The WBA and WBO are threatening to pull the sanctioning for a unified cruiserweight fight due to the involvement of the WBC.
An all Mexican cruiserweight mega fight between Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (48-1, 30ko’s) and David Benavidez (31-0, 25ko’s) is set for May 2nd.
After David Benavidez stopped Anthony Yarde in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in November, he announced he will be moving up to Cruiserweight to challenge Zurdo Ramirez in 2026 for his WBA and WBO world titles.
Zurdo unified the cruiserweight division back in 2024 with a dominant but competitive points victory over Chris Billiam-Smith in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Latino night.
Since then boxing fans have been calling for further unifications in the cruiserweight division.
Most notably, fans have been calling for Zurdo to face Ring Magazine champion Jai Opetaia.
With that fight failing to materialise and Opetaia joining the new and untested ZUFFA Boxing, Zurdo vs Benavidez is the next best fight to make.
An all Mexican war in the cruiserweight division will capture the imagination of the proud boxing nation, as well as attracting interest globally.
It will take place on Cinco De Mayo.
Cinco de Mayo is a historic annual celebration in Mexico, and with two fighters of Mexican heritage at the top of the sport clashing for the unified world titles, it is set to be a spectacle to behold.
However, a disagreement between governing bodies has marked a cloud over the fight.
Boxing Scene have reported that:
“The WBO and WBA are prepared to withdraw their sanctioning of the May 2 unified cruiserweight championship fight between Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and David Benavidez due to the unexpected involvement in the fight by the WBC”.
The WBC have unveiled a unique Tollan Tlatequi” belt for the Cinco De Mayo bout winner in Las Vegas.
It is believed that the WBO and WBA are expected to submit letters Friday to Golden Boy Promotions’ Oscar De La Hoya and Eric Gomez and Premier Boxing Champions’ Tom Brown and Luis DeCubas Jnr expressing their dismay.
If the WBC special belt is to be fought for, according to the letter, the WBO and WBA will not award their belts to the winner.
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