Not lengthy to go now till tonight’s doubtlessly explosive card in Las Vegas. Tank Davis will in fact get it on with Frank Martin, whereas up at 175 kilos, having transfer there, “Mexican Monster” David Benavidez will face battle-hardened veteran, former WBC champ Oleksandr Gvozdyk. And a few followers see the sunshine heavyweight struggle because the attainable struggle of the evening at The MGM Grand.
One man who all of us take heed to when he speaks all issues boxing, Teddy Atlas, goes additional than that – Atlas is choosing 37 12 months previous Gvozdyk to upset 27 12 months previous Benavidez. Talking with Seconds Out, Atlas says he has nothing however respect for Benavidez, 28-0(24), however that he thinks he can be “picked aside” by Gvozdyk, 20-1(16) tonight.
“Gvozdyk is simply too quick and too sensible, he’s elusive and he’ll counter the heck out of him. He’ll choose him aside after which again him up late. Individuals can be shocked,” Atlas mentioned when making his pre-fight prediction. “I like Benavidez. I like what he represents. I like the best way he fights, the best way he behaves, he’s not afraid to place that on the road in opposition to anyone, I really like that – however I believe he will get beat by Gvozdyk.”
It might be an enormous blow for Benavidez if he did lose tonight. Together with his star enchantment rising, Benavidez could possibly be on the verge of going so far as being one of many faces of boxing. A loss to Gvozdyk, and any discuss of tremendous fights with the likes of Canelo – who Benavidez has, as we all know, been calling out for months and months – would take an actual hit. However is Atlas proper on this one?
Gvozdyk has received three on the spin since being stopped by Artur Beterbiev in October of 2019, and Gvozdyk stopped Isaac Rodrigues final day trip, this in September of final 12 months. How a lot has Gvozdyk bought left at age 37, and may “The Nail” nonetheless take an amazing shot? Benavidez is in search of the KO, as he at all times is, and there can be some bombs thrown.
However Atlas makes an attention-grabbing level, possibly, when he says Ukrainian Gvozdyk is “too sensible” for Benavidez. How may Gvozdyk’s counter punches have an effect on the youthful, extra naturally aggressive man?
This struggle guarantees to be very, very attention-grabbing. And maybe key within the ongoing profession of Benavidez.
For what it’s price, I believe Atlas has bought this one flawed: Benavidez to grind out a late stoppage win over Gvozdyk.
