David Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) sounded bitter last Saturday night at the post-fight press conference after his seventh-round knockout win over Anthony Yarde, explaining why he plans on moving up to cruiserweight to challenge Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez for his WBA and WBO belts next on May 2, 2026.
(Credit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney)
WBC light heavyweight champion Benavidez, 28, 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 is planning on fighting a lucrative trilogy match with Artur Beterbiev after he’s healthy enough to return to the ring.
Entitlement on Full Display
‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez came across like he was feeling sorry for himself about not being able to get the fights he wants. He sounded a little spoiled and entitled with his childish-sounding griping.
Ignoring Everyone Else’s Plans
‘The Mexican Monster’ wants fighters to give him fights when he demands them, even when they’ve got other plans. Instead of being understanding, Benavidez lashes out and burns bridges. The way he acted towards Canelo Alvarez is just one example.
“I don’t get any of these fights because these guys don’t want to fight me. If I would have had those fights available, I would have took that fight. I was trying to fight Bivol for this fight. He didn’t want to take the fight,” said David Benavidez to Ring Magazine on X.
Why Bivol Isn’t Entertaining It
See what I mean. Benavidez’s behavior is a textbook example of a spoiled fighter, having a tantrum over Bivol not giving him the fight he wants. It doesn’t matter that Bivol is coming off back surgery and is already planning to fight a trilogy match against Beterbiev. Benavidez wants his fight.
The Spoiled-Fighter Routine
“It’s been evident that I’ve wanted to take the biggest fights, but they haven’t been happening. Not on my end, but on the other end of the other fighters,” said Benavidez.
After last night’s victory over Yarde, ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez revealed the news of him challenging Zurdo Ramirez next 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,'” said David Benavidez at the post-fight press conference last night after his win over Anthony Yarde. “So, we’re going to go up there and fight Zurdo Ramirez on May 2nd.”
