Jose Benavidez Jr. was fortunate to emerge with a draw on the David Benavidez-Kyrone Davis card Saturday in Phoenix, the Benavidezes hometown.
Benavidez, who hadn’t fought in more than three years, had his hands full with the slick, much busier Emanuel Torres from the opening bell yet two judges scored it 95-95. The third had Benavidez winning 96-94.
Boxing Junkie scored it 96-94 for Torres largely because of his work rate.
No one would dispute that Torres (17-3-1, 5 KOs) threw and landed more punches than Benavidez (27-1-1, 18 KOs). The 32-year-old Argentine landed his long jab consistently and followed with straight, accurate rights to control most of the fight.
Benavidez could counter by saying he landed the harder, more-eye-catching punches, which evidently earned him points with all three judges.
Indeed, Benavidez hasn’t been as mobile as he once was after he was shot in the leg five years ago. However, he hasn’t lost his fighting spirit, even after his long layoff. He connected on many hard shots during fierce flurries.
The question is whether you favored Torres’ activity or Benavidez’s explosive barrages. In the end, two of the judges gave them equal credit.
when he stepped into the ring to face Manu Torres