The planned cruiserweight duel between Gilberto Ramirez and David Benavidez is already causing trouble before the first bell. The WBO and WBA are threatening to withdraw their titles from the fight.
The cruiserweight clash between Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and David Benavidez scheduled for May 2 is currently causing a lot of unrest in the camp of the world federations. According to several sources, the WBO and WBA are considering removing their titles from the unification fight. The controversy was triggered by an action by the WBC. The association had invited both boxers to Mexico at short notice to present a specially designed special belt for the winner of the Cinco de Mayo duel. However, this symbolic award is now causing tensions between the associations.
WBO President Gustavo Olivieri and WBA boss Gilberto Mendoza are said to have discussed the consequences internally. According to this, it could happen that the winner of the fight will receive the special WBC belt, but the actual WBO and WBA world titles will not be awarded. The background: Benavidez is already WBC world champion at light heavyweight and is aiming for the titles of other organizations at cruiserweight. However, the WBO and WBA see their unification fight as a separate event – without additional belts from other organizations.
The dispute adds to a series of conflicts between the boxing organizations in recent weeks. Just recently, Shakur Stevenson lost his WBC belt after disagreements over fees, while the IBF is currently investigating whether Jai Opetaia could lose his belt because of an additional Zuffa Boxing title.
Text by Robin Josten