Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith is concerned that David Benavidez is getting hurt because he stands in front of his opponents, does not move and does not use head movement. Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) posts in front of his opposition and lets go of his hands.
(Credit: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions)
Smith’s concerns
WBC Interim Light Heavyweight Champion Benavidez could get hurt in his next fight when he vs David Morrell on Feb. 1 in their 12-round clash at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
If Benavidez is knocked out in this fight, he will have to decide whether to try to return to 168 or stay at 175 and settle for being a contender rather than a world champion.
Morrell is the same size as Benavidez, but much stronger, faster and more technically gifted. He came from the Cuban boxing school and didn’t pick up all the bad habits that Benavidez did during his years of fighting smaller opposition.
Smith is a big fan of Benavidez, and he still seems to have his head around Canelo Alvarez, who is due to fight him. That fight is not going to happen. They are now in different divisions, and Canelo ends his career at 168 picks and chooses.
Benavidez, 28, developed a style that worked for him because he was bigger than his opponents, fighting in a division below his frame for 11 years at 168 before finally moving up to 175.
In his debut at 175 against Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15, we saw Benavidez get hit frequently. Moving forward, he won’t be able to score knockouts like he did when he fought smaller fighters at 168.
“I’m a big fan of David Benavidez. I love Canelo too, but I don’t like the fact that Canelo is taking so long to give him a match,” Stephen A. Smith told the Sean Zittel channel. “I applaud David Benavidez because he doesn’t dodge anyone, and he’s ready to fight at all times.
“He is ‘The Mexican Monster.’ Sometimes I wonder if someone is going to hurt him because he is right in front of them. He’s not moving, but he’s clearly showing he can punch, and he can damn sure throw one with either hand,” Smith continued about Benavidez.
“He’s got speed, he’s got power, he’s got boxing ability, and he’s got heart. I don’t know if there is a bigger fan of David Benavidez than me. I got a lot of love for his skills, and I want to see him on the big stage,” Smith said.
Stephen A. is a casual boxing fan, not the hardcore variety, who follows the sport closely. That’s why he doesn’t realize that Benavidez is no longer in Canelo’s orbit. He also doesn’t seem aware that Benavidez never fought elite-level opposition to truly earn his ‘Mexican Monster’ moniker. He was essentially a weight bully fighting older, smaller veterans.
The Handshake Incident
“Benavidez messed up trying to shake his hand. Those Cuban boys, they had a playful attitude, but they really hate it when they think somebody thinks they can beat them,” Coach Greg Hackett said. YSM Sports Mediatalk about today’s exchange.
After all the things Benavidez said about Morrell, there was no way he was going to shake his hand during their face-off today in Miami. Benavidez shouldn’t have even tried to shake hands with Morrell because he was asking for trouble.
“When Benavidez walked up to him and tried to shake his hand, he shouldn’t have done that. Morrell was like, ‘No, we’re not with it. We are going to make noise. All that sh*** you talked about me, and now you want to shake hands?’”
