On November 25th in Las Vegas, David “El Monstruo” Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) put on a masterclass in boxing when he stopped the previously undefeated Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (32-1, 19 KOs) in the sixth round of their super middleweight main event bout.
Andrade who was chasing fights with the elite in the 154, 160 and 168 pound divisions finally got what he asked for in a chance to take on Benavidez one of the very best in the super middleweight division.
Some say Andrade the former two-division champion bit off more than he can chew and the move up in weight hurt him, but we must give credit to Benavidez for making him look that way in the ring. Andrade’s corner did the right thing and stopped the fight before the start of the seventh round, preventing him from taking more unnecessary damage.
The undefeated Benavidez showcased high stamina, high punch output and a relentless style similar to that of a prime Manny Pacquiao with punches in bunches.
Shortly after his victory, Benavidez told media members he is ready and has always been ready to face Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez, but it seems Canelo has no interest in fighting Benavidez because he had the opportunity multiple times and opted to fight junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo and had him move up to 168 pounds to fight him in his Premier Boxing Champions debut.
“I think I just solidified myself as a dominant force here,” Benavidez said after his victory to Andrade. “I just reminded everyone who the real champion at 168 is. Who wants to see me versus Canelo? I’m going to be super middleweight champion of the world, three-time world champion. Now just give me the fight that we all want to see. Who wants to see Benavidez versus Canelo?”
The ball is in Canelo’s court. Will he continue to fight handpicked opponents and avoid younger and stronger opposition like Benavidez? Canelo avoided a rematch with the last man to defeat him, Dmitry Bivol, and rumors where he wanted to rematch Bivol at 168 pounds instead of 175 pounds where they fought. Bivol would be weight drained and weak just like Canelo likes it. I’m glad Bivol refused that deal and remains focused on unifying the belts at the light heavyweight division.
I think Canelo will avoid Benavidez for now because he sees him as a very difficult opponent who might even knock him out with accumulation of punches. Don’t be shocked if Canelo fights one more homecoming fight in Mexico and then announces his retirement from the sport boxing before stepping in the ring with a monster like David Benavidez.
