Avila Perspective, Chap. 147: David Benavidez and More

Though blessed with an abundance of fighting tools, unbeaten super middleweight David Benavidez needs one of those Hollywood makeovers and a villainous opponent to grab attention. Or maybe he should try villainy.

Training in North Hollywood is a start.

Former two-time world titlist Benavidez (24-0, 21 KOs) made a North Hollywood boxing gym his new training headquarters in preparation for his upcoming clash with former world champion Jose Uzcategui (31-4, 26 KOs) in Phoenix, Arizona a few weeks from now on Aug. 28. Showtime will televise.

Benavidez was raised in Phoenix.

Uzcategui may not be a marquee matchup that raises eyebrows, but you never know how a fight will play out. Especially when it’s slugger versus slugger.

“We both throw good power shots and we’re very similar fighters. When two bulls go toe-to-toe you’re going to get a war. This is going to be one of the best fights of the year. It’s a guaranteed war,” said Benavidez.

Despite suffering two major setbacks in his career, Benavidez is only 24 years old. Though he lost the title once for not making the weight and another time for a failed drug test, the Arizona native has such a bright future he’s got to wear shades.

Usually when someone wields this much talent people are gushing all over him, but not with Benavidez. He’s still an anomaly. Though tall, fast and able to absorb big blows like he did in his last fight with Ronald Ellis, somehow he’s missed the spotlight.

Will this next fight be the one?

Uzcategui can slug, plain and simple. He’s not going to be fancy or look to out-smart Benavidez. He performs best when he’s unloading his bombs. And he won’t have to chase Benavidez as he did Caleb Plant when he lost the IBF world title to the slickster a couple of years ago.

“A lot of fighters run and don’t want to get in there with Benavídez, but we stepped up,” said Uzcategui during a Zoom conference call. “Obviously we both hit hard. The difference in this fight is going to be who can stand there and take it better. It’s going to come down to preparation and who can stand up for 12 rounds.”

It could be the crucial match that leads to meeting the envy of the fight world Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

“I want the big challenges like Canelo Alvarez, and I know I have to win fights like these to get there. I want the tough fights. That’s what makes this a great fight for the fans,” said Uzcategui.

It truly is a pivotal fight for either Uzcategui or Benavidez but more for the Arizonan.

“I know that I can hurt anybody. I’ve hurt everyone I’ve ever faced. I’m not ignorant though, I know that he has power too. I think if I follow my game plan, I can definitely knock him out,” said Benavidez. “No one has knocked him out, so I’m training hard to be the first person to do that. I go for the stoppage in every fight and I know he’s going to come for the same thing.”

As a super middleweight who can easily morph into a light heavyweight, Benavidez could potentially be the nexus for many future mega fights above the middleweights.

He’s got the tools.

“This is the kind of fight we both need to get to the bigger dogs. I’ll fight whoever I have to in order to get back to the world title. I’m going to earn my opportunity any way it comes,” Benavidez said.

Fighting Irish

A couple of Irish featherweights clash on Friday August 6, when Michael Conlan (15-0, 8 KOs) meets former super bantamweight titlist TJ Doheny (22-2,16 KOs) in a match for the vacant interim WBA featherweight title. The bout takes place in Belfast, Northern Ireland. ESPN+ will stream.

Conlan is a fiery 2016 Olympian who has grown steadily into a contender as a professional.

Doheny is a former world titlist who lost to Los Angeles fighter Danny Roman in perhaps the best Fight of the Year in April 2019. It was a brutal fight that seemed to sap the energy from both fighters.

On paper, Conlan seems to have the advantage. He eked out a win over Ionut Baluta by majority decision this past March. Baluta defeated Doheny by decision a year ago. Also, the fight takes place in Conlan’s hometown of Belfast. Doheny was born in Portlaois, Ireland and now lives in Australia.

The fight can be seen on ESPN+ early Friday morning if you live in the West Coast.

Boxing Expo

The annual Box Fan Expo held in Las Vegas during mid-September has been canceled due to surges in the pandemic.

“After reviewing the new CDC government health and mask mandate guidelines for indoor events, we have decided to postpone the Box Fan Expo to 2022,” stated Box Fan Expo.

Fights to Watch

Fri. ESPN+ 11 a.m. Michael Conlan (15-0) vs TJ Doheny (22-2).

Sat. DAZN 11 a.m. Kid Galahad (27-1) vs James Dickens (30-3).

Sat. FOX 5 p.m. Gabriel Maestre (3-0) vs Mychal Fox (22-2).

Check out more boxing news on video at the Boxing Channel

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