David Benavidez is being pushed into the Ramirez fight as a proving ground rather than a destination, with his own trainer making clear that beating Ramirez is only meaningful if it shows he belongs alongside Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev.
The statement cuts through the build around the Cinco de Mayo date and places the responsibility firmly on Benavidez to do more than collect rounds.
At this stage of his career, a routine decision does little. He needs a performance with authority, something that stamps his name into the upper tier rather than leaving it in rotation.
Trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. made that expectation explicit during Saturday’s press conference in Las Vegas, stating, “David Benavidez doesn’t just have to win. He has to show out to prove he can go after the Bivols and Beterbievs.” His words confirmed that the Ramirez fight is being treated inside the camp as a test of readiness for the division’s established champions, not the final step.
The fight, scheduled for May 2 at T-Mobile Arena and headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View on Prime Video, matches two unbeaten champions from different weight paths. Ramirez enters as the unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion, while Benavidez arrives after building his standing across two divisions. Their meeting on Cinco de Mayo weekend brings attention, but the expectation inside Benavidez’s camp focuses on validation rather than celebration.
Benavidez himself acknowledged the significance of the moment and its role in his rise. “I feel like I’m on the cusp of being the face of boxing,” he said. “Now we’re going for two titles on May 2, and I’m very grateful.” His comments reinforced that he sees this fight as part of a larger climb toward the sport’s top tier.
Ramirez enters with confidence built on his championship run at cruiserweight and long familiarity with Benavidez dating back to sparring sessions earlier in their careers. “I knew this would happen eventually,” Ramirez said. “Right now is the right moment at 200 pounds. We’re going to feel comfortable and be at our best.” His side views the fight as confirmation of his standing rather than an introduction.
The hierarchy surrounding the bout remains clear. Ramirez holds the belts, but the expectations being placed on Benavidez go beyond winning a title. He is being measured against the fighters who currently define the division. If he cannot separate himself clearly from Ramirez, the path toward Bivol and Beterbiev becomes harder to justify.
Benavidez is stepping into the most important fight of his career with the burden of proof already defined by his own team, and that reality leaves little room for anything less than a convincing performance.
