April 28, Fightweek Ramirez vs. Benavidez, Diary #1: BOXSPORT expert Andreas Selak traces the spirit of the Mexican “Cinco de Mayo” in Las Vegas.
Just in time for the start of the Mexican fight week in Las Vegas, I will be traveling from Munich via Frankfurt to Vegas on Monday evening with Lufthansa. Because on Saturday (May 2), the “Cinco de Mayo”, the eagerly awaited cruiserweight world championship will take place in the T-Mobile Arena. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, the defending champion from Mexico, will face challenger David Benavidez, an American with Mexican roots.
But what is so special about “Cinco de Mayo” (May 5th)? And what significance does this day have for Mexicans? This is precisely the question I want to explore here on site. I meet José Benavidez Sr, David Benavidez’s father and trainer, at the MGM Grand Hotel on Tuesday morning. For him, the answer is clear: “It means everything to us.”
A day to make history
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory against the French invasion army in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, making this date a symbol of pride and love of country for Mexican boxers – and a day to make history.
Benavidez Sr. explains that it is not always easy for Mexicans born in the USA to be accepted by their own people. But that is exactly what his son David, who grew up in Phoenix (Arizona), wants to change in the ring – with passion, hard work and a spectacular fighting style.
As a 15-year-old, David, who won all of his 31 professional fights (25 knockouts), sparred with boxing greats such as Kelly Pavlik and Gennady Golovkin and left an impression. It was not for nothing that Mike Tyson nicknamed him “The Monster”.
A “tough nut to crack” awaits
On Saturday, Benavidez, who was world champion at super-middleweight and then boxed his way to the top at light-heavyweight, faces a “tough opponent”, as his father puts it: Gilberto Ramirez (48-1, 30 knockouts), WBO and WBA (super) cruiserweight champion.
The emotion and determination in Benavidez’s team is clear to see, I had goosebumps when we met. Fightweek officially begins on Cinco de Mayo on Wednesday with a public press training session. And then Las Vegas will become a pilgrimage city for Mexicans …
