David Benavidez sounds like a person drunk on his success, potentially overlooking the threat that Demetrius Andrade poses for him in six days from now, on November 25th, when they meet at their headliner at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.
Those recent wins for Benavidez over Caleb Plant and David Lemieux might have done something to his head, warping his brain, making him think he can turn water into wine and can never taste defeat.
To listen to Benavidez brag about himself, he sounds slightly like an egomaniac. Andrade could bring Benavidez down to earth, and it might be good for him to help him get his head right.
WBC interim super middleweight champion Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) says he preferred to fight undisputed 168-lb champion Canelo Alvarez, but the Mexican star didn’t want to fight him.
So instead, the 26-year-old Benavidez has to settle for facing one of the most avoided fighters in the last decade, former two-division world champion Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs), in the main event on Showtime PPV.
It would be catastrophic for Benavidez if he were to lose to Andrade because that end his dreams of fighting Canelo because he’s barely making 168 as it is, and it would take too many years to come back from the loss.
By the time Benavidez rebuilds, he might be in his 30s, fighting at cruiserweight, and Canelo still wouldn’t give him the time of day because he’d be too huge by then. Who could blame him? Benavidez doesn’t resemble a super middleweight right now, and you can only imagine how he’ll be in a few years, resembling a modern-day goliath.
As good as the Benavidez-Andrade fight is, it might be overshadowed by some undercard contests that could steal the show.
Notable undercard fights:
- Jermall Charlo vs. Jose Benavidez Jr
- Subriel Matias vs. Shohjahon Ergashev
- Hector Luis Garcia vs. Lamont Roach
- Sergey Lipinets vs. Michel Rivera
Benavidez guarantees knockout of Andrade
“We’re ready to go on November 25th,” said David Benavidez to Stephen A. Smith’s YouTube channel. “The fight that we’ve been trying to get is against Canelo Alvarez, a fight that I’ve rightfully earned.
David Benavidez: “I’m the #1 contender for the WBC belt. He didn’t want to give me the fight. So, now we look for the next best thing, Demetrius Andrade.
“He’s a fighter that has been ducked by a lot of fighters and a fighter that is really good. He’s the best in the division, and now it’s time to take him out.”
Interestingly, Benavidez says Andrade is the “best in the division” because he puts him above Canelo, David Morrell, and Caleb Plant. Whether Andrade beats any of those guys or even 22-year-old Diego Pacheco is questionable.
Some people believe Benavidez ducked Morrell, as he was called out by the Cuban fighter, and he’s clearly a better fighter than Plant and Andrade.
It’s possible that Benavidez sees the threat Morrell poses to him, so he doesn’t want to take any chances and forever miss out on a fight with Canelo.
Stephen A. Smith: “He can fight; there’s no mistake about it. He’s 32-0, and he’s undefeated as well, with 19 knockouts. He doesn’t have your knockout power, but he’s very, very skilled.
“When you’re going against him, talk to me about what you’re game plan is that would be different than what you did against Caleb Plant or anybody else. What kind of problems does Andrade pose for somebody like yourself?”
Benavidez: “It’s the same game plan as Caleb Plant. It’s another boxer, another slick fighter that moves around. So, I got to cut the distance and go in there and make it really uncomfortable for him inside.
“I know it’s not going to be easy because he’s very talented, very technical, and moves around a lot. These are the type of fights that I want. I don’t want any easy fights. I want to make it hard for myself, but I will guarantee you guys that I am going to get the knockout victory.”
Proving to the world who’s #1 at 168
Smith: “When you think about yourself at this point in your career in what you bring to the table, what is it that you think the public is missing about you? I’m just wondering, is there something that we’re missing about you in your mind that we don’t know about you that we need to see?”
Benavidez: “There’s a lot of things that I’m working on that I want to show to the fans that I’m capable of. It’s just putting everything on the line. The fans know that I’m a power puncher and that I throw a lot of punches, punches in bunches, and I like to go in there and get the knockouts.
“So, I want to show the fans what they want to see and prove to the world that I am the best super middleweight on this planet.”
Benavidez defeating Canelo & Andrade won’t prove who the #1 fighter is in the 168-lb division. He would still need to beat Morrell and his friend/gymmate Diego Pacheco. Without beating them, Benavidez will never be seen as #1 at super middleweight.
Smith: “I’ve never seen you hurt, bro. I don’t recall seeing you hurt. When was the last time you’ve been hurt in the boxing ring?”
Benavidez: “Never and you never will see me hurt, and that’s why I work extremely hard. I’ve got three months into this training camp. I put everything into this training camp.
“I have not left any stone unturned, and I come into my fights very prepared. That’s why the whole super middleweight division should be scared. I’m not going to take no for an answer. I’m going to clear this division out.”
Smith: “What was it like for you watching Canelo Alvarez fight against the smaller Jermell Charlo? He moved up two weight classes to fight Canelo Alvarez, and I gave him a lot of points for bravery because we’re talking about Canelo Alvarez here, but I was upset that the fight took place.
“His brother [Jermall] is having some personal issues that he’s dealing with, but he’s the natural fighter at 168. He wasn’t prepared for that fight. His brother moved up and said he was targeting it all along. He was supposed to be the guy that went up two weight classes that fought Canelo, but I thought Canelo should have been fighting you.
“What was it like for you, who is the #1 contender who’s obviously in line to fight Canelo to see Canelo take that fight against an opponent two divisions smaller than him?”
Benavidez wants a title shot
Benavidez: “I don’t want to disrespect Charlo. He took the chance, he went up two weight classes, and he [Jermell] didn’t look good. Canelo Alvarez, in my opinion, he didn’t look good. It was a boring fight. There was only a little bit of punches thrown, and what the fans want to see is Canelo Alvarez against a real super middleweight.
“I’m the strongest, I’m the fastest, and I’m the best in this division. So, let’s give the people what they want to see. What are we waiting for?”
Smith: “Why do you think he’s waiting so long to fight you?”
Benavidez: “Because he knows once he steps in the ring with me, all his belts leave with me. I’m not leaving that building without all those belts, and I will be victorious when that fight happens.”
See what I mean? Those recent wins by Benavidez have messed up his head, and his ego has gone haywire. One could understand him getting this kind of confidence if he looked good against Plant and if he beat someone ultra-talented like Morrell. That wasn’t the case. He looked awful against Plant, and turned down the fight with Morrell.
Smith: “Mike Tyson calls you the ‘Mexican Monster.’ Obviously, you know you have those Latino roots. I’m wondering why those Mexicans in Mexico and beyond haven’t demanded that Canelo ultimately fight you and that they’ve let him get away with waiting so long to get you in the ring.
“I’m speculating, I don’t know, but I’m wondering how you feel along those lines about how long he’s waited to get you in the ring. Why is that?”
Benavidez: “I think he knows I’m the biggest threat he’s ever faced, and that’s why he’s letting it prolong for as long as he can. The fans and the fight legends are already calling for this fight, but I think Canelo thinks he’s going to wait me out.
“That’s going to be even more dangerous for him because I’m getting more experience, getting more comfortable in the spotlight and I’m ready to go. I want this. I really want all those belts, and I want to prove to the world that I’m the best.”
