They are both aware of the stories of legendary Mexican warriors of the past who fought during their fateful weekend date. Now they look to build their legacy and give fans a fight for the ages.
Benavidez spoke about the importance of fighting on Cinco De Mayo weekend: “Throughout the history of Cinco De Mayo fighting, there have been great fighters like Oscar [De La Hoya]Julio Cesar Chavez, fighting great fights.
Not only were they great fights, but they were also wars because they were pair fights. They did not take up uncomplicated fights. “That’s what it symbolically symbolizes: May 5 symbolizes two fighters, and now it’s more special because two Mexican fighters are fighting for the title.”
Many believe that the winner of this match will become the face of Mexican boxing and ultimately take over the throne from Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
These fighters have a common history, they have sparred with each other many times. Nothing is more memorable than the moment Benavidez helped Ramirez prepare for his first career championship against Arthur Abraham.
Those who witnessed these sparring sessions say they were pay-per-view worthy rounds. They already knew that they would eventually meet in the ring, but they didn’t expect it would be a cruiserweight fight. At this weight, both fighters feel more comfortable because they don’t have to cut as much weight.
When asked who would have a power advantage at this weight, Zurdo replied: “I believe it’s the same thing. It’s not an advantage or disadvantage; he just feels more comfortable with his body [at this weight]. I believe that’s why he feels ready to move up in the division.
These sparring sessions were held at the open weight, which is very similar to the cruiserweight they will compete at on fight night.
This will be Gilberto’s fifth cruiserweight fight, in which he is undefeated. His only defeat was a fight against Dmitry Bivol in the lightweight heavyweight division. Fighting, Zurdo says, helped him grow and develop as a fighter.
David also knows Bivol, having had many sparring sessions with him where he felt like he had beaten him. He would like to fight him in the ring for the titles, but he didn’t want to wait until Bivol was ready. Instead, he chose to advance and pursue greatness.
“There was nothing else for me at the moment at 175 pounds. I could have sat and waited on the sidelines until Bivol was ready for another fight, but like I said, I had no interest in that. I’ve been a pro for 13 years… I wanted to fight the biggest fights possible. I was turned down a few times. This was the next most critical fight on this map for me, Zurdo took it that way,” Benavidez said of his move up to the weight class.
Of all the Mexican fights in the past, this will be the first Cinco De Mayo cruiserweight fight and should be a great one between two Mexican fighters.