David Benavidez cruises by Oleksandr Gvozdyk and still has Canelo – ESPN

Mike Coppinger has covered boxing since 2010 with roles at USA Today, Ring Magazine and The Athletic before he joined ESPN in 2021. You can follow him on Twitter: @MikeCoppinger

Brett Okamoto
Mike Coppinger, ESPN Boxing InsiderJun 14, 2024, 05:19 PM

David Benavidez sat on the Ring apron, while wrapping his hands before going to an exercise session in February’s late afternoon at Miami’s Downtown BOXR Gym. The thought of fighting against Canelo Alvarez who that he’s been pursuing for years had slipped away from Benavidez and he was slipping away from him once again.

He didn’t want to be a sulk. As confident as that he’d exhausted every possibility to get the fight of the century with the top boxer in the world, Benavidez did what he always does – He went back to work.

The 27-year-old shadowboxed, landed on the pads, and practiced but no fights were scheduled at the time.

Alvarez continued to face Jaime Munguia on Cinco de Mayo weekend instead of the super middleweight summit that the public demanded from Benavidez.

With his hopes of getting an Alvarez fight now a distant memory, Benavidez made the prudent decision. Instead of waiting around in the hope of Alvarez and the hefty payoff he can bring — the way that most boxers take today — Benavidez went on to climb to a weight category. Benavidez will make his debut as a light heavyweight in the fight against Oleksandr Gvozdyk on Saturday’s co-feature match with Gervonta Davis-Frank Martin at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena (8 p.m. ET, Prime Video PPV).

“I did everything in my power possible to make the fight happen with Canelo,” Benavidez stated to ESPN this Wednesday. “… The truth is that I’m waiting for any other fighter to build my reputation and will work hard to be the best at any category I’m competing in. … It’s nearing 175 poundsand I’m hoping to become the best.”

There was an unmistakable displeasure within the boxing community when Alvarez decided to face Munguia back in the month of May instead of Benavidez as a deserving title contender who seemed to be more dangerous. That’s the time when Benavidez was forced to make the move to lightweight heavyweight. What did he have to do at just 168 pounds other than fighting Alvarez which is always out of reach?

“You lined my pockets, you made Munguia a s—load of money, all because you’re afraid of David Benavidez,” Golden Boy promoter and Hall of Fame boxer Oscar De La Hoya wrote Monday via the social networks in a tweet to Alvarez.

So far, Benavidez (28-0, 24 knockouts) has virtually swept away of the division weighing 168 pounds. The 2023 fight of his career was a massive defeats of the former champions Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade The two best fights of Benavidez’s career.

Sure, the two career-best performances, together with his rising popularity could lead Benavidez to be among the most exciting matchups possible in boxing, as many believed. Only Alvarez showed no interest. Being the most popular sport’s attraction, it’s not a surprise that Alvarez decides the plays.

“I think he’s scared of him losing and then me taking all the shine,” Benavidez told reporters. “… It’s not like I believe he’s afraid of me. I believe that he doesn’t want me be the one to pass the torch. … It’s my opinion that think he doesn’t want me, and he does not need … yet another Mexican to be the shining star.”

Benavidez was unable to stop Plant however Benavidez did batter and beat him up in the second quarter of their March 2023 fight. Andrade also was slashed with a brutal hammer and was slashed to the floor in Round 4 and then resigned from his stool following round 6 in the November bout. Andrade is a two-division champion and undefeated throughout 32 bouts.

Benavidez announced Wednesday afternoon that there were only 3 pounds to shed before the weigh-in on Friday. At 6’2 1/2 inches the weight loss of 168 pounds was putting strain on his body after more than 10 years of this weight.

“I feel like I’m going to retain more strength, more power and more endurance as well,” the actor stated.

This is a terrifying prospect for Benavidez’s upcoming heavyweight light heavyweight opponents, beginning by taking on Ukraine’s Gvozdyk (20-1 16 knockouts). The nickname was “The Mexican Monster” by Mike Tyson, Benavidez earned the nickname due to his aggressive style of fighting that can result in crushing knockouts.

Gvozdyk is an impressive boxer. He was an Olympian from 2012. Olympic bronze medalist, who won the light heavyweight lineal title in the 11th round defeat of Adonis Stephenson in the year 2018.

“I just feel like [Alvarez] doesn’t want to fight me because he knows that I’m definitely going to beat him. … He’s obviously still beating everybody convincingly, but it’s just going to be a different story when he gets in the ring with me.” David Benavidez

After a successful defense, Gvozdyk was defeated in Round 10 with Artur Beterbiev. He was in the hospital for several days following the fight and then quit. Gvozdyk came back in the month of February to complete the 40-month absence. He won three times against opponents of a lower level and is entering Saturday’s match as an underdog of +450 according to ESPN BET.

“I take every opponent serious because if I’m getting prepared for a fight with them, they know that they have to be at their 100% preparing for me,” Benavidez declared. “I’m getting ready for the best Oleksandr Gvozdyk possible. I’ve watched all his films. I know his strengths. I know his weaknesses. We put together a good game plan, so now it’s just time to execute that game plan on Saturday.”

In addition to the film studies, Benavidez estimated he had sparred with Gvozdyk at least three times, which translates to up to 12 rounds at times. “I feel like I dominated every single sparring session with him, and that’s when I was younger,” Benavidez claimed. “I didn’t have as much experience as I have now. And now I’m basically coming into my prime, my man strength, and I have a lot of experience with these big fights.”

If Benavidez will be able to beat Gvozdyk like he is expected to Benavidez will have better options for 175 pounds. Turki Alalshikh, head of the Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, told ESPN that he would like to see Benavidez against the winner from the October. 12 championship, which is undisputed, for light heavyweights. fight in which Beterbiev as well as Dmitry Bivol.

It’s a fight Benavidez is keen on also, and it’s positioned as one of the most intriguing matches. Benavidez believes that Bivol has the advantage Bivol against Beterbiev “because he’s a little more fresher.” Beterbiev was 39 when he turned 39 and retracted from the date on June 1 following the knee surgery he had undergone. “But it’s a 50-50 fight, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Beterbiev wins.”

Benavidez stated that he wouldn’t be surprised if he gets the chance to fight Alvarez in his ultimate fight. Alvarez has twice fought at 175 pounds. His last lightweight fight was an unbeaten defeat to Bivol in the month of May 2022 — and is currently reigning as the champion undisputed at 168 pounds.

While he’s currently an light heavyweight Benavidez declared he’d be able to return to super middleweight in the Alvarez fight.

“As long as we get him in the ring, that’s the only thing I want to happen,” Benavidez stated. “Just make the fight happen. … It’s just too big of a fight to leave on the table. It definitely will happen. It’s just that I don’t know when it will happen.”

With Beterbiev and Bivol engaged with one another this autumn, Benavidez will need a dance partner during the second portion of this year. The obvious option for him is David Morrell, the undefeated Cuban who has sought the chance to fight Benavidez and is also boxing with the PBC banner. Morrell (10-0 9 KOs) ranks one spot ahead of Benavidez on ESPN’s rankings for 168 pounds however, he will be following the potential challenger to 175 pounds for the Aug. 3 bout against. Radivoje Kalajdzic.

“That’s the only other fight I have my eye on,” Benavidez declared of Morrell. “… I believe David Morrell is a strong fighter, nothing to take away from Morrell, but I’d definitely beat him and that will definitely prepare me in the event from Beterbiev as well as Bivol.”

A bout with one of Bivol as well as Beterbiev in the battle for the undisputed lightweight title isn’t a huge reward for Benavidez. If he wins against Morrell and takes home all four titles at 175 pounds, he’ll likely be included on ESPN’s pound-for pound list. (Bivol is No. 5, Beterbiev No. 6.)

If that’s the case, Benavidez isn’t going to be swayed by Alvarez and the pressure may become too great for Canelo not to acknowledge. However, if the all-time great boxer doesn’t get his chance to take on Benavidez at the end of 2025, it’s possible that he will never be able to fight Benavidez. “[Benavidez] brings nothing to the table for me,” Alvarez declared in March. “He just brings 25 extra pounds on the night of the fight. That’s it. … If a promoter who I work with offers $150 to $200 million, then I’ll fight tomorrow. That’s the only reason I’ll fight with him.”

If no one is able to satisfy Alvarez’s huge demand, Benavidez can rest easy. He did not waste time watching the field, choosing simple opponents in the hope that the elusive call, while also preserving his undefeated record.

“I just feel like [Alvarez] doesn’t want to fight me because he knows that I’m definitely going to beat him,” he stated. “… He’s evidently beating everyone with aplomb but it’s likely to become a completely different story once he’s in the boxing ring with me. Once we have that fight I will definitely demonstrate to the world that I’m the best fighter in the world.”