19-year old “veteran” David Benavidez Featured on StubHub Undercard

StubHub Undercard – Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto tangle in a 12-round welterweight contest in the main event of a FOX Sports and FOX Deportes tripleheader at the StubHub Center in Carson, California on Saturday, April 30. The bout is a rematch of their 2012 war, a lusty skirmish in which both were on the canvas twice. A 10-round featherweight contest between Jorge Lara and Fernando Montiel and a 10-round light heavyweight contest between Edwin Rodriguez and Thomas Williams Jr. are the appetizers on the TV portion of the 11-bout card. And for those lucky enough to be at the venue, several other bouts also promise fireworks.

Light heavyweight David Benavidez (13-0, 12 KOs) was introduced to boxing by his father at the age of two. The younger brother of undefeated Jose Benavidez Jr — who owns something called the WBA interim world super lightweight title — David launched his pro career at the age of 16, fighting his first seven bouts in Mexico because he was too young to fight legally as a professional in the United States. In the words of his trainer David Garcia, he turned pro at such a tender age because he was so mature physically that “the amateur level didn’t offer him any further opportunity to develop.” Nine of Benavidez’s 12 knockouts have come in the opening round.

Benavidez is matched against Phillip Jackson-Benson (16-2, 15 KOs) in a bout scheduled for eight rounds. Jackson-Benson, a former two-time New York City Golden Gloves champion, trains at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn.

Philadelphia heavyweight Eddie Chambers (42-4) looks to make it seven straight at the expense of Gerald Washington (16-0-1) in a bout scheduled for 10 rounds. Chambers’ best year was 2009 when he defeated Samuel Peter and previously undefeated Alexander Dimitrenko to earn a date with Wladimir Klitschko. Chambers was outclassed by Klitschko, the reigning heavyweight champion, but came within five seconds of lasting the distance.

Gerald Washington has an interesting background. He served four years in the Navy as a helicopter mechanic before enrolling at Chaffey Junior College where his prowess on the gridiron earned him a scholarship to USC where he earned two letters as a defensive end. Now 34 years old, Washington was held to a draw by Amir Mansour in his last outing, making this very much a crossroads fight for him. Standing 6’6”, he will be five inches taller and considerably heavier than his well-seasoned opponent.

Cleveland’s Terrell Gausha (17-0, 8 KOs) takes a step up in class when he meets Orlando Lora (31-6-2) in a 10-round super welterweight contest. An elite amateur, Gausha participated in the 2012 London Olympics where he was out-pointed in the second round by India’s celebrated Vijender Singh. Lora hails from Culiacan in the province of Sinaloa, a hotbed of Mexican fistic talent. He has lost four of his last seven starts, but in all four of those defeats his opponent was undefeated.

Doors to the StubHub Center, an outdoor stadium whose primary tenant is the LA Galaxy soccer team, open at 2:30. Tickets are priced from $27 to $209. The TV portion of the event starts at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT.

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