David Benavidez isn’t happy with Jose Uzcategui.
The super middleweight contenders were set to fight on Nov. 13 in Phoenix, Benavidez’s hometown. However, Uzcategui was pulled from the show after his “A” sample allegedly tested positive for a synthetic version of EPO, which increases oxygen supply and endurance. The results of his “B” sample have not been revealed.
The fight had been postponed earlier after Benavidez contracted COVID-19.
“I was very disappointed,” said Benavidez, who will now face Kyrone Davis in the main event on Showtime. “The last time I caught COVID. This time this happened. I just feels like Uzcategui is a really dirty fighter. I was caught off guard.
“I don’t know how long he’s been on the stuff. EPO is a big one. It means you don’t gas out and you recover fast, too. It shows how scared he was to go to that extent.”
Benavidez, who tested positive for a key ingredient in cocaine in 2018, went on: “It’s a really good thing that VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) was there. They were doing their job, they caught him. Dirty fighters get caught sooner or later.”
Benavidez (24-0, 21 KOs) had been preparing for an aggressive, physically strong fighter in Uzcategui. Now he’s a fighting a slicker technician in Davis (16-2-1, 6 KOs), who gave a strong performance in a draw with former titleholder and Benavidez victim Anthony Dirrell in February.
Benavidez doesn’t believe the late change will impact his performance.
“Kyrone Davis is a boxer but he doesn’t move around that much,” he said. “My style always remains the same. The way I work I’m always consistent with my jab and combinations, going down to the body. … I’ll watch more film to be prepared for Davis.
“Uzcategui is a power puncher, he throws looping, wild shots. Davis throws straight shots. I’ve seen a lot of that before. I can adapt from one style to another quickly.”
Benavidez is excited about fighting in his hometown for the first time since 2015 and sharing the card with older brother Jose Benavidez Jr., who faces Francisco Torres in a junior middleweight bout.
The fight with Davis also could have a significant impact on his career. If he wins, the former two-time WBC 168-pound titleholder – who lost his belts because of the failed drug test and missing weight before his defense against Roamer Angulo last year – could get another shot at a title.
Of course, he would like to face the winner of Saturday’s showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant. If that doesn’t happen immediately, he said he’ll roll with his fate. He’s only 24. The opportunities will come.
“If they don’t want to give me the title shot, then give me a top contender. I’ll take them down too,” he said. “The good thing about me is that I turn 25 in December. I’m still young. I’ve got another 10 years ahead of me, probably more.
“… I made mistakes and had my titles taken away. If I have to start from ground zero and work all the way up again, I will. I feel I’ll make it to the top sooner or later.”
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