Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith worries about David Benavidez getting hurt because he stands in front of his opponents, doesn’t move, and uses no head movement. Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) posts up in front of his opposition and lets his hands go.
(Credit: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions)
Smith’s Worries
WBC interim light heavyweight champion Benavidez could get hurt in his next fight when he goes up against David Morrell on February 1st in their 12-round clash at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
If Benavidez is knocked out in this fight, he will need to decide whether to try to return to 168 or stay at 175 and be content with being a contender rather than a world champion.
Morrell is as big as Benavidez but much stronger, faster, and more technically gifted. He came from the Cuban school of boxing and didn’t learn all the bad habits Benavidez did during his years of fighting against smaller opposition.
Smith is a big fan of Benavidez, and he still seems to have his head wrapped around Canelo Alvarez, who needs to fight him. That fight is not going to happen. They’re in different divisions now, and Canelo is finishing his career at 168 picking and choosing.
Benavidez, 28, has developed a style that has worked for him because he’s been 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 15th, we witnessed Benavidez being 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 huge David Benavidez fan. I love Canelo as well, but I don’t like the fact that Canelo is taking so long to give him a match,” said Stephen A. Smith to the Sean Zittel channel. “I applaud David Benavidez because he ducks no one, 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’s right there in front of them. He doesn’t move, but he clearly shows he can take a punch, and he can damn sure give one with either hand,” continued Smith 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’s 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,” said Smith.
Stephen A. is a casual boxing fan, not the hardcore variety, who follows the sport closely. Hence, he doesn’t realize that Benavidez is no longer in Canelo’s orbit. He also doesn’t seem to be aware that Benavidez never fought against elite-level opposition to earn his ‘Mexican Monster’ nickname in the true sense. He was essentially a weight bully who fought against older, smaller veterans.
The Handshake Incident
“Benavidez messed up by trying to shake his hand. Those Cuban boys, they got a playful attitude, but they really hate when they think somebody thinks they can beat them,” said Coach Greg Hackett on YSM Sports Media, talking about today’s altercation.
After all the things that Benavidez said about Morrell, there was no chance he would 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 on that. We’re going to rumble. All that s*** you was talking about me, and now you want to shake hands?’”
