David Benavidez: The Rise of a Boxing Star and His Quest for Undisputed Glory

Undefeated two-time super middleweight world champion David "El Monstro" Benavidez ducks no smoke and is now on a mission to conquer new ground in the light heavyweight division.

Mexican-American David Benavidez was born in Phoenix, AZ, to parents Jose (Father) and Michelle. He is the younger brother of welterweight contender Jose Benavidez Jr. and older brother of sisters Isabella and Daisy.

Sacrifice and dedication…two elements of boxing that David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez knows all too well. While most two and three year olds toiled at playgrounds, David was learning how to throw jabs, with his older brother Jose. While his ten and eleven-year-old friends spent hours defeating video game foes, David honed his skills as a young boxer, defeating different types of rivals in the ring.

At fifteen years of age, while his classmates were pursuing girls and parties, David was traveling the country, sparring with the likes of Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, Kelly Pavlik, Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, Lateef “Power” Kayode and other world class fighters. David held his own with these fighters, and when he turned sixteen, a decision was to be made - continue to fight as an amateur or make his professional debut in Mexico.

Finding fights in the amateur ranks had been a struggle. Standing over 6’ tall at 15 years of age, it was difficult to find opponents that were able and, moreover, willing to step into the ring with the gifted boxer. He watched as his brother, Jose Benavidez, Jr. fought as a professional, garnering the attention of media outlets worldwide, and building a following of loyal fans. These fans bought tickets to see David compete as an amateur on the Celebrity Theatre stage in Phoenix, just by virtue of his being Junior’s brother.

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Ready to come into his own, sixteen year-old David and his father, Jose Benavidez, Sr. made a decision. David would make his professional debut in Rocky Point, Mexico, in August of 2013. It was a short bout, with David making quick work of his opponent, and scoring a first round knockout. His second professional bout, this time in Tijuana, would have the same result. In 2015 David signed with Sampson Boxing, and continued his winning streak, improving his record to 15-0.

2015 and 2016 saw Benavidez rise up the rankings with five knockout victories, including triumphs over then unbeaten Francy Ntetu and veteran contenders Rogelio Medina and Denis Douglin.

On September 8, 2017, Benavidez became the youngest super middleweight champion in history at 20-years-old by defeating Ronald Gavril via split-decision. Benavidez survived a final round knockdown, getting back on his feet to finish off a fight that garnered Fight of the Year recognition.

The knockdown earned Gavril a rematch with Benavidez, but Benavidez took care of business and won a wide unanimous decision to retain his title.

Benavidez made his return to the ring in March of 2019, competing as the co-main event on the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Mikey Garcia FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. He made quick work of J'Leon Love, knocking him out in two rounds.

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The win set up a showdown versus veteran Anthony Dirrell, who had won the WBC 168-pound title in Benavidez's absence. Benavidez slowly broke down Dirrell, opening a bad cut over his eye with a right hand in the sixth, and putting him away with a series of combinations in the ninth. Official time was 1:39.

Afterward, the new champion sank to his knees in jubilation. "There are so many emotions coming at me at once,” said Benavidez. “We put so much hard work into this training camp. We left home and were away from everything.

Benavidez was to make the first defense of his title versus hard-hitting Roamer Alexis Angulo on Saturday, August 15, in the main event of a PBC on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing card at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. However, Benavidez failed to make the 168-pound limit, coming in at 170.8 pounds which forced him to relinquish his title. It didn't, however, stop him from dominating Angulo, putting on offensive display that ended when Angulo's corner mercifully halted the action after the 10th round.

“It was a mistake on my part,” Benavidez said of missing weight. “A lot of people can say what they want. I’m in the gym every day. Just because this was my first time missing weight in eight years as a professional, it’s not like I missed weight hundreds of times.

“I’m extremely dedicated. I work as hard as anybody else. It’s the first time I missed weight. I got fined a lot of money. I lost the title. My job was to still win the fight. I still had a good fighter in front of me.

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On March 13, 2021, Benavidez delivered an eleventh-round TKO over veteran Ronald Ellis in a WBC super middleweight title eliminator live on SHOWTIME from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Benavidez (24-0, 21 KOs) flashed brilliant hand speed, accuracy and power as he dominated Ellis (18-2-2, 12 KOs) of Lynn, Mass., over 11 rounds before referee Johnny Callas finally waved off the fight at 2:03 of the penultimate round. The 24-year-old star held a significant lead on all three scorecards (99-91, 98-92 x2) at the time of the stoppage.

“I rate my performance pretty good but I know I could have done better,” said Benavidez, who extended his perfect record to 24-0. “Ronald Ellis is a tough competitor. I just hope the fans like what they saw. I threw a lot of combinations, punches in bunches. There were a lot of times I thought Ellis was going to quit but he didn’t. Hats off to him, he’s a tough guy. It was a little later than I wanted but a stoppage is still a stoppage. I hope the fans got a good show tonight.”

“I want all the big guys,” Benavidez added. “Speaking for the fans too, they would love to see me against all the big guys because as you can see, I love throwing punches. I love stopping people so me versus any big name would be an amazing fight. I want [Jermall] Charlo, Canelo Alvarez, Caleb Plant, all of them.”

Benavidez's next bout would take place Saturday, November 13, 2021, in his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, in front of a boisterous crowd at Footprint Center. Their native son didn't disappoint. Fighting at home for the first time in six years, Benavidez closed the show in spectacular fashion, scoring a seventh-round TKO over contender Kyrone Davis in the main event of action live on SHOWTIME.

On May 21, 2022, Benavidez returned to his native Arizona to take on former world champion David Lemieux at Gila River Arena in Glendale, live on SHOWTIME. Once again, Benavídez didn’t disappoint the hometown crowd, scoring a third-round TKO to win the vacant Interim WBC World Title.

Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) beat and battered a gutsy Lemieux (43-5, 36 KOs) from the opening bell knocking him to the canvas for the fifth time in his career midway through the second round on a massive uppercut that nearly sent Lemieux through the ropes. Lemieux somehow survived the onslaught of Benavidez’s power punches and returned to action in the third round. But Benavidez went right to work dishing out more and more punishment as Lemieux’s corner stepped in and signaled surrender to referee Harvey Dock, who waved off the fight with 1:31 remaining in the third round.

"Mike Tyson gave me the name ‘The Mexican Monster', what do you think I'm gonna do?” Benavidez told Jim Gray after the fight. “I just feel like I'm the strongest 168 pounder. No one can mess with me.”

Benavidez staggered Lemieux in the closing seconds of round one, the big blow a left hook that sent Lemieux into the ropes with Benavidez pouncing with a 10-punch combination of uppercuts, hooks and straight jabs. Dock later said he was about to stop the fight had the bell not rung to end the round.

"Lemieux is a special type of breed,” said Benavidez, who landed 49 percent of his total punches and 52 percent of his power punches. “This guy was swinging until the end. I had to be on my p's and q's. He's a tough champion, so my hat's off to him. He's the only one with the guts to face me.”

Lemieux never backed down and told Gray he was impressed with Benavidez. "I'm good, Benavidez is a hell of a fighter,” Lemieux said. “I congratulate him. After the first round I was okay, he had gotten me with some good shots. I tried to come back, but he's a very good fighter.”

Benavidez said he wants the best the 168-pound division has to offer. "I'm waiting for [Caleb Plant, Jermall Charlo, David Morrell] to sign the contract. Them bitches know what's up. I’m right here waiting for them. I'll put myself up against everyone. I guarantee I'm knocking everyone out.

"I can get better everywhere. You can always learn. It only gets better from here. I'm just going to keep working.

On March 25, Benavidez retained his Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title with a bruising unanimous decision victory over former world champion Caleb Plant in the SHOWTIME PPV main event Saturday night from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions. The judges’ final tallies were 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113.

The highly anticipated showdown between super middleweight rivals turned into the intriguing clash of styles that many predicted it would be, as Plant’s boxing acumen carried the early action until the brute force and high-volume power punching of Benavidez took over. After 12 grueling rounds in front of a sold out arena, the two fighters squashed their years long beef, embracing and expressing their mutual respect.

“I know there was a lot said between us but in the end we settled this like men,” said Benavidez. “I’m happy we gave the fans the best rivalry of the year or the last five years. I’m just very happy.”

According to CompuBox, Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) held a large advantage in power punches landed (180-68) but also out-landed Plant in jabs (30-23). Plant (22-2, 13 KOs) was the busier fighter, throwing 624 to Benavidez’s 551, but was unable to deter the late round onslaught from Benavidez.

“I knew I had to take it step by step and round by round,” said Benavidez. “Caleb is a tough fighter. He’s not going to give you everything in the first few rounds so you have to find him. But I feel like I didn’t just show that I was a power puncher tonight. I showed that I had defense and head movement and I was able to move around the ring and cut the ring off really good.”

Plant’s movement appeared to give Benavidez trouble throughout the early action, as Plant consistently landed two to three punch combinations and escape Benavidez’s counters. It wasn’t until round eight that Plant’s movement began to slow down and his attempts at holding were increasingly thwarted. As the fight moved into the championship rounds, Benavidez pushed forward more aggressively, busting Plant’s nose and peppering him with short hooks from all angles. Plant stayed on his feet for the final bell, but his final attempts to turn the tide were thwarted by Benavidez.

Asked post fight about his future plans, Benavidez set his sights squarely on undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez. “I just want to tell everyone that I have a lot of respect for Canelo Alvarez but he has to give me that shot now,” said Benavidez. “That’s what everyone wants to see.

On Saturday, November 25, Benavídez lived up to his nickname and billings as perhaps the sport’s most destructive offensive weapon as he defended his Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title and blitzed former two-division champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade with a stoppage after the sixth round in the SHOWTIME PPV main event Saturday night headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The ending came after Andrade’s trainer wouldn’t allow him to leave the corner to start the seventh round after Benavídez, fighting his first southpaw in seven years, bloodied and pounded Andrade in perhaps the signature performance of his career. Benavídez (28-0, 24 KOs) remained undefeated as Andrade (32-1, 19 KOs) suffered his first loss.

“I think I just solidified myself as a dominant force here,” Benavídez said. “I just reminded everyone who the real champion at 168 is. Who wants to see me versus Canelo? I'm going to be super middleweight champion of the world, three-time world champion. Now, just give me the fight that we all want to see. Who wants to see Benavídez versus Canelo?”

Benavídez punctuated his performance with an embrace of Mike Tyson outside the ring following the stoppage. Tyson famously dubbed Benavídez the “Mexican Monster.”

"I just told Mike Tyson that I love him and thank you so much for the motivation he's given me,” Benavídez said. “It's not every day a boxing legend like Mike Tyson gives people nicknames, so I just want to live up to my name.

“Everybody says I'm not this, I'm not that, I'm flat-footed, I have no defense. This guy probably applied one of the best defenses. He's really good offensively. He could barely even hit me, so I think that says a lot on its own. I just have to keep beating who they put in front of me. I'm the best. I'm going to be the best. I'm going to be a legend by the time I'm done, so whoever you keep putting in front of me, I'll keep knocking them down."

"Let's give the people what they want to see. They want to see Benavídez versus Canelo."

Just as he did against Caleb Plant in March, Benavídez grew stronger and more dangerous as the fight wore on. After Andrade held his own in the opening rounds, Benavídez broke down his 35-year-old opponent with breathtaking efficiently. A looping right hand from Benavídez to the side of the head dropped Andrade for the third time in his career with seconds left in the fourth round. Andrade crumpled to the canvas and rose on shaky legs to survive the round. Benavídez hurt Andrade again with a left to start the fifth round as he continued to walk Andrade down and land hard punches. Andrade’s right eye started to close midway through the frame as Benavídez teed off on him with a right uppercut and an assortment of short, stinging shots. Olympian, with left that had him stumbling across the ring.

It was a far cry from the start of the fight when Andrade was able to smother Benavídez’s punches, darting in and out and winging shots from odd angles that found their mark. Andrade looked sensational in the first two rounds, while Benavídez bided his time, carefully picking his shots.

For a long time, David Benavidez was touted as the toughest fight for Canelo Alvarez. At one point, they were the two leading horses at super middleweight. However, Benavidez, despite being very keen to face Canelo, never had his wish fulfilled.

He has since moved up to the 175 lbs division and holds the WBC title at light heavyweight, which he will defend against Anthony Yarde on November 22. As for Canelo, he lost the undisputed super middleweight title due to a recent loss to Terence Crawford.

Canelo's future move remains under the spotlight. Benavidez's light heavyweight move, though, has somewhat diminished the possibilities of that potential contest. Benavidez himself has now explained his stance on facing Canelo, and his words may surprise many.

Benavidez believes a fight between him and Canelo would still be massive and added that the Mexican should square off against him if he wants to regain fans' respect. Apart from that, Benavidez thinks it would be a lucrative fight for Canelo.

Speaking to MARCA, he said, "I don't know what he's looking for, if he wants money and people's respect he should face me. I'm not saying he's afraid of me, but I'm ready and if we face each other I will beat him." Canelo remains a dream fight for Benavidez as the three opponents he wants to face are:"The fights I would like to do now are against Canelo, Beterbiev or Bivol."

With Benavidez now at light heavyweight, a clash against Dmitry Bivol or Artur Beterbiev is certainly possible. However, the Canelo fight can never be ruled out. Canelo still has two fights left on his contract with Riyadh Season, and Turki Alalshikh is willing to pay extraordinary amounts to make the biggest fights happen.

Crawford became the first male boxer to win the undisputed title in three different weight classes with his win against Canelo. He also moved up two weight classes to dethrone him, further proving his mettle as a pound-for-pound superstar.

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