David Benavídez is a boxing prodigy.
The two-time world champion faces dangerous veteran Ronald Ellis in a 12-round WBC super-middleweight title eliminator Saturday, March 13 live on SHOWTIME.
Benavidez (23-0, 20 KOs) is a Phoenix, Arizona native returning to the ring this Saturday following a stoppage victory over Alexis Angulo at the “Fight Sphere” at Mohegan Sun last August.
However, back in September 2018, it was reported that Benavidez had tested positive for cocaine from a urine sample collected on by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA).
Eventually, he was stripped of his title and received a four month-long suspension by the WBC.
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He then reclaimed the WBC 168-pound belt by stopping Anthony Dirrell in the ninth round in September 2019.
Unfortunately, he was stripped again before his first defense against Roamer Alexis Angulo last August because he was 170¾ pounds at the weigh-in; three pounds over the division limit.
Benavidez executed a shutout against Angulo before stopping him in the 10th round. Still, he left the ring without a title.
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“It was definitely a bittersweet victory,” Benavidez said to The Ring. “The one thing I got out of that is I stopped a fighter who had never been stopped, but being upset and going through all that it really disappointed me a lot. But you make mistakes and you learn. I think it motivated me to another level.”
Benavídez turned pro at 16 and captured his first world title at age 20, becoming the youngest 168-pound world champion in history. An undefeated two-time super middleweight champion, Benavídez looks to earn another title opportunity at super middleweight.
“I’ve had an amazing camp in Big Bear and this is the strongest I have ever felt so I’m looking to get an early stoppage against Ellis,” said Benavidez. “I’m glad this is a title eliminator and it’s going to be another step to being a world champion once again.”
With nine of his 20 knockouts coming in the first round, the 24-year-old possesses one of the most devastating arsenals in all of boxing.
The only question remaining this weekend is why Benavidez defeat himself so he can attempt to conquer Ronald Ellis?
