Tag: Arizona Federal Theater

David Benavidez wants KO of Roamer Alexis Angulo in homecoming

David Benavidez returns to his hometown of Phoenix on April 18 against Roamer Alexis Angulo for the first defense of his 168-pound title.

David Benavidez left Phoenix without a belt. He’s going home with one.

Benavidez returns to his hometown on April 18 against Roamer Alexis Angulo at Arizona Federal Theater for the first defense of a super middleweight title he regained nearly four months ago, Showtime formally announced Monday

“I haven’t fought in Phoenix in five years,’’ Benavidez (22-0, 19 KOs) said. “It’s exciting to be back. I expect Angulo to come in ready. I know he just pulled an upset in his last fight and he’s not taking any shortcuts, but neither am I.

“Angulo has never been stopped, so I want to be the first person to stop him. I feel like I’m more motivated with a hungry fighter like him in front of me, and you will see it in my performance.”

Benavidez, 23, last fought in Phoenix in May 2015, when he was a teenager and mostly known for being former junior welterweight champion Jose Benavidez Jr.’s little brother. He was a pudgy kid, but his hands and personality possessed evident power and potential.

He loved to fight then.

He loves to fight now.

Angulo (26-1, 22 KOs) and a hometown crowd are expected to spark further development in Benavidez’s emerging stardom.

Angulo, a Colombian living in Miami, has world-class credentials. In his first world-title bid, he lost a decision to Gilberto Ramirez on June 30, 2018 in Oklahoma City. He has won three straight since then.

“Benavidez is a talented world champion who is clearly one of the best super middleweights in the world,’’ said Angulo, who will turn 36 on March 25. “This is going to be a great fight for the fans because of the style I bring to the ring.

“My Mexican style of fighting will be too much for Benavidez, and I will have my hand raised on April 18.”

Showtime also announced that former two-division champion Rances Barthelemy (27-1-1, 14 KOs), of Cuba, will face Dominican Alberto Puello (17-0, 9 KOs), an interim junior welterweight titleholder.

Lightweight prospect Michel Rivera (18-0, 12 KOs), also of The Dominican Republic, will fight Mexican Marcos Villasana Jr. (25-6, 14 KOs) in a title eliminator in the co-main event.

 

Follow Norm Frauenheim on Twitter @FrauenheimNorm

David Benavidez has his opponent for April 18, Roamer Alexis Angulo: report

David Benavidez is scheduled to face Roamer Alexis Angulo (26-1, 22 KOs) on April 18 at Arizona Federal Theater in Phoenix on Showtime.

It looks as if David Benavidez is going home for the first defense of a super middleweight title he regained.

Benavidez (22-0, 19 KOs) is scheduled to face Roamer Alexis Angulo (26-1, 22 KOs) on April 18 at Arizona Federal Theater in downtown Phoenix on Showtime, The Athletic is reporting.

Angulo replaces Caleb Truax as the challenger for the 168-pound belt held by Benavidez, who came back from a six-month suspension for a positive cocaine test on September 29 with a unanimous decision over Anthony Dirrell on a card featuring welterweight Errol Spence Jr.’s victory over Shawn Porter.

Angulo, of Colombia, is the third opponent to move into the mandatory challenger’s spot for the belt. Initially, Avni Yildirim, of Turkey, was in line to fight the 23-year-old Benavidez. But he withdrew because of a shoulder injury.

Benavidez, the younger brother of former junior welterweight champion Jose Benavidez Jr., grew up in Phoenix. He fought three fights in his hometown in 2015 after making his professional debut in Mexico.

The Benavidez-featured card will be the first boxing event at the downtown Phoenix theater in several years. Acelino Freitas beat Daniel Attah in a junior lightweight title defense there in June 2002 when it was named Dodge Theater. Former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito stopped Hercules Kyvelos there on HBO in January 2004. Late Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward promoted a series of cards there in 2005.