Terence Crawford was as impressed as any following David Benavidez\u2019s historic win over Gilberto Ramirez.<\/p>\n
Benavidez blasted through Ramirez in Las Vegas to become a three-weight world champion. Despite putting on over 20lbs since his last outing, the 29-year-old superstar managed to keep his blistering hand speed and looked as powerful as ever.<\/p>\n
It was too much for \u2018Zurdo\u2019, who touched the canvas in the fourth and sixth rounds before being counted out,<\/a> in part due to a severely swollen eye. It is his first stoppage defeat in a 50 fight career, and the most impressive win of Benavidez\u2019s, who claimed the WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles in the process.<\/p>\n Amongst those impressed was former pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford, who took to social media shortly after the win to praise \u2018El Monstro\u2019.<\/p>\n Congratulations @Benavidez300<\/a> good shit out there.<\/p>\n \u2014 Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) May 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The Ramirez victory will shoot Benavidez up the pound-for-pound list in the eyes of many, pushing him closer to the top spot that Crawford so recently held.<\/p>\n The 38-year-old from Omaha retired late last year following a victory over Saul \u2018Canelo\u2019 Alvarez, the man Benavidez has been eager to fight for years now and whom he called out post-fight.<\/a><\/p>\n Canelo was ringside earlier in the night to support Jaime Munguia, but notably left before the main event. Fans \u2013 and Benavidez \u2013 will take it as a signal that the fight, despite renewed interest, is as unlikely to happen as ever.<\/p>\n Instead, the new unified champion at cruiserweight is expected to drop back down to light-heavyweight, where he still holds the WBC title, to pursue an undisputed clash with Dmitry Bivol \u2013 another man who has beaten Canelo.<\/p>\n