There’s a number of boxing in David Benavidez…and I imply that in a number of methods.
First, in the obvious method, the man is aware of his shit and is an absolute pleasure to look at, as evidenced by his one-sided blowout of David Lemieux (in an particularly mature, severe efficiency, by the best way) this previous Saturday on Showtime. The 25-year-old is a real pure, a baby prodigy who, a minimum of on offense, hasn’t simply discovered each lesson given to him, however has absorbed these classes, has BECOME these classes.
However the unfavourable, non-fighting facets of the younger man and his profession trajectory additionally say lots about boxing.
On the flip facet of his pure expertise and aptitude, there’s been the ages-old boxing story of a champion introduced down by outside-the-ring weaknesses and distractions. Notably, the Phoenix native holds the odd distinction of being a two-time world champion who’s misplaced his belt twice with out ever dropping a combat within the ring.
He was stripped of the WBC tremendous middleweight title for the primary time in 2018, shortly after turning into the youngest fighter to carry that title, when he examined optimistic for cocaine. Then, after ultimately regaining the belt, he was stripped a second time in August 2020 when he did not make weight for the primary protection of his second championship reign.
These self-induced setbacks have price him dearly and a case may very well be made that his struggles in getting the massive fights he’s wished (particularly, a Canelo Alvarez combat) have come straight from twice abdicating his throne for no good purpose.
Fortunately for him, nonetheless, his detours got here at a younger age and he’s nonetheless younger sufficient to place all of that behind him as early, odd footnotes to an in any other case hefty, fruitful profession.
And talking of the massive fights Benavidez isn’t getting…
Him not getting these fights additionally says lots about boxing.
No one ought to need to be informed that boxing is a enterprise. And so they shouldn’t need to be informed {that a} gifted, harmful fighter won’t have established stars bending over backwards to accommodate his problem, except the reward for assembly him is larger than the danger of dealing with him.
Up till this level, Benavidez has been all danger with little reward. Even now, regardless of large reside gates within the Phoenix space, no. 1 sanctioning physique rankings, and a newly-won interim WBC tremendous middleweight title, it’s nonetheless good boxing enterprise to look elsewhere for a very good B-side opponent.
And, to Workforce Benavidez’s credit score, they appear to get that now. Boxing enterprise is open to fighters turning into stars; It’s simply not all that open anymore to stars being put in positions to move their torch.
“All of you, please don’t proceed fantasizing on Canelo,” Benavidez’s promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, informed reporters in the course of the post-fight press convention Saturday evening. “He won’t take a step forward to combat the true champion, the champion of the individuals. Let’s not discuss anymore about Canelo. It doesn’t exist.
“He appeared so dangerous [in his May 7 loss to WBA light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol] that I don’t assume he can come again. Perhaps he can take it as a 40-year-old man. Apart from that, he won’t do nothing else. So please, don’t speak about Canelo. It gained’t occur and can doubtless by no means occur.”
Lewkowicz’s plans for Benavidez’s subsequent combat embody Caleb Plant, David Morrell, and Jermall Charlo—all difficult, legacy-building, star-building contests for a fighter with, obvious, actual ambitions. In fact, anyone has to speak to Plant, Morrell, and Charlo about whether or not they have the identical sans-Canelo plans for future stardom and legacy constructing.
However, that’s the factor about boxing…and likewise about Benavidez– you simply by no means know.
As a lot as we’d wish to imagine in each, each have proven a bent for irritating, momentum-stalling, self-destructive detours. As a fan– of boxing and of David Benavidez– I’ll be assuming my traditional place: Hoping for the very best, bracing for the worst.
Obtained one thing for Magno? Ship it right here: paulmagno@theboxingtribune.com
