By Mark Eisner: David Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) made easy work of former IBF 160-lb champion David Lemieux (43-5, 36 KOs) in stopping him in the third round on Saturday night to capture the interim WBC super-middleweight title at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
The much taller 6’2″ Benavidez hurt Lemieux in the third round, prompting the Canadian fighter’s corner to have the contest halted.
The 33-year-old Lemieux had already been hurt in the first, and dropped in the second round by that point in the fight. It was as clear as day that Lemieux didn’t belong inside the same ring with Benavidez and was target practice.
One got the sense that Benavidez allowed Lemieux to stay in the fight past the first round because it was obvious that he could have knocked him out in the first minute of the fight if he’d wanted to.
Lemieux showed heart in getting up from being knocked down in the second, swinging for the fences in hopes of stopping Benavidez with a single punch.
Undercard results:
- Featherweight Luis Nunez (17-0, 12 KOs) defeated previously unbeaten Jonathan Fierro (13-1, 12 KOs) by a 10-round unanimous decision in a competitive contest. The judges’ scores were 96-94, 96-94, and 96-94.
- Former WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz (33-7-3, 25 KOs) won his first fight in five years since 2017 by defeating journeyman Todd Manuel (20-20-1, 6 KOs) by a 10th round unanimous decision. The 35-year-old ‘Vicious’ Victor was dropped in the tenth round in the final seconds but made it through the round without getting finished off. In fairness to Ortiz, he was well ahead at the time, and he looked like he got a little careless while attempting to impress the fans in the waning seconds. The scores were 98-91, 98-91, and 97-92.
- Light welterweight Richardson Hitchins (14-0, 6 KOs) displayed some rare power in stopping journeyman Angel Rodriguez (12-11-3, 5 KOs) by a fourth-round knockout.
Preview
David Benavidez wants the titles and if he can defeat undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo, he’ll have four.
“Whatever happens after this fight happens, but my only focus is on this fight against David Lemieux,” said David Benavidez to Fight Hub TV. “If I get Charlo, Caleb Plant, or Canelo next, then great, but I still got to win this fight.
“So I’m just looking forward to this fight, and my focus and attention is 100% on David Lemieux,” Benavidez continued. “Definitely the Canelo fight because that would do a lot for my career, but the main focus is to get the titles [at 168] back. That’s the main focus.
“Whoever has the titles, that’s the main guy to beat. I don’t care what that guy says,” Benavidez said about Jermall Charlo. “Let’s make it happen. We’re talking too much. I feel like he’s going to bust a brain cell in his head every time he gets asked about me.
“For me, I don’t care. I definitely want to fight him, but didn’t he slap somebody for asking about me at the press conference?
“Those people have got issues, but if they want to fight inside the ring or outside the ring, we’ll do it. I really don’t care.
“Hopefully, if that’s what they’re saying and they’re going to keep their word and get it done, and we can get it done, but I haven’t heard nothing,” said Benavidez when told that Jermall says he wants to fight him next after he defends against Maciej Sulecki in June.
“I think it happens because I feel I embarrassed him in front of a lot of people. Those people can’t be embarrassed like that. A lot of people are asking him about the fight and putting pressure on him. The walls are closing in on him, so hopefully, we can make this fight happen.
“I give respect where respect is due. Charlo is a great fighter, and I have to put a great game plan together for him. I feel like have more advantages. I’m faster and stronger, and I’m a natural 168-pounder.
“The only thing is he’s a little bit older and has more experience. I’m extremely motivated for this fight,” said Benavidez.
David Benavidez will be looking to win the vacant interim WBC super-middleweight title against former IBF 160lb champion David Lemieux in the main event on Showtime at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The card kicks off at 10:00 p.m. ET on Showtime.
The two-time former WBC 168lb champion Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) wants to pick up the interim title to use it to get a title shot against champion Canelo Alvarez.