting for each other if they weren't meeting in the ring.
“That was a fight that my team and even Zurdo’s team wanted for a long time because we had worked together," Benavidez said. "He’s a great champion. Those sparring sessions that we had were pay-per-view sparring sessions, so we always told ourselves that we had to make this happen. But at the end of the day, I’m a bad (expletive) and I just like the risk.”
Ramirez, a 34-year-old from Mexico, appeared just as confident, though a lot more low key.
“The people, they talk," Ramirez said. "I just train hard to put a great show, to prove myself, to prove to everyone that I’m still champion.”
Julian Chua, who trains Ramirez, said the workout sessions have gone well.
“We've got a great game plan like for everyone who tries to fight David," Chua said. "If you don't do your homework, you're in trouble. We've done our homework.
“This is what Cinco de Mayo represents and this is what Mexican boxing represents.”
In the co-main event, WBA super middleweight champion Armando Reséndiz (16-2, 11 KOs) faces former champ Jaime Munguia (45-2, 35 KOs).
“This could not be more exciting for me," Reséndiz said. “I’m the champ and it feels amazing. I’m enjoying the moment. That’s all you can do. Enjoy this and go for the win on Saturday night.”
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AP boxing: https://apnews.com/boxing
