David Benavidez and Zurdo Ramirez’s fight has suffered a potential roadblock after reports emerged that both the WBO and WBA are threatening to withdraw their sanctioning for the May 2 cruiserweight clash in Las Vegas.
The conflict stems from the unveiling of a ceremonial “Cinco de Mayo” belt by a rival organization: the WBC. The friction began during a ceremony in Mexico this week where the WBC introduced the “Tollan Tlatequi” belt. Ramirez (48-1) is the reigning WBA and WBO Cruiserweight Champion, while Benavidez (31-0) is moving up to challenge for the belts.
WBO President Gustavo Olivieri and WBA President Gilberto Mendoza are reportedly furious that the WBC—which does not have a sanctioned title on the line in this specific fight—is inserting its branding into the event. Both organizations have allegedly indicated that if the WBC’s commemorative belt remains a focal point of the promotion or the ring ceremony, they will pull their championships from the bout, effectively turning a “unification” into a non-title fight.