David Benavidez was stripped of his 168-pound title Friday after failing to make weight for his fight against Roamer Angulo on Saturday.
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.
David Benavidez wants to fight Caleb Plant, Canelo Alvarez and all the other top fighters around his weight but, at 23, he’s in no hurry.
David Benavidez wants to face the best possible opponents as badly as anyone. The WBC super middleweight titleholder is dying to get his hands on fellow champion and budding rival Caleb Plant and dreams even bigger. He wants Canelo Alvarez one day.
For now, he’s playing the waiting game. And he has one advantage over other elite fighters in a similar position: He’s 23. He has time. And he’s perfectly content to use it.
In the meantime, you cross paths with the imposing Arizonan at your own risk. Next up for him: Roamer Alexis Angulo in a voluntary title defense Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun “bubble” in Uncasville, Conn.
A victory over the rough Dominican would probably be followed by a mandatory title defense against No. 1 contender Avni Yildirim. After that? Anyone’s guess.
“Time is on my side,” Benavidez told Boxing Junkie. “It doesn’t matter to me if I get these fights this year, next year, in two years. I’ll be ready. I’m not going anywhere. I have at least 10 years left in the boxing game.”
David Benavidez (right) stopped Anthony Dirrell in his last fight. AP Photo / Ringo H.W. Chiu
Benavidez (22-0, 19 KOs) was scheduled to fight Angulo (26-1, 22 KOs) on April 18 but the fight gave way to the coronavirus pandemic and was later rescheduled.
Of course, the COVID-19 shutdown slowed Benavidez’s momentum – as it has so many fighters – but he also caught a break. His father had just completed a private gym in their hometown of Phoenix when the pandemic hit, which gave him a boxing sanctuary.
He said he has trained every day. He’s fit. He’s focused. He’s eager.
“I’m just ready to pick up where I left off,” he said.
Angulo (26-1, 22 KOs) might have something to say about that.
The Miami-based Colombian, 36, isn’t a boxing wizard but he’s an unusually strong, hard-punching pressure fighter who is dangerous for anyone at 168 pounds. In his only loss, in June 2018, he lost a wide decision to then-titleholder Gilberto Ramirez but the Mexican boxed carefully after feeling Angulo’s power.
“[Angulo] is more of a brawler,” Benavidez said. “He’s a pretty good counterpuncher. I’m not underestimating him at all. I can’t sleep in there, I can’t get careless. I want to look good in this fight.
“I’m younger than he is. I’ve been in bigger fights, obviously. I’m a world champion. And I have the perfect style for a brawler. I have a great jab, I throw body shots, I have hand speed, I feel my defense is underestimated.
“I have all the things in my arsenal to looking amazing in there.”
Benavidez is a two-time world titleholder even though hes only 23. Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images
If he wins?
The WBC will likely require him to face Yildirim, who was supposed to have been his opponent in April but was injured and replaced by Angulo before the pandemic put boxing on hold. The Turk is only a solid fighter, probably no better than Angulo, meaning a victory wouldn’t mean much.
That’s where Benavidez’s patience will have to come in. If he keeps winning, regardless of the opponent, the big fights will come.
The first one might be a title-unification showdown with Plant, a talented, unbeaten 28-year-old with whom Benavidez seems to be building an out-of-the-ring rivalry. Then, if things continue to go well, Benavidez will set his sights on arguably the biggest prize in the sport, Alvarez.
That is if the Mexican superstar is interested. Alvarez and his team have considered a long list of potential opponents – including some super middleweights – for his next fight but, evidently, Benavidez’s name wasn’t on it. He said he never received a feeler of any kind.
Why? We can only speculate.
“Plant got an offer, [Callum] Smith got an offer, [Billy Joe] Sanders got an offer. I haven’t even been in the discussion even though I’ve called him out. I don’t know why they wouldn’t want to give me the fight now.
“I can say this, though: If they don’t give it to me [soon], I’m going to be more dangerous a year or two years from now. Every year I’m going to get more experience, I’m going to get stronger, I’m going to get better. I’ll be ready whenever they give me the opportunity.
“As I said, I’m not going anywhere.”
Benavidez’s plan is to keep winning, to keep climbing until he has leverage similar to Alvarez’s, where everyone wants to fight him because of the money and exposure involved. The next step is a victory over Angulo.
David Benavidez wants to fight Caleb Plant, Canelo Alvarez and all the other top fighters around his weight but, at 23, he’s in no hurry.
David Benavidez wants to face the best possible opponents as badly as anyone. The WBC super middleweight titleholder is dying to get his hands on fellow champion and budding rival Caleb Plant and dreams even bigger. He wants Canelo Alvarez one day.
For now, he’s playing the waiting game. And he has one advantage over other elite fighters in a similar position: He’s 23. He has time. And he’s perfectly content to use it.
In the meantime, you cross paths with the imposing Arizonan at your own risk. Next up for him: Roamer Alexis Angulo in a voluntary title defense Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun “bubble” in Uncasville, Conn.
A victory over the rough Dominican would probably be followed by a mandatory title defense against No. 1 contender Avni Yildirim. After that? Anyone’s guess.
“Time is on my side,” Benavidez told Boxing Junkie. “It doesn’t matter to me if I get these fights this year, next year, in two years. I’ll be ready. I’m not going anywhere. I have at least 10 years left in the boxing game.”
David Benavidez (right) stopped Anthony Dirrell in his last fight. AP Photo / Ringo H.W. Chiu
Benavidez (22-0, 19 KOs) was scheduled to fight Angulo (26-1, 22 KOs) on April 18 but the fight gave way to the coronavirus pandemic and was later rescheduled.
Of course, the COVID-19 shutdown slowed Benavidez’s momentum – as it has so many fighters – but he also caught a break. His father had just completed a private gym in their hometown of Phoenix when the pandemic hit, which gave him a boxing sanctuary.
He said he has trained every day. He’s fit. He’s focused. He’s eager.
“I’m just ready to pick up where I left off,” he said.
Angulo (26-1, 22 KOs) might have something to say about that.
The Miami-based Colombian, 36, isn’t a boxing wizard but he’s an unusually strong, hard-punching pressure fighter who is dangerous for anyone at 168 pounds. In his only loss, in June 2018, he lost a wide decision to then-titleholder Gilberto Ramirez but the Mexican boxed carefully after feeling Angulo’s power.
“[Angulo] is more of a brawler,” Benavidez said. “He’s a pretty good counterpuncher. I’m not underestimating him at all. I can’t sleep in there, I can’t get careless. I want to look good in this fight.
“I’m younger than he is. I’ve been in bigger fights, obviously. I’m a world champion. And I have the perfect style for a brawler. I have a great jab, I throw body shots, I have hand speed, I feel my defense is underestimated.
“I have all the things in my arsenal to looking amazing in there.”
Benavidez is a two-time world titleholder even though hes only 23. Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images
If he wins?
The WBC will likely require him to face Yildirim, who was supposed to have been his opponent in April but was injured and replaced by Angulo before the pandemic put boxing on hold. The Turk is only a solid fighter, probably no better than Angulo, meaning a victory wouldn’t mean much.
That’s where Benavidez’s patience will have to come in. If he keeps winning, regardless of the opponent, the big fights will come.
The first one might be a title-unification showdown with Plant, a talented, unbeaten 28-year-old with whom Benavidez seems to be building an out-of-the-ring rivalry. Then, if things continue to go well, Benavidez will set his sights on arguably the biggest prize in the sport, Alvarez.
That is if the Mexican superstar is interested. Alvarez and his team have considered a long list of potential opponents – including some super middleweights – for his next fight but, evidently, Benavidez’s name wasn’t on it. He said he never received a feeler of any kind.
Why? We can only speculate.
“Plant got an offer, [Callum] Smith got an offer, [Billy Joe] Sanders got an offer. I haven’t even been in the discussion even though I’ve called him out. I don’t know why they wouldn’t want to give me the fight now.
“I can say this, though: If they don’t give it to me [soon], I’m going to be more dangerous a year or two years from now. Every year I’m going to get more experience, I’m going to get stronger, I’m going to get better. I’ll be ready whenever they give me the opportunity.
“As I said, I’m not going anywhere.”
Benavidez’s plan is to keep winning, to keep climbing until he has leverage similar to Alvarez’s, where everyone wants to fight him because of the money and exposure involved. The next step is a victory over Angulo.
The Regis Prograis-Maurice Hooker fight and three PBC cards have been shelved as a result of the coronavirus threat.
Premier Boxing Champions is canceling cards through at least the end of April and Matchroom Boxing is calling off the Regis Prograis-Maurice Hooker bout because of the coronavirus pandemic.
PBC decided Monday to shelve three cards, including super middleweight David Benavidez’s homecoming scheduled for April 17 against Roamer Alexis Angulo at the Arizona Federal Theater in downtown Phoenix.
“The health and safety of the boxers, fans and those working the events are of utmost importance to us,” Tom Brown, president of TGB Promotions and lead promoter for the canceled PBC shows, said in a statement. “We are all disappointed, and as we get more information we will address future events.”
Prograis-Hooker, an intriguing junior welterweight bout, had been scheduled for April 17 at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn said he will try to re-schedule the bout.
Two other PBS cards were scheduled, one featuring Luis Nery vs. Aaron Alvarado in a bantamweight bout on March 28 at the MGM’s Park Theater in Las Vegas and Jamal James vs. Thomas Dulorme in a welterweight bout on April 11 at The Armory in Minneapolis.
The MGM announced Sunday that it was closing its casinos and hotels in Las Vegas for “the foreseeable future.’’
Meanwhile, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in an advisory Sunday that events with more than 50 people should not be held over the next eight weeks. That means there might not be any boxing in the U.S. until at least May 11.
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.
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.
