Benavidez KOs Ramirez in 6th to become 3-division champion

LAS VEGAS (AP) — David Benavidez became the first boxer to win championships at 168, 175 and 200 pounds, pounding his former sparring partner Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and knocking him out at 2:59 of the sixth round to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles on Saturday night.

Benavidez (32-0, 26 knockouts) not only remained undefeated, but showed why he was a -600 favorite in twice sending Ramirez (48-2, 30 KOs) to the canvas.

In the co-main event, WBA super middleweight championship fight, Jaime Munguía (46-2, 35 KOs) upset title holder Armando Reséndiz (16-3, 11 KOs) by winning a resounding unanimous decision. Reséndiz was a -200 favorite, but Munguía — the former WBO junior middleweight champ — was the aggressor from the start and won by scores of 117-111, 119-109 and 120-108.

“It feels great to have this championship belt with me, but this is just the beginning,” Munguía said. “I’m excited for what comes next. We are ready for big challenges and great fights.”

Benavidez fought with Canelo Alvarez sitting ring side. He had chased Canelo with hopes of setting up a showdown, but Alvarez never agreed to it, and it might never happen.

“I see Canelo in the building,” Benavidez said to cheers, again arguing they should meet.

Boxing fans, or least those who support Benavidez, haven’t forgotten how Canelo has yet to take on the match. Alvarez, wearing a black Munguía T-shirt, was booed all three times he was shown on the large video board. Benavidez, who was born in Phoenix and lives in Miami, later was cheered while shown going through prefight preparations.

He then gave his fans plenty more to cheer about.

Benavidez, even when being backed down by Ramirez, delivered his signature rapid-fire combinations, usually pelting his opponent’s head. A right hand to Ramirez’s head in the fourth staggered him, and Benavidez went for the knockout but settled for the knockdown at the end of the round when Zurdo went down to his left knee.

Then two rounds later, Ramirez again went to a knee. This time, the fight was over.

And now the 29-year-old Benavidez can make a credible argument after dominating the 34-year-old Mexican that he one of the sport’s best pound-for-pound boxers if not right at the top.

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AP boxing: https://apnews.com/boxing