David Benavidez etched his name into the boxing history books Saturday night, becoming the first fighter to knock out Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and capturing two cruiserweight world titles in a dominant sixth-round stoppage at T-Mobile Arena.
Fighting in front of a sold-out crowd that included Canelo Alvarez at ringside, Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) moved up 25 pounds from his previous campaign to overpower his former sparring partner. The unbeaten challenger dropped Ramirez twice before referee Russell Mora waved off the bout at 2:59 of Round 6.
The victory secured the WBA and WBO cruiserweight championships. Benavidez, 27, now stands alone as the first boxer to win world titles at 168 pounds (super middleweight), 175 pounds (light heavyweight) and 200 pounds (cruiserweight).
Ramirez (46-2, 30 KOs), a proud Mexican champion whose only previous defeat came against three-belt light-heavyweight titleholder Dmitry Bivol, was transported to a local hospital for a head scan following the knockout.
“He’s in good spirits and has a swollen eye,” said Jane Murcia, communications director for Golden Boy Promotions. “There’s no determination of a fracture at this point.”
Benavidez controlled the action from the opening bell, using superior hand speed and volume to break down the former unified champion. The finish came with one second remaining in the sixth, as Ramirez failed to beat the count after a crushing combination.
With the victory, Benavidez adds his name to an elite list of multi-division champions while handing Ramirez just the second loss of his professional career.
