Eric Gomez of Golded Boy Promotions says negotiations are happening for a struggle between David Benavidez and WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez. Each fighters should win their subsequent fights for the struggle to occur. That’s the main complication that would hinder the competition from happening.
Gomez Confirms the Talks
Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) is defending his WBC gentle heavyweight title towards Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) on November 22, 2025, in The Ring IV on DAZN PPV, on the ANB Area in Riyadh. That’s a struggle that Benavidez is predicted to win.
Gomez says that ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) will likely be dealing with IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia subsequent in a unification. That contest is way from a sure-thing win for Ramirez, as Opetaia (28-0, 22 KOs) is taken into account by many as the perfect fighter within the cruiserweight division.
“Yeah, look, we’re engaged on it. Proper now, the negotiations are underway for an enormous struggle in 2026 between Zurdo and Benavidez,” stated Golden Boy president Eric Gomez to Salvador Rodriguez on X a couple of struggle between David Benavidez and WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez.
Zurdo Faces Opetaia Hazard
It could be a greater thought for Golden Boy to attend for the Ramirez vs. Opetaia struggle to occur fairly than beginning negotiations with Benavidez now. That struggle is simply too dangerous for Gilberto, as his promoters could be within the early phases of planning his subsequent struggle towards Benavidez. If Ramirez loses to Opetaia, there will likely be numerous upset followers who pinned their hopes on the assumption that Gilberto would win.
If Both Loses, It’s Over
“In fact, all of it will depend on them profitable their subsequent fights. Zurdo has his [unification] towards [IBF champion Jai] Opetaia in cruiserweight, and Benavidez has to get previous [Anthony] Yarde at gentle heavyweight,” stated Gomez. “But when they each come via, that is taking place.”
If Golden Boy took the struggle with Benavidez first for Ramirez, followers could be happy. In fact, that will put the Opetaia struggle in danger as a result of Benavidez would have a good chance of beating Ramirez.
“There’s a ton of curiosity on each side. David [Benavidez] is tremendous excited—he’s been telling me, ‘Man, I need to struggle Zurdo; that will be a monster Mexican showdown.’ We’ve had actually good conversations with Sampson Lewkowicz, Zurdo’s promoter. Every little thing’s lining up. This isn’t a couple of Canelo rematch or something like that—it’s about unifying these divisions, placing on a high-stakes conflict between two beasts. It might be big for boxing.”
“Completely actual. We’re working [on it]—we’re displaying the best way,” stated Gomez. “And yeah, Benavidez loves the thought. This struggle is on the desk, and it’s going to be a complete warfare.”
