David Benavidez: The $3K Zurdo Sparring Story, Cinco de Mayo Takeover & Stoppage Promise

David Benavidez sits down with Andre Ward and Roy Jones Jr. on HALL OF GAME just days out from his cruiserweight showdown with Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez at T-Mobile Arena on May 2nd. El Monstro opens up on the move to 200 pounds, walking around at 210, and what it means to finally own a Cinco de Mayo weekend after 13 pro years and 27 years in the sport. “Greatness is not given. It’s taken.”

Benavidez tells the story of sparring Zurdo at 17 years old for six weeks helping him prep for Arthur Abraham. Now they’re headlining a pay-per-view. He breaks down the speed advantage, why the punches that hurt are the ones you don’t see, and his promise to get the stoppage. Plus the rare father–son dynamic with Jose Sr., raising his own son Anthony in camp, and the threshold he says he’s about to cross.

In the back half, Andre and Roy go non-boxing on the Steve Kerr era apparently ending in Golden State — what made Kerr’s run remarkable, why he transcended his own game to fit Steph, and whether stepping away makes sense at 60. They close with a health update on Shadasia Green after she suffered a brain bleed against Lani Daniels.

Follow Andre Ward – https://www.instagram.com/andresogward/
Follow Roy Jones Jr. – https://www.instagram.com/royjonesjrofficial/

0:00 – Intro
0:49 – David Benavidez joins the show
1:53 – Moving up to cruiserweight & walking around at 210 lbs
3:06 – What Benavidez knows about Zurdo from sparring
4:33 – Speed advantage & why unseen punches do the damage
6:54 – Owning Cinco de Mayo weekend after 13 pro years
7:44 – Sparring Zurdo at 17 years old for the Arthur Abraham fight
9:02 – Benavidez’s promise: “I will get the stoppage”
10:28 – Raising son Anthony in training camp
12:29 – How fight week nerves feel & enjoying the ride
14:16 – The father-son dynamic with trainer Jose Sr.
16:39 – What fans can expect May 2nd
18:27 – Ad Break
19:51 – Is the Steve Kerr era over in Golden State?
22:46 – Roy Jones Jr. on Kerr transcending his game to fit Steph
24:10 – Why stepping away at 60 makes sense
26:44 – Health update on Shadasia Green after brain bleed vs. Lani Daniels
30:49 – Show close

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