It wasn’t his best performance in a new division and he admitted it himself, but It would be unfair to demean David Benavídez after he won a new world championship this Saturday in Las Vegas.
David Benavídez, making his light heavyweight debut, obtained the interim title of the World Boxing Council by defeating the Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk, a former world champion, who proved to be a very difficult opponent.
The rise in division of the so-called “Mexican Monster” was noticeable, since the Phoenix native did not have the volume of blows nor the forceful punch that he has become accustomed to in the super middleweight division. Furthermore, his rival was a taller and physically very strong man, with splendid preparation despite his 37 years.
Anyway, Benavidez won most of the rounds, including complete dominance in the first six rounds before Gvozdyk began to close out the fight. and win some rounds. The judges scored the fight 116-112, 117-111 and 119-109 for the unanimous decision that leaves Benavídez with a record of 29-0 (24 KOs). The Ukrainian, who was previously world light heavyweight champion, remains at 20-2.
“I think it’s a 7 out of 10, honestly,” Benavidez said when the ringside reporter asked him how he rated his performance. “Oleksandr is a great fighter, not for nothing is he a former world champion and Olympic medalist.”
When talking about his lack of punching volume, Benavídez explained: “I think it’s because I was trying to feel at light heavyweight, they hit a little harder.” Then, He revealed that he was happy just to have been able to fight despite a cut he suffered two weeks earlier and a torn tendon in his right hand..
The cut became evident after round 8, when he was treated in his corner for that dangerous cut on his left eyelid. “I couldn’t let them get to me,” he said of the injuries.
Benavídez had good moments in the first half of the fight with fast combinations on top alternating with body shots. He managed to land several good left hooks that found Gvozdyk’s head, but he seemed unfazed and continued to land blows.
The Ukrainian received more blows, especially from power, although he ended up throwing more than the popular Mexican-American gladiator. According to CompuBox, Benavídez landed 223 of 521 punches thrown (43%), while Gvozdyk had 163 of 699 (23%).
By round 9, Benavídez began to look tired, a natural symptom when someone moves up a division, but he still continued landing the best punches to close those rounds.
Benavídez, who said he entered the ring only 14 pounds above the regulation 175 he weighed the day before, stated that He wants to become champion again at 168 pounds either by facing Canelo Ávarez or if the Mexican vacates one of his titles, and added that he also wants to face the winner of Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev in semi-complete weight.
“I would like to fight in both divisions,” he said. For now, the presentation in another division was satisfactory.
In the main event fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Gervonta Davis knocked out Frank Martin with a pair of devastating left hands in round 8 to defend his WBA lightweight crown.
News in development.