05/03/26 12:19:00
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05/03 00:17 CDT Benavidez KOs Ramirez in the 6th to win the WBA and WBO
cruiserweight titles
Benavidez KOs Ramirez in the 6th to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles
By MARK ANDERSON
AP Sports Writer
LAS VEGAS (AP) --- David Benavidez became the first boxer to win championships
at 168, 175 and 200 pounds, pounding his former sparring partner Gilberto
"Zurdo" Ramirez and knocking him out at 2:59 of the sixth round to win the WBA
and WBO cruiserweight titles on Saturday night.
Benavidez (32-0, 26 knockouts) not only remained undefeated, but showed why he
was a -600 favorite in twice sending Ramirez (48-2, 30 KOs) to the canvas.
In the co-main event, WBA super middleweight championship fight, Jaime Mungua
(46-2, 35 KOs) upset title holder Armando Resndiz (16-3, 11 KOs) by winning a
resounding unanimous decision. Resndiz was a -200 favorite, but Mungua ---
the former WBO junior middleweight champ --- was the aggressor from the start
and won by scores of 117-111, 119-109 and 120-108.
"It feels great to have this championship belt with me, but this is just the
beginning," Mungua said. "I'm excited for what comes next. We are ready for
big challenges and great fights."
Benavidez fought with Canelo Alvarez sitting ring side. He had chased Canelo
with hopes of setting up a showdown, but Alvarez never agreed to it, and it
might never happen.
"I see Canelo in the building," Benavidez said to cheers, again arguing they
should meet.
Boxing fans, or least those who support Benavidez, haven't forgotten how Canelo
has yet to take on the match. Alvarez, wearing a black Mungua T-shirt, was
booed all three times he was shown on the large video board. Benavidez, who was
born in Phoenix and lives in Miami, later was cheered while shown going through
prefight preparations.
He then gave his fans plenty more to cheer about.
Benavidez, even when being backed down by Ramirez, delivered his signature
rapid-fire combinations, usually pelting his opponent's head. A right hand to
Ramirez's head in the fourth staggered him, and Benavidez went for the knockout
but settled for the knockdown at the end of the round when Zurdo went down to
his left knee.
Then two rounds later, Ramirez again went to a knee. This time, the fight was
over.
And now the 29-year-old Benavidez can make a credible argument after dominating
the 34-year-old Mexican that he one of the sport's best pound-for-pound boxers
if not right at the top.
___
AP boxing: https://apnews.com/boxing
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