Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez finally has a clear path for his return. The WBO has officially scrapped the interim cruiserweight title fight that threatened to complicate his next move, dissolving the injury-driven placeholder that stood in his way. By killing the interim bout, the sanctioning body has restored full control over the division’s challenger order just in time for Ramirez’s May 2 clash with David Benavidez.
Fress and Kahrovic were originally ordered to fight after Ramirez was unable to defend his title in 2025. The interim bout was designed to produce a challenger who would step forward once the champion resumed activity. That path no longer exists.
Ramirez is scheduled to defend his title against David Benavidez on May 2, and the WBO confirmed that his return removes the justification for maintaining an interim championship. An injury to one of the interim contenders further eliminated the remaining basis for the fight to proceed, leading the sanctioning body to terminate the bout entirely.
The cancellation prevents a mandatory challenger from being installed through the interim route. Instead, the WBO Championship Committee now determines the next challenger through its rankings and eliminator process, giving the sanctioning body full authority over how the contender line is rebuilt following Ramirez’s return.
That distinction places greater importance on the Ramirez vs Benavidez fight itself. With the interim fight cancelled, the Ramirez vs Benavidez winner will now determine who emerges as the next WBO challenger rather than inheriting an opponent already positioned through an interim title.
Ramirez returns as the lone WBO cruiserweight champion, and the interim structure created during his absence has been removed before it could produce a permanent challenger. The next opponent will now come through the WBO’s rankings rather than an interim title, placing the order of the division back in line with the champion’s activity in the ring.
Gilberto’s title was never stripped, but for a time, the division was preparing to move without him. That possibility is now gone. His return has erased the interim path and placed the future of the WBO cruiserweight title back in his hands.
Ken Woods has been a senior writer at Boxing News 24 since 2013, covering the sport from every angle. With years of ringside reporting, he delivers fight news, results, and analysis that cut through the noise. Ken’s work consistently spotlights champions, contenders, and rising prospects, giving fans a sharp, knowledgeable view of the global boxing scene.
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Categories David Benavidez, Gilberto Ramirez
Boxing News 24 » WBO Cancels Interim Title Fight as Ramirez Returns to Cruiserweight Control
Last Updated on 02/13/2026