David Benavidez posted a video of him working out on the mitts on Instagram, showing his preparation for the December 14th defense of his WBC interim light heavyweight title.
Benavidez’s Instagram Post Reveals Lack of Power
The former WBC super middleweight champion Benavidez’s speed looks good speed-wise, but the power isn’t there. He looks like Superman after he was stripped of his power in a Kryptonian chamber.
Benavidez must shine in his next fight on December 14th at 175 because fans feel he’s not the same guy, and his days as a top-level fighter are numbered. Once he’s thrown in with the killers, Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev, David Morrell, and Anthony Yarde, the jig may be up for Benavidez.
Fighting at his natural weight of 175, Benavidez doesn’t look nearly as good as he was campaigning at 168, fighting older, smaller opposition. We saw Benavidez’s lack of power in his debut at 175 against Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15th.
Doubts About Benavidez’s Future at 175
Gvozdyk, 37, was the stronger guy by far and was landing the cleaner, harder shots throughout the 12-round contest. Benavidez won by a decision, but it was a competitive fight. It raised red flags for Benavidez’s future at 175. He just doesn’t hit hard enough, and he only has enough gas to fight hard for six rounds.
David Benavidez on IG: “EL MONSTRO🇲🇽👹 returns to the ring soon. Loading…..Fight Announcement 🤫”
Dates for December…..#Boxing pic.twitter.com/9o94NWHjtH
— El Gallo Guapo🇩🇴☘️ 🦍 (@vinquezada1) August 24, 2024
The opponent for Benavidez’s December fight hasn’t been named, but 35-year-old fringe contender Jesse Hart is the rumored one. Fighting Hart will keep Benavidez in a position to challenge for a world title.
The Weight Bully Label
This is another gimme in a long line of sure-thing wins during Benavidez’s 11-year career. It appears that it’s been smoke and mirrors with Benavidez regarding his wins of fluff opposition and the fact that he’s been fighting outside of his natural weight class of 175. Fans feel that Benavidez has been a classic example of a weight bully since day one in 2013, and it’s hard to argue with that label.
Fans only want David Morrell or Anthony Yarde for Benavidez rather than another older fighter. Still, he’s expected to take a soft touch in a showcase fight to avoid losing out on his guaranteed title shot against the winner of the October 12th fight between champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Although not in the same league ability-wise as those two champions, Benavidez will make a lot of money fighting the winner in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Benavidez’s Best Career Wins
Caleb Plant
Demetrius Andrade
David Lemieux
Ronald Gavril
Anthony Dirrell
Ronald Ellis
Kyrone Davis
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