The undefeated Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs), a dominant two-weight world champion, is every bit ‘The Mexican Monster’ so tabbing him as the favorite isn’t far-fetched at all. However, are oddsmakers underestimating Ramirez?

While boxing fans will definitively discover the answer to that question Saturday night in Las Vegas, we can safely say Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) presents complexities that can threaten Benavidez like he’s never been imperiled before. On paper, he might be able to match — and possibly outdo — everything Benavidez throws at him, making this mouthwatering matchup all the more must-see.

Standing 6’2½” with 75 inches of reach, Ramirez touts 2½ inches of height and a ½-inch of range advantage. One also figures ‘Zurdo’ to be the bigger man come fight night, considering Benavidez will be making his cruiserweight debut, coming up to the division from light heavyweight’s 175 pounds.

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 Intriguing styles make for classic between Benavidez and Zurdo

Watch: Tactical breakdown of both fighters

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As nightmarish of a relentless puncher that Benavidez can be — adept with both hands — ‘Zurdo’ routinely cranks up high volumes, having thrown an average of 601 punches his last two fights, perhaps indicating he can fight fire with Benavidez’ fire in the pocket.

Even in his sole loss — a November 2022 unanimous decision defeat to Dmitry Bivol — Ramirez never stopped punching to the tune of 878 blows thrown.

Just as Benavidez has excellent shot selection, Ramirez owns a deep boxing bag himself, with the ability to stab to the body with piston-like jabs or dig to the ribs with crunching uppercuts. He’s also surprisingly smooth on his feet and agile for a big cruiserweight his size. Plus, he’s shifty, sharply alternating power and hand speed, spelling the possibility to catch Benavidez by surprise.

That bodes well for the southpaw, considering the two times Benavidez tasted the canvas, it came via a flash knockdown — once with a counter left hook from Ronald Gavril way back in September 2017, the other with a right hook from David Morrell in February 2025.

And then, there’s Ramirez’ durability. In 49 professional fights, the Mexican fighter has never been stopped, let alone even knocked down.

Will Benavidez change that, becoming the first man to knock Ramirez out, snatching two of the four cruiserweight world titles in the process? Or will Ramirez, with his potent sweet science skills, hand Benavidez his first loss?

Regardless of how this massive fight transpires, ‘Zurdo’ has the tools to jeopardize Benavidez … however long this fight might last.

To own Cinco de Mayo weekend, ‘The Mexican Monster’ might be required to work harder than we’ve ever seen him before in resolving true in-ring intricacies courtesy of Ramirez.

Benavidez vs. Zurdo on DAZN PPV

Watch David Benavidez versus Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez on DAZN PPV this Saturday, May 2. Buy as a one-off PPV or get it included with the DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription, which also includes the Wardley vs. Dubois (May 9), Usyk vs. Verhoeven (May 23), Fury vs. Hall (June 13) and Zayas vs. Ennis (June 27) PPVs without any extra one-off costs.

For pricing, more information, and to sign up to watch, click here .