David Benavidez rose pound-for-pound in the rankings after his sensational stoppage of Gilberto Ramirez, and the “Mexican Monster” revealed what boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez told him after the fight.

The former super middleweight champion and reigning airy heavyweight ruler was expected to make the jump to the 25-pound cruiserweight division to push Benavidez to his limits and provide him with a fresh kind of test. The Arizona-born cinematographer passed with flying colors.

Benavidez dominated “Zurdo” Ramirez in his delivery before a sixth-round stoppage ended the fight, giving him the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles.

Shortly after his victory, Benavidez spoke with Chavez, and in the recording captured by Premieres of boxing championsthe newly crowned unified champion revealed that the Mexican fighting icon told him he was now confident in his skills.

“He just said I finally convinced him. I said, ‘Oh, I barely convinced you.’ ” [before]? I thought, fuck, I gave it my all! But that’s why I’m here, people keep doubting me, saying I can’t do anything, but I rise to the occasion.

“That’s right [fight]. Tonight I came in weighing 202 pounds and I only gained two pounds! I’m just very ecstatic and very grateful. God is good.”

Before the fight, Benavidez declared that he would return to the airy heavyweight division, but a fight for the undisputed cruiserweight title in the heavyweight division is possible, and there are also rumors about a possible transfer to heavyweight.

Brad Rea put in a tremendous effort, even beating his man in the second round, but was ultimately denied a European title win over Lyndon Arthur in November.

“The Sting” had already elevated his career by winning the EBU title with a unanimous decision over Shakan Pitters thanks to an assertive performance last June.

However, in his delicate heavyweight clash with Arthur Rea, he was ultimately forced to concede a majority decision defeat despite putting in one of his career-best performances.

The 28-year-old has since come to terms with his second professional blemish, but as Boxing News tells us, it wasn’t an uncomplicated process.

“It’s always disappointing when a fight doesn’t go your way. For me, the most essential thing is to win.

“Every boxer knows the things that go through your mind after a loss. Looking back, I ask myself, ‘What was I thinking?’ But you doubt yourself, you doubt if you’re playing the right game, and you doubt if you’re good enough to get to the level you want to get to.

“I took a risk against Lyndon and it didn’t quite work out, but I showed I can mix at this level.

“I would love to go back there and give it another go. The way the first fight went, I think the fans would love to see it again – I think Manchester would love to see it again – but there are so many obstacles in our way; we both have work to do before we can even think about it [a rematch]”

A rematch may be considered in the future, but until then both Rea and Arthur must remain intensely focused on their matches against Liam Cameron and Lewis Edmondson.

Seeing this as an opportunity to showcase his full capabilities, Rea is more than elated with his opponent on May 9.

The fact that he became a father after a narrow defeat against Arthur gives him additional motivation to get back to winning ways and create more opportunities for himself.

“I think Liam is one of the best delicate heavyweights in the country, but for me it’s the perfect fight to show what I can do.

“I know it won’t be an uncomplicated night’s work, but these are the fights I want to be in. I want to be in fun fights.”

In a separate interview with Boxing News, Cameron effectively accused Rhea of ​​being too brave for his own good and often neglecting his defense by dealing in his pockets.

In response, the Lancashire native admitted he sometimes feels guilty for getting carried away and wondered if Cameron could play two roles at once when they collide at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. appearing on the match card Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois.

“He’s probably right – maybe it would support if he sat in the corner and told me to move my head!

“Sometimes I can get a little excited and get carried away [into a war]but that’s what fans want to see at the end of the day.”

Even after becoming European champion, Rea has no interest in skipping the domestic 175-pound scene.

And that’s a good thing, because Queensberry Promotions has a huge selection of potential opponents.

Engine erosion

Billam-Smith’s version, which surpassed Lawrence Okolie, relied on an unrelenting engine and an iron chin. However, the punishment he suffered in his loss to Gilberto Ramirez in tardy 2024 and even in his arduous decision over Brandon Glanton in April 2025 was showing signs of wear and tear.

A year out of the ring since the fight with Glanton did not allow him to age in reverse. Inactivity for a 35-year-old slugger is rarely a reset; this is usually the beginning of the end. Before he enters the Bournemouth International Center on June 6, he will have to prove that he has not missed his best days in the gym during this long break.

Różicki’s trap

Ryan Rozicki is the definition of perilous tuning. With a 95% knockout rate, Rozicki doesn’t need to lose to Billam-Smith; All he needs to do is land once and the veteran will find his rhythm.

After the bulky shots Billam-Smith took to Ramirez, can his chin still withstand a neat punch like Rozicki’s?

A year of ring rust combined with deteriorating reflexes is a recipe for disaster against a warrior who thrives on chaos.

Opetai mismatch

Billam-Smith’s obsession with Jai Opetai ignores the technical gulf between them. Opetaia is the crown jewel of the Zuffa team for a reason. He’s younger, faster and has the southpaw move that completely neutralized Billam-Smith against Ramirez.

“If they didn’t have Jai, it wouldn’t have been such a massive move for me,” Billam-Smith said Sky Sports Boxing.

This suggests that the player is prioritizing a final, massive payday over a lasting recovery. If Zuffa Boxing wants to build a long-term brand in the UK, feeding their main UK asset a styling nightmare like Opetaia is a quick way to snuff out their momentum.

Billam-Smith is hoping the “electric” atmosphere at Bournemouth will mask his physical decline. But the audience cannot escape his control and cannot turn back time. If Billam-Smith fights Rozicki, the Opetaia fight will be dead. No one is going to pay to see an aging veteran get picked apart by the division’s top powerhouse after failing to cope at the national level.