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