David Benavidez vs Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez: Date, Start Time, Undercard and How to Watch the Cruiserweight Title Clash

May is shaping up to be a blockbuster month for boxing, and one of the most intriguing fights on the calendar sees David Benavidez attempt to become a three-weight world champion. The unbeaten American, known as “The Mexican Monster,” is stepping up to cruiserweight to challenge Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez for his WBO title in Las Vegas. This is a high-stakes clash between two elite fighters at a crossroads, and the boxing world is buzzing. Here is everything you need to know about the fight, including the date, start time, undercard details, and how to watch.

When is Benavidez vs Zurdo? Date and Venue

The Benavidez vs Ramirez fight is officially scheduled for Saturday, 2 May. The venue is the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the same arena that has hosted some of the biggest fights in recent memory, including Canelo vs. Golovkin and Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder. For Benavidez, this is a homecoming of sorts, as he has fought in Las Vegas multiple times, but this is his first main event at the T-Mobile Arena. For Ramirez, it is a chance to defend his title on enemy soil against a massively popular opponent.

While exact timings for the event have not been officially locked in, based on standard PPV and Showtime/PBC scheduling, the main card is expected to begin at 1am BST on Sunday, 3 May. That translates to 5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET on Saturday, 2 May in the United States. The main event ring walks for Benavidez and Ramirez are tentatively scheduled for 4am BST on Sunday (8pm PT / 10pm CT / 11pm ET on Saturday). As always, these times are subject to change depending on the length of the undercard fights.

How to Watch: Live Stream and TV Information

This is a premium event, and fans will need to purchase it via pay-per-view. The fight is being promoted by Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) and will be available on Amazon Prime Video in the United States via PPV. For international viewers, the broadcast rights will vary by region, but it is expected to be available on DAZN in several markets, including the UK and Mexico. Here is a quick breakdown:

• USA: Amazon Prime Video PPV (Price TBA, typically around $69.99-$79.99)
• UK: DAZN PPV (Price TBA, typically around £19.99-£24.99)
• Mexico: DAZN or TV Azteca (Check local listings)
• Canada: DAZN PPV

Fans should check their local providers in the week leading up to the fight for official pricing and availability. The undercard will also be streamed live on the same platform, starting with the preliminary bouts before the main card.

Expert Analysis: The Tale of the Tape

This is a fascinating matchup because both men are at very different stages of their careers, yet both have everything to lose. David Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) is the younger, more explosive fighter at 29 years old. He is moving up from light-heavyweight after dominating the division, but he struggled to make weight at 175lbs. His last fight, a brutal stoppage of Anthony Yarde in November, showed his devastating power and relentless pressure. Benavidez is a volume puncher who throws combinations in bunches, and he has incredible stamina for a man his size. He has been chasing fights with Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, but with Bivol’s next fight already set and the Beterbiev trilogy still in play, Benavidez decided to take the more dangerous route: moving up to cruiserweight to face a naturally bigger man.

Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) is the defending champion at 34 years old. He is a tall, lanky southpaw with a massive reach advantage. His only loss came against Bivol in 2022, a fight where he was outboxed but not hurt. Since then, he has rebounded well, winning the WBO cruiserweight title by decision over Yuniel Dorticos in June 2024. Ramirez is a slick boxer who uses his jab and movement to control distance. He has good power, but he is not a one-punch knockout artist. His key advantage in this fight is his size. He is a natural cruiserweight who walks around at 210-220lbs, while Benavidez will be moving up from 175lbs. The question is: can Benavidez’s speed and pressure overcome Ramirez’s size and boxing IQ?

Statistically, this is a clash of styles. Benavidez lands over 25 punches per round, a volume that is almost unheard of at cruiserweight. Ramirez lands about half that, but he is more accurate and defensively responsible. The key factor will be punch resistance. Benavidez has never been knocked down, but he has been hit cleanly. Ramirez has a solid chin, but he was outboxed by Bivol, not stopped. If Benavidez can walk through Ramirez’s jab and land his signature body shots, he could break the champion down. If Ramirez can keep the fight at range and use his reach, he could outpoint Benavidez over 12 rounds.

Undercard: What to Expect

The full undercard for Benavidez vs Ramirez has not been officially announced, but based on PBC’s history, we can expect a stacked lineup of contenders and prospects. Here is what is likely to be featured:

• Co-Main Event: A light-heavyweight bout between Oleksandr Gvozdyk and a top contender (possibly a rematch with Callum Smith or a fight with Joshua Buatsi). Gvozdyk is looking to re-establish himself after his loss to Beterbiev.
• Featherweight Showdown: Brandon Figueroa or Rey Vargas could appear, as both are under the PBC banner and need a big fight.
• Prospect Bouts: Expect undefeated fighters like Jesus Ramos or Alberto Puello to get showcase fights on the undercard.
• Heavyweight Action: PBC often includes a heavyweight slugfest, so a fight involving Frank Sanchez or Efe Ajagba is possible.

Fans should stay tuned to official PBC social media channels for the final undercard announcement, which is expected around two weeks before the fight. The preliminary card will likely start at 10pm BST on Saturday (2pm PT / 4pm CT / 5pm ET).

Prediction: Who Wins and Why?

This is genuinely a 50-50 fight on paper, but I lean towards David Benavidez. The reason is simple: pressure and volume. Ramirez is a very good boxer, but he has a history of slowing down in the later rounds. Against Bivol, he faded after round 8. Against Dorticos, he was outworked in spots. Benavidez, on the other hand, gets stronger as the fight goes on. His conditioning is legendary, and he throws punches in bunches from the first bell to the last.

The size difference is real, and Ramirez will have a 5-inch reach advantage. But Benavidez has fought taller fighters before (like Caleb Plant) and found a way to get inside. His body punching will be the key. If he can hurt Ramirez to the body in the middle rounds, he can slow down the champion’s movement and set up a late stoppage. I expect a competitive first half, with Ramirez using his jab to score points. But by the championship rounds, Benavidez’s relentless pressure will overwhelm the older man. I predict a unanimous decision win for Benavidez, with scores of 116-112 or 115-113, or a late-round stoppage if Ramirez tires.

However, if Ramirez can land a clean left hand early and hurt Benavidez, the dynamic changes completely. The southpaw stance could cause Benavidez problems, as he has struggled slightly with lefties in the past. This is a true crossroads fight, and the winner will become a major player at cruiserweight, potentially setting up a unification bout with the winner of Jai Opetaia vs. Mairis Briedis or a fight with Lawrence Okolie.

Conclusion: A Must-Watch for Boxing Fans

The Benavidez vs Ramirez fight is the kind of matchup that defines a career. For Benavidez, it is a chance to prove he can dominate at his third weight class and silence critics who say he has avoided elite competition. For Ramirez, it is an opportunity to add the biggest name to his resume and show that his loss to Bivol was a fluke. The date is set: Saturday, 2 May, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card kicks off at 1am BST (8pm ET), and the main event ring walks are expected around 4am BST (11pm ET).

Whether you are a fan of technical boxing or all-out warfare, this fight has it all. Mark your calendars, clear your schedules, and get ready for a night of fireworks. The Mexican Monster is coming to cruiserweight, and Zurdo is ready to defend his kingdom. Do not miss it.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.