Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez won’t be defending his WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles against contender Robin Safar as planned on January 16th.
Safar suffered a hand injury in his last bout in November and won’t be able to challenge Ramirez for his titles next month. With the fight off, Ramirez will face David Benavidez next in May on Cinco de Mayo.
The injury may work in ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez’s favor, as there’s less risk of him getting injured that could delay his bout against ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez. He’s going to need to be 100% healthy for him to hold onto his belts against the unbeaten challenger.
Mike Coppinger revealed the next day of Safar’s injury. The #4 WBO Safar will now fight Chris Billiam Smith or Ryan Rozicki next.
Ramirez has got to up his game for him to defeat Benavidez, as he’s not looked like his usual dominating self in his last two fights against Yuniel Dorticos and Chris Billiam Smith. At 34, Ramirez is beginning to show signs of wear and ring wear from a long 16-year career.
His promoters have well matched Gilberto since turning pro, and he has only fought one elite-level fighter in that time, losing to Dmitry Bivol in 2022. Going up against Benavidez will be a good test to see how much Ramirez has left.
‘Zurdo’ Ramirez has adapted his fighting style in the last year, going from being a slugger to a boxer. It’s helped him defeat Dorticos, Billiam-Smith, and Arsen Goulamirian. Against Benavidez, Gilberto is going to need to do a lot more than box and move to win.
Benavidez looked powerful in his last fight, stopping Anthony Yarde in the seventh round last November. He used his volume style to out-slug Yarde to get the knockout. Benavidez was willing to take Yarde’s best shots to deliver his own. It wasn’t easy, but ‘The Mexican Monster’ wore him down to the stoppage.
Robert Segal has been a key voice at Boxing News 24 for more than a decade, delivering fight news, previews, and analysis with a direct, insider edge. His work highlights champions, contenders, and rising talent from around the world, offering readers a clear understanding of where each fighter stands in the sport’s shifting landscape. Known for his sharp ringside perspective and straightforward reporting style, Robert consistently brings fans closer to the action with knowledgeable, no-nonsense coverage.
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Categories David Benavidez, Gilberto Ramirez
Boxing News 24 » Zurdo Ramirez Fight Falls Apart, Benavidez Showdown Now Locked In
Last Updated on 12/15/2025