Is David Ready For Goliath?

By Rich Mancuso

David Benavidez came home to Phoenix Saturday night and accomplished more than a homecoming win over Kyrone Davis. The former 168-pound champion made a statement with a commanding seventh-round TKO.

It is time for Benavidez to get his opportunity against Canelo Alvarez and challenge for the unified super middleweight titles. Davis, a late replacement because Jose Uzcategui failed a drug test, took a barrage of punches and his corner threw in the towel. So, this was a good victory for Benavidez in an attempt to oppose the unified champion Canelo Alvarez.

Yes, it is now time for the WBC and other sanctioning organizations to sanction a fight that Benavidez deserves and it has to be against Canelo Alvarez.

How do they do it, when, where? All of that will transpire in the days and months ahead. Benavidez, though, rightfully deserves the opportunity and does not care where an eventual fight would take place. “Everybody wants to see me against Canelo, right,” Benavidez said last Saturday night. “They need to give me the opportunity. I’ll go through anybody in front of me. Whoever they want me to go through.”

Benavidez mentioned Jermall Charlo, who has been calling out Alvarez. Last week, after Alvarez unified the 168-pound titles with a win over Caleb Plant, it was Charlo immediately making his pitch.

But all of this is not in the hands of Benavidez or Charlo. It’s in those hands of the WBC and various alphabet soup boxing organizations, who came to the table and allowed Alvarez to become the first unified 168-pound champion in the four-belt era.

Though, what matters is Benavidez and his team having to run through the usual politics of boxing. The fight with Davis was not a title eliminator and that changed when he became the new opponent for Benavidez.

Benavidez, 24-years old, said he has 15 more years to establish his time as an all-time great. Perhaps losing the title twice because of obstacles have prevented Benavidez from standing alone in the division or vying for titles at other weights.

Then, not like now, putting mega fights together was not as difficult with two major promoters, Don King and Bob Arum in control. HBO was the main television network and the alphabet sanctioned organizations were limited to the WBC and WBA. And years progressed as more of this alphabet soup joined the party including the IBF, WBO, to name a few. Though the unified and rare title opportunities are usually put on the table with the Mexico City based WBC.

You can understand why this is called boxing politics. David Benavidez, with the credentials and plowing through opponents in the super middleweight division, deserves this title opportunity and rights to meet Canelo Alvarez. “I know that I don’t have that one-punch knockout power but I’m going to be ready to get you every single round.” Benavidez said after landing 181 of 382 pinches thrown at Davis. But that ability to throw and land body punches have been effective. “I have the most power in the division besides Canelo,” he said. “I have longer arms, as much as speed , possibly even better and as much power, too. I’m Just hungry for this opportunity.”

Hunger is one thing. But the power here will be punches from the Benavidez team as they will petition the WBC this week to make the fight. And for boxing and the super middleweight division, this is a fight that needs to happen.

Alvarez is looking at a ring return in May. That is perfect timing for the new boxing season and King at 168. I beg to differ with those that believe David Benavidez does not deserve the opportunity.