David Benavidez took over the Cinco De Mayo date from Canelo Alvarez in 2026 in boxing with something rather brilliant this year.
He stepped up in weight all the way to cruiserweight to become a three-weight world champion by defeating previous world champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez by brutal knockout in round six in Las Vegas.
But he went much further than that. Oh yes. For years, Canelo Alvarez owned that date in Vegas and this year he didn’t even box on it.
Instead, he was in the crowd during the Benavidez vs Ramirez card but left before the main event. Here’s how the date now belongs to Benavidez:
- Fought May 2, 2026: Benavidez headlined Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas.
- Beat Zurdo by TKO: Knocked out Gilberto Ramirez in round 6 at T-Mobile Arena.
- Became 3-division champ: First to win titles at 168, 175, and 200 lbs.
- Record now 32-0: Has 26 knockouts after the Ramirez win.
- Mexican heritage: Dubbed “The Mexican Monster” and new Mexican star of Cinco de Mayo.
- Canelo was ringside then left: Attended for Munguia but left before Benavidez’s KO.
- Called out Canelo after win: “I see Canelo in the building… Let’s do it”.
- Canelo vacated the date: Had elbow surgery, couldn’t fight May 2026.
- Media called it a takeover: Headlines said Cinco de Mayo weekend now belongs to Benavidez.
- Fans see him as avoided champ: Reports noted Canelo “has shown precious little interest” in fighting him.
What’s more, Benavidez is going all guns blazing to go after even fights now with Dmitry Bivol and Jai Opetaia at light-heavyweight and cruiserweight.
Whereas Canelo is taking an easier opponent for his September comeback after his loss to Terence Crawford last year via UD on points.
Canelo Alvarez is fighting Christian Mbilli (seen as an easy opponent for him) next and in the eyes of Mexicans and Mexican fans, for all these reasons, and for American fans, the Cinco De Mayo weekend fight date every year now belongs to David Benavidez for now.
Furthermore, Benavidez and Usyk are even being talked about in a heavyweight fight.
What a fight that would be at heavyweight next year possibly on Cinco De Mayo 2027.
Let that sink in.
