Boxing
David Benavidez: “I don’t look at Oleksandr Gvozdyk’s past, but I look through him”
Published
5 months agoon
By
J. HumzaLAS VEGAS – David Benavidez vowed not to leave out Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
Throughout the week, Benavidez fielded questions about what’s next for him, if he manages to defeat Gvozdyk in his first fight since moving up to 175 pounds, whether he’ll get a fight with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, or whether he’ll want to fight the October winner unified airy heavyweight title fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev.
That’s obviously offensive to Gwozdyk, whom he’s scheduled to meet Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but Benavidez said his thoughts are only focused on the task at hand.
While waiting for the unexplained situation of Anthony Joshua in the first fight with Andy Ruiz, which took place in Up-to-date York in 2019, the Englishman was bombarded with an inexorable wave of questions about the future fight with Deontay Wilder. Ruiz stopped Joshua in seven rounds in a stunning upset.
“The difference between me and Anthony Joshua and what happened is that I don’t think he took this fight seriously,” Benavidez said. “I take every fight 100% seriously. I don’t bother with it. I know one bad performance can put you at the back of the bus. I prepared very strenuous for this fight, like every fight. A total of four months in training camp and we are leaving no stone unturned. I don’t look past Gvozdyk, but I look through him. That means I’ll eliminate him, but I’m prepared for whatever he brings to the table. Strength, speed, endurance – it’s all 100 percent.”
Gvozdyk was in great shape at yesterday’s weigh-in, but Benavidez has a frame that can probably handle 200 pounds.
Still just 27 years ancient and 28-0 (24 KOs), he agrees with Gwozdyk, who believes that airy heavyweight would be for the Phoenix-born fighter weighing more than 168.
“Definitely,” Benavidez said. “We’re getting better with every fight, but this is where I’m going to shine, in this weight class. It was the easiest weight cut of my entire career. I was really content all week. I still have lots of energy. The elementary fact is that I’m not as exhausted and I won’t go down to 168, I’ll have more strength, more speed and more endurance. Overall, I will be a better fighter in the ring. It’s going to be a great fight. I have prepared very strenuous and I am ready to go.”
Benavidez gained momentum both outside the ropes and inside. His cheers from the crowd this week are second only to those received by Gervonta “Tank” Davis, who is co-headlined against Frank Martin – but even then, they weren’t far from Tank’s.
“I feel like with every fight the popularity grows, but it didn’t happen overnight,” Benavidez explained. “I have been a professional for 10 years. This is my 11th year as a professional, so it definitely took some time. But now that we are here, we will continue to put the pressure on and show that I am the best in the world.
Does he think Gwozdyk is his biggest threat yet?
“I feel like every next fight will be the most unsafe,” Benavidez said. “That’s why I prepare 100 percent for every player, I don’t leave out any player. I know Gwozdyk has a great amateur pedigree, great professional fights, a great former champion – he has the whole package.”
But as for Canelo: Benavidez’s performance will likely be analyzed by the Mexican hero and his team. If Benavidez looks good, Canelo could go in a different direction. If he doesn’t look this good, the outcry in support of Benavidez’s demands for a fight may die down.
“I never think about looking bad,” Benavidez said. “Every time I go in there, I do my job, I try to do it to the best of my ability. Sometimes it may scare other players away from me, but I don’t care. My job is always to go in there and look the best I can.
Much attention was paid to comments about Benavidez’s hydrated weight, and he stated they were never an issue after Canelo said Benavidez brought nothing to the fight other than an extra 25 pounds on fight night.
“I have never weighed over 25 pounds in any fight,” Benavidez said. “That’s why when Canelo said that, at most I weighed 19 pounds. I have never weighed more than 25 pounds. Even before this fight, I wasn’t that exhausted. I don’t think I can jump that high. Probably 12-13 pounds. But my main goal is not to be bigger than Gwozdyk. My main goal and what I want to do is to be rapid, mighty and maintain that endurance for the entire 12 rounds and that’s what I’m going to do.
“I’m going to knock him out because I’m gaining weight and I’m extremely mighty. This will be the best fight of my career so far, my best performance of my career so far, and I will shine this Saturday.”
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Boxing
The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena
Published
14 hours agoon
November 23, 2024In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).
The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”
Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00
“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”
Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.
“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.
Boxing
George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team
Published
1 day agoon
November 23, 2024Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.
Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.
The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.
Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.
The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.
“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.
“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.
“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”
Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.
“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].
Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.
“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.
Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.
“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.
Boxing
Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul
Published
3 days agoon
November 21, 2024One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.
WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.
Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.
“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.
“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.
“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”
Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.
Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.
Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.
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