Demetrius Andrade’s nook had seen sufficient after six rounds of harm from David Benavidez (left) in November 2023. (Picture by David Becker/Getty Pictures)
Former two-time tremendous middleweight titlist David Benavidez had lengthy courted a combat with boxing famous person Canelo Alvarez. Nonetheless, when that failed to come back to move, the American elected to leap up in weight looking for new challenges.
On Saturday, he’ll embark on the subsequent fase of his profession when he faces former WBC gentle heavyweight titlist Oleksandr Gvozdyk in a combat at 175 kilos on the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.
Benavidez-Gvozdyk will co-headline the cardboard alongside Gervonta Davis-Frank Martin on Amazon Prime at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT.
Benavidez, rated at No. 1 by The Ring at tremendous middleweight, is an offensive beast; bodily imposing with spectacular energy. He turned the youngest fighter to win a brilliant middleweight world title when he edged previous Ronald Gavril (SD 12) to gather the WBC title. He beat Gavril (UD 12) far more comprehensively in a rematch. The Arizona native was busted for cocaine use and stripped of the title. Benavidez impressively regained the belt from Anthony Dirrell (TKO 9). Nonetheless, missed weight in his first protection and misplaced the belt on the scale.
The 27-year-old has fought 5 instances since, notably demolishing former middleweight titlist David Lemieux (TKO 3), arch-rival Caleb Plant (UD 12) and, most just lately, Demetrius Andrade (TKO 6).
Gvozdyk, rated at No. 7 by The Ring at gentle heavyweight, was a standout newbie and claimed a bronze on the 2012 Olympics as a part of the Ukrainian dream crew alongside Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko. As knowledgeable, he impressively beat Nadjib Mohammedi (KO 2), Isaac Chilemba (RTD 8) and Yunieski Gonzalez (TKO 3) en path to unseating WBC titleholder Adonis Stevenson (KO 11). “Nail” made one protection earlier than dropping a unification match as much as Artur Beterbiev (TKO 10).
The 37-year-old retired for over three-years earlier than returning final 12 months with three wins, whereas ready for one thing extra vital to come back alongside.
Benavidez (28-0, 24 knockouts) has been busting on the appears for some time making 168-pounds. He ought to fill out properly into the brand new weight however he’s dealing with a pure gentle heavyweight, who can field and punch with equal measure. May that trigger him a difficulty within the combat? Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KOs) has knocked off any ring rust he could have had from his layoff however is now in with a youthful, brisker fighter. Can he roll again the years? Benavidez is arguably dealing with his hardest problem to this point, how will he cope with the boxing expertise of the Ukrainian? How will Gvozdyk cope with Benavidez spectacular work price, can he discover a manner too sluggish him down?
On-line playing group William Hill lists Benavidez as an 1/6 (-600) favourite, whereas Gvozdyk is priced at 4/1 (+400); the draw is 16/1 (+1600).
Right here’s how the consultants see it:
THE RING
DOUG FISCHER: BENAVIDEZ UD
“It’s an attention-grabbing fashion conflict between a passionate strain fighter/quantity puncher and the consummate boxer-technician. I’m going with the youth on this matchup. I believe Gvozdyk will field properly early on and present grit underneath fireplace within the center rounds — and he’ll have his offensive moments — however I believe Benavidez’s strain will get to him within the late rounds. I believe the judges will reward the youthful man’s aggression and better punch output, however it will likely be a aggressive combat.”
ANSON WAINWRIGHT: BENAVIDEZ TKO 10
“Benavidez obtained fed up with ready for his shot at Canelo so moved as much as gentle heavyweight, and this isn’t taking a tune-up. Gvozdyk is a severe opponent, somebody who has beforehand been a champion at 175-pounds. That mentioned Benavidez was struggling to make 168-pounds and I anticipate him to go well with the brand new weight. Gvozdyk is a wonderful boxer and will give Benavidez hassle early, nevertheless, because the rounds move I think Benavidez spectacular work price will start to tire out Gvozdyk and can ultimately get to him in round 9 or ten rounds.”
DIEGO MORILLA: GVOZDYK UD
“I’m not certain that is the perfect match for Benavidez’s debut at 175. Pretty much as good as he’s, and as a lot as he’s in his prime, I’ve the sensation that this matchup is all incorrect for him. I’m going with a intestine feeling right here, but it surely received’t be the primary time Gvozdyk has defeated a high prospect on the rise, and Benavidez has appeared overconfident in too many cases. If he makes that mistake once more on this combat, the (minor) upset will certainly materialize. I wouldn’t guess my lease cash on this, however I would be the least stunned observer if Gvozdyk pulls it off. Gvozdyk by 12-round unanimous resolution.”
MARTIN MULCAHY: BENAVIDEZ UD
“I take pleasure in watching Oleksandr Gvozdyk go about his work (a B-level Golovkin or Canelo), and he confirmed in a decent loss to Beterbiev that he can hold with the elite within the division. Has that nice Japanese European mixture of newbie pedigree {and professional} knockout energy, however could have left it late to show professional and is now a slowing 37-year-old. The issue is that every part Gvozdyk does properly, David Benavidez does higher and sooner. This duo actually is a mirror picture of one another by way of skillsets and measurement, so I’ve to again the presently sharper and 10-year youthful Benavidez. That is nearer to a 60-40 combat than 75-25 some think about, and I can see Gvozdyk sweeping the primary three rounds if Benavidez has one among his sluggish begins. Nonetheless, Benavidez quickly finds the vary and timing to unsettle Gvozdyk then settling in to comfortably sweep the late rounds for a unanimous resolution win. A late knockdown will seal the deal at round 116-111 on all playing cards.”
MICHAEL MONTERO: BENAVIDEZ PTS
“On the floor, Gvozdyk is the perfect opponent that Benavidez has confronted by far. Nonetheless, after a brutal knockout loss to Artur Beterbiev in 2019, Gvozdyk spent greater than three years out of the ring. Since his return final 12 months, Gvozdyk is 3-0 however towards very restricted opposition. Additional, the Ukrainian is sort of a decade older than the American. And I acknowledge that Benavidez is transferring up in weight right here, however I really imagine that can serve him properly. He’ll be much more sturdy at 175-pounds for my part. I like Benavidez to win this combat on factors after some early success from the veteran.”
NORM FRAUENHEIM: BENAVIDEZ TKO 11
“Benavidez enters his prime and maybe his future, which means a step past years of frustrating hypothesis a few date with Canelo Alvarez. Welcome to the sunshine heavyweight division. It’s a step up the dimensions that eliminates benefits that led followers and media to calling Benavidez a “weight bully.” Veteran light-heavyweight Oleksandr Gvozdyk is about the identical top. Each are listed at 6-feet-2. The Ukrainian has a one-inch benefit in attain. However the measurables don’t account for every part. At 27, the bully remains to be elementary to Benavidez’ ring persona. He has a imply streak, one which turns into evident and punishingly efficient over the second half of fights. Count on him to exert it over again for a late-round stoppage of the 37-year-old Gvozdyk.”
BOXING INSIDERS
DUKE MCKENZIE (FORMER THREE-DIVISION TITLEHOLDER/TV ANALYST): BENAVIDEZ TKO 8
“Ultimately Benavidez has determined to maneuver up in weight to marketing campaign within the gentle heavyweight division. Had he stayed at tremendous middleweight, I’m certain the load would have crushed him not essentially the opponent, albeit probably Canelo, the good. Benavidez’s transfer to gentle heavyweight appears like a really clever transfer. The larger image is a luxurious combat between the winner of the unification combat between Bivol and Beterbiev. One can not wait to see the end result of that combat after which doubtlessly if Benavidez is profitable in his upcoming combat he then will likely be in place to combat the winner. I can not see Benavidez slipping up, he’ll clearly need to make a press release and I believe he will likely be on the lookout for a TKO victory in about 8-rounds.”
TOM GRAY (FORMER MANAGING EDITOR FOR THE RING): BENAVIDEZ TKO 11
“I’m an enormous fan of Gvozdyk and he’s nonetheless a terrific fighter, however I don’t suppose the three fights he’s had since his comeback may have adequately ready him for an opponent of Benavidez’s high quality. The tempo and the relentless assault will likely be an excessive amount of for the Ukrainian star who will fall simply in need of the end line. The ten-year age hole can’t be ignored on this matchup.”
STEVE KIM (THE 3 KNOCKDOWN RULE): BENAVIDEZ KO 10
“Though David is lastly transferring up in weight, and ‘the Nail’ is the pure 175-pounder, I believe going as much as gentle heavyweight will serve Benavidez properly. Additionally, Gvozdyk is a little bit of an unknown right here. Gimme the youthful, brisker man in Benavidez, to attain a tenth spherical KO.”
JOE ROTONDA (MATCHMAKER, MAIN EVENTS): BENAVIDEZ TKO
“These are two of the perfect on this division, and David Benavidez is on the verge of changing into one of many greatest stars within the sport if he retains up his successful methods. Gvozdyk is a former world champion and is accountable for dethroning the longtime reigning champion Adonis Stevenson. Gvozdyk is a superb fighter, he is superb technically, is aware of methods to use his jab, and may beat anybody at 175-pounds on his finest day. Nonetheless, the final time he had a aggressive combat was in 2019. Since then, Benavidez has steamrolled Demetrious Andrade and Caleb Plant with ease. I’m going with David Benavidez right here, I believe the combat will likely be aggressive early, however Benavidez will likely be an excessive amount of for him later within the combat. David Benavidez by stoppage win.”
Oleksandr Gvozdyk (left) defeats Medhi Amar (proper) of their gentle heavyweight litle combat at The Hulu Theatre at Madison Sq. Backyard on March 17, 2018 in New York Metropolis – Picture by Invoice Tompkins/Getty Pictures
ROBERTO DIAZ (MATCHMAKER): BENAVIDEZ UD
“For David, an enormous danger and particularly if the Canelo combat is shut and risking the payoff. In a very good combat, with back-and-forth motion, Benavidez proves to be the brisker and extra motion fighter. Benavidez wins by 12-round unanimous resolution in his 175-pound debut.”
RICH MAROTTA (COMMENTATOR): BENAVIDEZ
“There will likely be loads of motion between Benavidez and Gvozdyk however after a number of rounds it’s gonna be all one-way site visitors. Gvozdyk was as soon as a better-than-average fighter, a very good sharpshooter with wonderful counter-punching means. Nonetheless, it could take much more than that now to beat David, who’s flat out in his prime, and on the ascendancy. Benavidez is on a mission, and he’s proving himself with each outing. As soon as he will get these eye-catching, multi-punch combos going, his opponents crumble. And that would be the case on this combat too.”
JOLENE MIZZONE (MANAGER): BENAVIDEZ TKO 10
“Benavidez does superb with guys proper in entrance of him and I believe Gvozdyk is tailor made for him. With Benavidez going up in weight, we are going to all see if the ability remains to be there. I wouldn’t be stunned if there’s a hydrate clause within the contract, which might profit Benavidez. Additionally, Benavidez competitors recently has been worlds forward of Gvozdyk’s.”
CAMILLE ESTEPHAN (PROMOTER, EYE OF THE TIGER): BENAVIDEZ TKO
“Benavidez, at solely 27, I imagine remains to be coming into his personal, as properly transferring up in divisions will give him the benefit, he has the body for a light-weight heavyweight, therefore I anticipate him to take care of his energy. Gvozdyk was inactive for therefore a few years after which combating mid-opposition for the final three fights may be an enormous issue. I see this one being shut early however within the second half of the bout I see Benavidez dominating. I may see Benavidez stopping Gvozdyk within the final two or three rounds.”
ERIC BOTTJER (MATCHMAKER): BENAVIDEZ TKO
“David has the appears of a possible nice. I’m informed he’s a particularly hard-worker – regardless of his earlier youthful transgressions, he desires it. His means to deal out punishment within the Caleb Plant combat was astonishing (as was Plant’s means to take it). Gvozdyk is an ideal opponent for Benavidez at this stage – he’s greater and higher than Plant, however he’s not ok to beat Benavidez. I like Benavidez by late-round stoppage.”
MATTHEW MACKLIN (FORMER WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER/ COMMENTATOR): BENAVIDEZ
“I believe Benavidez beats Gvozdyk. Too good, too recent. The timing fits Benavidez.”
BOB SANTOS (TRAINER): BENAVIDEZ PTS
“I believe Benavidez goes to shock individuals with an important jab and much better body-punching. Benavidez on factors.”
WAYNE MCCULLOUGH (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/ TRAINER):
“Gvozdyk must power Benavidez backwards to have an opportunity of beating him. If he can try this with a quantity of punches, he may have an opportunity of successful. Benavidez will even need to push Gvozdyk backwards to get the win with combos of punches to go and physique. Gvozdyk has a very good straight proper to the top that might find yourself being an efficient punch for him however I believe Benavidez will set a quick tempo and land onerous hooks to the top and physique of Gvozdyk and him forcing a stoppage across the center of the combat.”
RUDY HERNANDEZ (TRAINER): BENAVIDEZ TKO
“Benavidez is transferring up from tremendous middleweight division as a result of the primary man, Canelo Alvarez, has a busy schedule that doesn’t embrace him – a minimum of not this 12 months or perhaps subsequent. For the file, I’m joyful for Canelo, he’s doing what’s finest for him and never being pushed by anybody however himself. Benavidez is a really entertaining fighter, he reveals up, lets these arms go in bunches. Gvozdyk had his moments with one among my favourite fighters at the moment, Beterbiev. Gvozdyk made the error of taking a number of years off. He’s now in his late 30s. I don’t suppose he’ll be as aggressive with Benavidez as he was with Beterbiev. Benavidez is on a mission and stayed busy not sitting round ready for the massive combat we’d all prefer to see. I’m selecting Benavidez by late stoppage.”
TONY SIMS (TRAINER): BENAVIDEZ PTS
“I believe the combat between Benavidez-Gvozdyk is a troublesome combat for each. Gvozdyk was up on factors towards Beterbiev earlier than getting stopped late. I really feel Benavidez is a particular fighter and can win on factors.”
MARC RAMSAY (TRAINER): BENAVIDEZ TKO 9
“On paper, this looks like good combat, however I believe that the 3-year layoff after Beterbiev’s final combat and the truth that he’s now 37 ought to play towards him. I can see the identical fashion of combat that Gvozdyk delivered towards Beterbiev. He may be technically dominant within the first few rounds, however the fixed strain and the bodily energy of Benavidez ought to ultimately break Gvozdyk down. Benavidez TKO 9.”
Remaining Tally: Benavidez 20-1
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