The already-announced Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez-David Benavidez cruiserweight title fight provides hope for a continued future between DAZN and Golden Boy Promotions.
The May 2 Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Prime Video pay-per-view event will also be distributed by DAZN’s streaming service, the over-the-top platform confirmed Tuesday. It marks the latest joint venture between platforms, once again on a show involving PBC (Benavidez) and Golden Boy (Ramirez).
Both platforms will carry the event live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. DAZN was not initially confirmed among the distribution partners during the February 21 kickoff press conference in Las Vegas.
Aside from working out the distribution kinks – DAZN choosing to carry it as part of its higher-tier Ultimate plan, how that translates on the PPV backend, etc. – it marks a significant step in bridging the gap for Golden Boy and DAZN to finalize terms for a multi-year extension.
For the moment, Golden Boy is operating on a show-by-show basis with the platform, after its latest deal expired last December 31. The two have worked in an exclusive capacity since December 2018 but have endured a tumultuous relationship ever since Golden Boy and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez parted ways in late 2020.
To date, Golden Boy has presented two DAZN shows in 2026 – its January 16 card featuring Raul Curiel, and last weekend’s show in Anaheim, California, featuring two championship fights and Arnold Barboza’s dominant showing versus Kenneth Sims Jnr at welterweight.
It was previously believed that Ramirez-Benavidez would operate solely as a Prime Video event. Worth noting, however, is that even DAZN’s promo poster still advertised the show as a “PBC PPV” and with Benavidez getting top billing despite challenging for Ramirez’s WBA/WBO 200lbs titles.
Still, the fact that DAZN is even involved at all is a testament to the two-way commitment with Golden Boy to remain in business together.
The development comes as Golden Boy is currently headed to arbitration with Vergil Ortiz Jnr, one of its highest profile boxers though the two are clearly on the outs. Ortiz and manager Rick Mirigian attempted to leverage Golden Boy’s expired deal with DAZN as grounds to terminate their existing promotional contract.
To date, a judge has yet to agree with their interpretation of the fine print. Section 10(g) of Ortiz’s contract calls for termination of said agreement if Golden Boy’s distribution relationship with DAZN terminates, providing in relevant part as follows:
· Promoter’s distribution relationship with DAZN is a material incentive for Boxer to enter into this Agreement. In the event that Promoter’s distribution relationship with DAZN terminates, for any reason, and Promoter does not have an agreement in principle in place for an exclusive distribution relationship with an alternative broadcaster, then Boxer shall have the right to terminate this Agreement.
Ortiz and his team have thus far unsuccessfully argued that Golden Boy’s absence of a platform deal equates the termination of an agreement, given the “relationship” terminology used in the contract.
Furthermore, efforts to have DAZN COO Ed McCarthy speak on the boxer’s behalf appeared to have backfired. McCarthy stated in a sworn declaration that “DAZN remains open to seeking to agree and enter into a long-term distribution agreement with GBP on commercially reasonable terms, whether or not GBP has Mr. Ortiz under contract.”
At least on that front, DAZN and Golden Boy continue to operate in good faith. The belief from both sides – per sources – is that better news is soon to come.
Meanwhile, Ramirez, 48-1 (30 KOs) will attempt his third overall cruiserweight title defense and his second as a unified titlist.
The Mexican southpaw won the WBA belt in a March 2024 unanimous decision victory over unbeaten Arsen Goulamirian. He then wrapped up the year with a competitive but clear win over Chris Billam-Smith to add the WBO title to his collection.
Both belts were at stake in Ramirez’s unanimous decision over former two-time cruiserweight titlist and WBA mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticos last June 28 in Anaheim, California. It was his only fight on the year, as he was sidelined for the entire second half of 2025 to recover from subsequent shoulder surgery.
Benavidez, 31-0 (25 KOs), will aim to become a three-division titlist.
The former two-time WBC super middleweight titleholder added the WBC light heavyweight belt to his collection last year. It came by default, as he was upgraded from interim titlist after then-fully unified champ Dmitry Bivol refused to move forward with their ordered title consolidation bout.
One defense followed: a one-sided, seventh-round knockout of Anthony Yarde last November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Benavidez revealed during the post-fight interview that – rather than wait on whoever they put in front of him – he decided to once again let his nuts hang and chase after a showdown 25lbs north with Ramirez.
With a win, Benavidez is more likely to vacate the belts and return to light heavyweight, where he fancies an undisputed showdown with Bivol, who remains the recognized lineal, RING, WBA, IBF and WBO champ.
A win by Ramirez would go a long way in further bolstering Golden Boy’s stable. He is one of five primary titleholders, along with: WBC men’s welterweight titlist Ryan Garcia; undisputed women’s flyweight queen Gabriela Fundora; lineal, RING, WBA and WBO men’ strawweight champion Oscar Collazo; and unified WBA/WBC men’s flyweight titlist Ricardo Sandoval.
