No title will be on the line when David Benavidez fights Roamer Alexis Angulo on Saturday at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.
Benavidez on Friday weighed in 2.8 pounds over the super middleweight limit of 168. Thus, he was stripped of his WBC belt and. Angulo would claim the title with a victory. It will become vacant if Benavidez wins.
Benavidez (22-0, 19 KOs) reportedly said he tried to lose the final few pounds but gave up when he couldn’t do so.
Jose Benavidez Sr., the fighter’s father, told ESPN that his son’s body shut down. Also, Benavidez said that training during the coronavirus pandemic and in the Mohegan bubble made it difficult to work out adequately.
Benavidez said he plans to stay at 168 for the time being.
“I’m very disappointed. Obviously, this is my first time missing weight,” Benavidez said. “I’m very disappointed losing my title on the scales, but I still have a job to do tomorrow. I lose the title, but I’m still going to win the fight tomorrow.”
Benavidez is no stranger to losing his title outside the ring. He was stripped of the 168-pound title he won in 2017 after testing positive for cocaine. He regained the belt when he stopped Anthony Dirrell last September.
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