Gilberto Ramirez on Why Benavidez Is Different
Ramirez contrasted that style with Opetaia’s in unusually blunt terms. While acknowledging Opetaia’s ability, he described him as a fighter who takes chances rather than one who enforces sustained work. “Opetaia, he’s taking some chances,” Ramirez said. “David Benavidez, he keeps pushing forward.”
That distinction is important because Opetaia is widely considered the division’s defining opponent, the fighting champions expected to be racing to prove themselves. Ramirez didn’t fire him, but he separated danger from reputation. In his opinion, pressure wears down champions faster than a few moments of risk, and Benavidez applies it without pause.
Ramirez also dismissed the idea that weight will be a built-in advantage for him. He repeatedly described Benavidez as already too big for light heavyweight. “He’s big,” Ramirez said. “I don’t know how he got to 175. He has the size to be a cruiserweight, even a heavyweight one day.”
There was no suggestion that Benavidez’s move up would blunt his output or slow his pace. If anything, Ramirez spoke as if the change removes a restriction rather than imposing one.
That outlook helps explain why the fight came together quickly. Ramirez said the fight didn’t surprise him and that discussions moved quickly once both sides were on board. “It was pretty quick, the discussion and the agreement,” he said. “We worked to make it happen.”
Ramirez, in particular, made no effort to point out technical errors or past moments of vulnerability in Benavidez’s resume. When asked what gives him the edge, his answer remained simple. “I am the champion,” he said. “I train the right way. I’m smart and I’m a fighter.”
A champion’s read about the risk
He also admitted he doesn’t study opponents obsessively. “I don’t watch that much boxing, honestly,” Ramirez said, framing his confidence as experience-based rather than analytical.
Taken together, Ramirez’s comments draw a clear line. He’s not treating Benavidez as a novelty challenger or a stopgap while he waits for another name. He identifies as the kind of opponent who creates real problems at cruiserweight, the one who forces constant work and refuses to slow down a fight.
According to Ramirez, the most demanding fight in the division is not necessarily the one everyone is waiting for. This is the one that comes to the fore towards the end.
