Anthony Dirrell Demands His Respect!
Currently, the boxing world is waiting on the edge of their seats for the September 28 showdown between Shawn “Showtime” Porter and Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. Sure, that bout is guaranteed to be a fun, brutal and bloody affair.
Although, the card itself is full of competitive match-ups. For example, the co-main event will pit WBC super middleweight champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell against former champion David “Red Flag” Benavidez.
Said bout could easily be its own headliner!
WHO’S THE MAN?!
Heading into the bout, Benavidez has made it abundantly clear that he feels that is his belt around Dirrell’s waist.
Red Flag was the last owner of the title before being stripped in September of 2018 due to cocaine use. Since he was never defeated in the ring, Benavidez maintains he is the rightful owner.
Although, it’s somewhat funny that Benavidez does not recognize Dirrell as the champion. Similarly, he himself did not beat a champion to acquire the belt. He defeated Ron Gavril to win the loose WBC title when Badou Jack vacated to move up to Light Heavyweight.
Benavidez’s drug failure left the belt up for grabs yet again. The Dog would win the vacant strap over Avni Yildirim on February 23, 2019.
“I mean, I don’t understand why he keeps saying that he don’t think I’m champion. I got the belt, I earned that belt and it’s going to stay home.”
THE OLD DOG GOT MORE TRICKS
The ‘true champion’ dispute aside, another major issue ahead of this fight revolves around age. Many are counting Dirrell out due to his lengthy career and the wear and tear that accompanies his longevity in the sport.
When the Dog turned pro in January 2005, Benavidez was only nine years old.
While there are those who regard this as a handicap, the Flint, Michigan native believes the knowledge that came with that those years will aid him against the younger Benavidez.
The Dog is adamant that mentally, he has more tricks and physically is prepared to topple his youthful foe.
“I mean I’m just an experienced fighter. I been boxing longer than he been born. He twenty-two.
“I’ve been boxing twenty-five years since the amateurs and I got a lot more knowledge than he got […] I’ll bring all that out on September 28.”
Although it’s evident that Dirrell has accepted this public perception that he is being viewed as an old underdog, that doesn’t mean that he cares for it!
This is why when he slips through the ropes for the September 28 reckoning, he will have a little something extra to prove.
At the end of the day, the champion is aiming to retain his title in impressive fashion, as well as demonstrate to the entire boxing world that he has a great deal left to offer.
“Put some respect on my name!”
By: Bakari Simpson
