HOLLYWOOD, CA. – April 14, 2026 – Unified WBA and WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez plans to make the most of his opportunity to headline Cinco de Mayo Weekend in Las Vegas as he takes on undefeated two-division world champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez in the main event of a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video on Saturday, May 2 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
“It’s an honor to be in this position,” said Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs). “You have to be a great fighter and a big name to headline Cinco de Mayo Weekend. Now it’s my time.”
Benavidez vs. Zurdo will present a first of its kind Mexico vs. Mexico matchup, as the first championship showdown between Mexican fighters to take place above 168 pounds. For the Sinaloa-native Ramirez, this historic angle adds even more juice to the biggest fight of his career.
“Fighting another Mexican is extra motivation,” said Ramirez. “We’re making history. There’s never been a fight like this between Mexican fighters this big. It’s going to be an amazing night. We’re going to leave everything we have in the ring.”
On top of their shared heritage, Ramirez and Benavidez also have a shared history inside of the ring, as Benavidez was used as a sparring partner ahead of Ramirez’s first world title fight, a 2016 victory over Arthur Abraham. When reflecting on the sparring, Ramirez remembers high-level action that should preview what fans are on for on May 2.
“Our sparring sessions would have been a great pay-per-view,” said Ramirez. “We both know that each of us has a lot of skill that we’ll be bringing into the ring. But I’ve also grown a lot as a fighter since we sparred. I’ve gotten a lot more experience that I’m gonna take into this fight.”
When Ramirez and Benavidez first shared the ring, Benavidez was still a year and a half away from becoming the youngest super middleweight world champion in boxing history. While they would both continue to win as they moved up in weight, Ramirez shared that he’s watched Benavidez and thought about them stepping into the ring for real throughout their last decade of successes.
“I’ve thought about fighting for David for about 10 years,” said Ramirez. “I think we both wanted to fight each other for that long. Now the time is almost here. David is a great fighter. I’ve been watching him a lot over the years and keeping an eye on him, knowing that one day we’d get in there together.”
Throughout a career that saw Ramirez make five successful defenses of his 168-pound belt before a 5-1 run that ended in a decision loss to Dmitry Bivol, he has perhaps reached his peak on his current cruiserweight run. Following a title-winning performance over then unbeaten Arsen Goulamirian in March 2024, Ramirez unified his WBA title with WBO champion Chris Billiam-Smith via unanimous decision that November. He then turned away the dangerous former champion Yuniel Dorticos last June, but despite the recent run of wins, he believes his best performance will come on May 2.
“I think my last two performances have been good, but they’re not as great as this performance will be,” said Ramirez. “This is gonna be a war. We’re gonna give all the Mexican people a big party on May 2.”
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ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. ZURDO
Benavidez vs. Zurdo will see a first of its kind Mexico vs. Mexico duel between undefeated two-division world champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez and unified WBA and WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video on Saturday, May 2 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Cinco de Mayo Weekend lineup begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with more Mexico vs. Mexico attractions including WBA Super Middleweight World Champion Armando “Toro” Reséndiz and all-action former world champion Jaime Munguía meeting in an explosive co-main event clash.
The action will also include top contenders going toe-to-toe as Oscar Duarte takes on Angel Fierro in a 10-round super lightweight bout, while undefeated rising Mexican star Isaac “Puro México” Lucero meets fellow unbeaten Alan Sandoval in a 10-round super welterweight opening attraction.
The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Sampson Boxing in association with TGB Promotions. Reséndiz vs. Munguia is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing and Zanfer Boxing Promotions. Duarte vs. Fierro is promoted in association with Cancun Boxing and BXSTRS.
In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the PPV via DAZN.com. On top of those options, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.
For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #BenavidezZurdo, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing & @GoldenBoyBoxing, on Instagram @PremierBoxing & @GoldenBoy, or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions & www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy
