NEW YORK, NY — David Benavidez is destined to become a possible new face of boxing and surpass Canelo Alvarez, the former undisputed super middleweight champion among Mexican fighters. Though Benavidez was born in Phoenix, Arizona, he fights with Mexican pride.
And the WBC and WBA light heavyweight champion, tabbed as “regular” title holder due to technicalities with the structure of boxing rankings, is destined to become a new face of Mexican boxing, close to dethroning Alvarez with that distinction.
David Benavidez, known as “The Mexican Monster” improved to 31-0 Saturday with a seventh round KO on Anthony Yarde in the Ring IV super card – Image Credit: Ring Magazine
However, Alvarez, some will say has declined but still in the mix after losing the undisputed 168-pound titles to Terence Crawford earlier this year.
Early Saturday morning in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Benavidez, the two-division title holder, knocked out Anthony Yarde in the seventh round, a dominating performance that stated his claim at Ring IV, a super card that showcased title fights and premiere names in the sport.
But it was Benavidez with a dominant punch and style. He made his statement against Yarde, no animosity and respect that his opponent granted him for taking the fight. Known as “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez has bypassed a quest to meet Alvarez. Then at 168, a potential mega-fight and he believed Alvarez had no intentions of facing his power.
In boxing it works this way, Alvarez has picked his opportunities, only a face that draws and earns mega-millions has the ability to do that. Benavidez, though, said it was time to move on and test the light heavyweights, a weight more comfortable with an opportunity to unify. He asked for Dmitri Bivol who lost and regained portions of the 175-pound titles against Artur Beterbiev. So as it is in boxing, Benavidez seeking to unify his titles and with limited options, has gone another route that could solidify as best pound-for-pound.
“I got some news for you guys. May 2nd, me versus Zurdo Ramirez,” said Benavidez in the ring, referencing opposing Gilberto Ramirez, a challenge for his cruiserweight titles.
So, for sure the 28-year-old Benavidez gave the answer that has been talked about, seeking another title in a division that could assure he is the best Mexican fighter and perhaps a new face for boxing. Ramirez is a veteran, and the May 2nd bout between him and Benavidez would likely be contested in Las Vegas. Jai Opetaia, the IBF cruiserweight title holder potentially next if Benavidez defeats Ramirez as the talk of unification then begins.
And fighting Ramirez on Cinco de Mayo weekend against another Mexican champion will be special for Benavidez and boxing overall.
“I don’t want to wait for anyone anymore,” he said. “I told everyone I wanted to make a statement this fight. I told everyone I wanted to steal the show and I think I did that. Anthony Yarde came to go to war but I told him no one can mess with me.”
And as this plan continues, it will be about Benavidez. After all is said and done, Alvarez has his legacy and there is room now for the next Mexican superstar seeking another championship in a different weight class.
BAM BAM UNIFIES: Jesse “Bam Bam” Rodriguez should be considered pound-for-pound best however the junior bantamweight division hardly gets noticed partly due to the highly acclaimed bigger weight classes and names that dominate.
Regardless, Rodriguez is underrated yet always in the pound-for-pound discussion. And he deserves every accolade that comes with his championship stature, also a Mexican-American, residing in Texas. One of four championship title fights at Ring IV, Rodriguez was dominant with a 10th round KO over Fernando Martinez.
Jesse “Bam Bam” Rodriguez once again displayed his force Saturday with a 10th round KO on Fernando Martinez in the Ring IV super card – Image Credit: Ring Magazine
He is now a unified champion adding the WBA bantamweight title to his WBO and WBC crowns. This one was clear from the beginning, a hyped fight but it was all “Bam Bam” and as always looked for the knockout.
The 26-year-old (23-0, 16 KOs) can fight from the southpaw stance, has power, and is exciting, though Martinez who was determined had no answers as Rodriguez continued the onslaught.
“I showed I’m pound-for-pound one of the best,” he said in the ring with his Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn. “I wasn’t looking for the knockout. I wasn’t forcing it and I think that’s what helped me out. It came natural, I was trying to land that punch the whole fight and it finally landed and he went down.”
Landing a KO was a possibility and now an eventual fight with IBF champion Willibaldo Garcia, an opportunity to win all four titles at 115 pounds which would etch him in boxing history.
“Hopefully we can get that next,” he said.
“We will start to talk about it and hope to get it done soon,” stated Hearn.
IS HANEY NEXT FOR GARCIA?: Devin Haney was the co-main event of the four and rebounded at Ring IV, this after a dud of a fight against Jose Ramirez in Times Square NYC back in May.
But this time was the moment in Saudi Arabia as Haney (33-0-1 NC, 15 KO’s) got his redemption and became a three-division champion with a decisive 12-round decision over champion Brian Norman Jr., taking home the WBO welterweight title.
Devin Haney made a statement on Saturday by defeating Brian Norman Jr. in a decisive 12-round decision to win the WBO welterweight title – Image Credit: Ring Magazine
He set the tone better than the fiasco in New York in the middle of Times Square. Haney floored Norman in the second round, using the right, left hook, and power with his jab. Haney was defensive and at times resembled what he took in the ring as a former lightweight and junior welterweight champion.
Redemption, he and his trainer/dad Bill want that return bout with Ryan Garcia that resulted in a no-contest. Garcia was suspended due to PED positive testing, controversy ensued and the war of words continued.
In the meantime, Haney will have to defend against others as Garcia is scheduled to fight in February for the WBC welterweight title in possession of Mario Barrios.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer at LatinoSports.com – X: @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
Keep It In The Ring live Thursday evening with Rich and Tommy D on YouTube @Rich Mancuso Boxing and pro wrestling talk and analysis. Like, comment, subscribe to the channel
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Facebook: Latino Sports
Twitter: @latinosports
