Benavidez Blasts Bivol, Takes Cruiserweight Shot vs Zurdo

David Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) sounded bitter at the post-fight press conference last Saturday night following his seventh-round knockout victory over Anthony Yarde, explaining why he plans to move up to cruiserweight to challenge Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez for his WBA and WBO belts next on May 2, 2026.

(Credit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney)

Benavidez, 28, WBC light heavyweight champion, says he would have stayed at 175 to fight IBF, WBA and WBO champion Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed championship, but he didn’t want to fight him. Bivol is coming off back surgery and plans to fight a lucrative trilogy match with Artur Beterbiev after he is healthy enough to return to the ring.

Right to full display

‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez appeared to feel sorry for himself for not getting the fights he wants. He sounded a little spoiled and entitled with his childish-sounding appeal.

Ignore everyone else’s plans

‘The Mexican Monster’ wants fighters to give him fights when he demands them, even when they have other plans. Instead of being understanding, Benavidez lashes out and burns bridges. The way he acted against Canelo Alvarez is just one example.

“I’m not getting any of these fights because these guys don’t want to fight me. If I would have had those fights available, I would have taken that fight. I tried to fight Bivol for this fight. He didn’t want to take the fight,” David Benavidez told Ring Magazine. X.

Why Bivol doesn’t entertain it

See what I mean. Benavidez’s behavior is a textbook example of a spoiled fighter throwing a tantrum over Bivol not giving him the fight he wants. It doesn’t matter that Bivol is coming off back surgery and already plans to fight a trilogy match against Beterbiev. Benavidez wants his fight.

The Spoil Warrior Routine

“It was clear that I wanted to take the biggest fights, but they didn’t happen. Not on my side, but on the other side of the other fighters,” Benavidez said.

After last night’s win over Yarde, ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez revealed the news that he will next challenge Zurdo Ramirez on May 2, 2026. That fight is expected to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“I have an opportunity to go up to fight at cruiserweight for two titles (WBA and WBO against Gilberto Ramirez), and I said, ‘Let’s get it,'” David Benavidez said at the post-fight press conference last night after his win over Anthony Yarde. “So, we’re going to go out there and fight Zurdo Ramirez on May 2nd.”