LAS VEGAS (AP) 鈥� 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 鈥淭he Mexican Monster鈥� 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 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 鈥淶urdo鈥� Ramirez.
鈥淎 win on Saturday lets me know that I鈥檓 fulfilling my destiny,” Benavidez said. 鈥淚 know that I鈥檓 going to be an all-time great when it鈥檚 all said and done. I鈥檓 just going to continue showing everyone that I鈥檓 the best in the world.鈥�
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.
鈥淚鈥檝e been training extremely hard,” Benavidez said. “I鈥檝e got five months in this training camp because I knew Zurdo Ramirez is a great fighter. He鈥檚 a great champion. I know he鈥檚 going to come to fight.鈥�
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.
鈥淭hat was a fight that my team and even Zurdo鈥檚 team wanted for a long time because we had worked together,” Benavidez said. “He鈥檚 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鈥檓 a bad (expletive) and I just like the risk.鈥�
Ramirez, a 34-year-old from Mexico, appeared just as confident, though a lot more low key.
鈥淭he people, they talk,” Ramirez said. “I just train hard to put a great show, to prove myself, to prove to everyone that I鈥檓 still champion.鈥�
Julian Chua, who trains Ramirez, said the workout sessions have gone well.
鈥淲e’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.
鈥淭his is what Cinco de Mayo represents and this is what Mexican boxing represents.鈥�
In the co-main event, WBA super middleweight champion Armando Res茅ndiz (16-2, 11 KOs) faces former champ Jaime Munguia (45-2, 35 KOs).
鈥淭his could not be more exciting for me,” Res茅ndiz said. 鈥淚鈥檓 the champ and it feels amazing. I鈥檓 enjoying the moment. That鈥檚 all you can do. Enjoy this and go for the win on Saturday night.鈥�
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