David Benavidez wins 175 lb debut against Oleksandr Gvozdyk: Highlights

David Benavidez got past Oleksandr Gvozdyk in his light heavyweight debut.

David Benavidez had a solid but not spectacular move to the light heavyweight division, beating Oleksandr Gvozdyk by unanimous decision over 12 rounds.

Judges scored the fight 116-112, 117-111, and 119-109 for Benavidez.

Benavidez (29-0, 24 KO) started the fight looking in firm control against the 37-year-old Gvozdyk (20-2, 16 KO), but did seem to fade a bit as the rounds wore on, something uncharacteristic for him in other recent bouts.

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Benavidez sounded happy with the victory, as you’d expect, but didn’t give himself a totally glowing review or anything.

“I think it’s a seven out of 10, honestly,” Benavidez said, grading his own performance. “Oleksandr’s a great fighter, but I felt like I had a great fight. Tough fighter, and we’re ready to move on. These guys hit a little harder up here, I had to get a feel for it.”

Benavidez said he’s also still considering a move back to 168 lbs if he can get “the title fight,” by which he means Canelo or some vacant title, but that he intends to fight in both divisions, whatever that could mean.

Alberto Puello pulled a split decision upset over Gary Antuanne Russell, taking the interim WBC super lightweight title in the process. Puello (23-0, 10 KO) won two cards on scores of 114-113 and 115-112, while the third was wide to Russell (17-1, 17 KO) on a tally of 118-109. Bad Left Hook unofficially scored the fight 114-113 for Puello, who was docked a point for fouling in the ninth round.

In the pay-per-view opener, Carlos Adames retained his WBC middleweight title by unanimous decision over Terrell Gausha. Scores were 118-110 twice and 119-109 for Adames, which may have been a bit unfair to Gausha (24-4-1, 12 KO), but the right man did win the fight. Adames is now 24-1 (18 KO).

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