David Benavidez Stops Gilberto Ramirez in Six, Targets Bivol Next

David Benavidez produced a dominant performance in his cruiserweight debut, stopping Gilberto Ramirez in the sixth round to claim the WBA and WBO titles at T-Mobile Arena.

Benavidez’s speed and combination punching overwhelmed Ramirez from the opening round, culminating in two knockdowns and a stoppage with one second remaining in the sixth. With his right eye swollen shut, Ramirez was unable to beat referee Thomas Taylor’s count after taking a second knee, suffering the first knockout loss of his 16-year professional career.

The 29-year-old Benavidez, moving up 25 pounds for the bout, controlled the pace early as his hand speed repeatedly caught Ramirez before the champion could respond. A right hand in the opening round forced Ramirez backward, and sustained combinations soon followed, establishing a pattern that continued throughout the fight.

Benavidez’s pressure intensified in the second round, where a left hook inside the final 20 seconds drew a strong reaction from the crowd, followed by a five-punch combination that halted Ramirez’s output before the bell. The challenger’s speed advantage remained evident as Ramirez struggled to match his output.

The first knockdown came late in the fourth round after Benavidez wobbled Ramirez with a right hand and forced him onto the ropes. A follow-up flurry sent Ramirez to one knee with seconds remaining. Although he rose before the bell and was cleared to continue after a ringside inspection, the momentum had shifted decisively.

Ramirez showed resilience in the fifth round, remaining upright despite absorbing sustained punishment, but the damage was evident, particularly around his right eye. In the sixth, he attempted to respond with several punches of his own, yet Benavidez conserved his energy before unleashing another barrage that forced Ramirez down for a second time, ending the fight.

The defeat ended Ramirez’s reign after he had unified the WBA and WBO titles in 2024 with consecutive unanimous decision wins over Arsen Goulamirian and Chris Billam-Smith.

Benavidez, now a three-weight world champion and the first fighter ever to win titles at 168, 175 & 200 lbs, still holds the WBC light heavyweight title. He made clear his ambitions immediately after the fight.

“Nobody can f**k with me … I feel good, man. I just want to give fans what they want to see. I seen Canelo in the building. Let me just ask the fans this: do you guys want to see Canelo versus David Benavidez? Enough said. That means we can’t leave this fight on the table.

“I have respect for Canelo, he’s a great champion, but I’m a great champion, too. I don’t know [if it’s realistic], I’m champion at 200 and 175 – if they want to come get it at 175, let’s get it at 175.”

Benavidez also pointed toward a return to light heavyweight, where he remains titleholder, and identified a preferred target.

“Bivol is number one on my hit list.”

While a move back to 175 pounds for an undisputed clash with Dmitry Bivol remains a leading option, Benavidez’s victory also positions him among the key names at cruiserweight. The division is led by Ring champion Jai Opetaia and WBC titleholder Noel ‘Gevor’ Mikaelian, presenting alternative routes should Benavidez choose to remain at 200 pounds following his title-winning debut.