Cain Sandoval compared to David Benavidez at Wild Card

Junior welterweight Cain Sandoval and his action-first style have drawn comparison to surging light heavyweight David Benavidez. Sandoval, like Benavidez, is Mexican-American – and credits his heritage for the way he fights.

Sandoval will fight for the first time in 2025 against Mark Bernaldez on February 21 at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California. The bout will be the main event of a 360 Promotions event, broadcast on UFC Fight Pass. 

Sandoval, 22, has relocated to Los Angeles, straying from his Northern California home to train with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. Upon his arrival, he earned a flattering comparison. “People compare me to Benavidez here at Wildcard Boxing,” Sandoval told BoxingScene. “I feel like we’re both Mexican-American, and we both have that Mexican style that come-forward, keep punching, keep throwing style.”

Benavidez recently won a 12-round unanimous decision over David Morrell to become the mandatory challenger for an undisputed title fight between Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol, who will meet the day after Sandoval’s next fight in Saudi Arabia. Benavidez is a blend of talent, skill, and will, and is beginning to appear on more pound-for-pound lists. 

“I think that’s that Mexican-American in us,” Sandoval 14-0 (12 KOs) said about their styles. “It’s like we got to prove even more. We have to prove more to the American fans and more to the Mexican fans.”

Sandoval from Sacramento, California, also noted that he isn’t a one-dimensional fighter. He suggested that to some point in the future we might see different elements to his boxing style begin to emerge further.

“I adapt to who I am fighting because I can actually box,” Sandoval said. “I feel like styles make fights and soon enough, you are going to see me box. I might even look like Floyd Mayweather and use the ring.”

Bernaldez, a 30-year-old Filipino fighter, enters on a two-fight win streak and has a record of 25-6 (18 KOs). He is a tough veteran who has only lost title contenders. 

Since signing with 360 Promotions, Tom Loeffler, the head honcho of the promotion, has been a big supporter of Sandoval. Loeffler has a proven track record of developing organic stars and top contenders. Whether it was the Klitschko brothers at heavyweight, Gennadiy Golovkin at middleweight, Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, Cecelia Braekhus or even now with Serhii Bohachuk, Loeffler has proven an ability to build and develop fighters who make it to the top of the sport. 

“I’m extremely grateful that Tom really believes in me because he has worked with fighters like Triple-G and [the] Klitschkos,” Sandoval said. “I feel like it’s just a matter of time before I’m on a big stage with them.”