David Benavidez Looking to Beat Down Dirrell
Without question, David “Red Flag” Benavidez (21-0, 18 KO’s) is aching to hop in the ring on September 28 to face Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (33-1-1, 24 KO’s). Their co-main event showdown will determine the fate of Dirrell’s WBC world super middleweight title. Even though the strap is currently in the Dog’s possession, Benavidez wholeheartedly believes it’s still his. The young fighter was the owner of the belt until being stripped in the last quarter of 2018. An adverse drug test was the catalyst for him losing his coveted trinket.
Even though Red Flag thinks of himself as a champion, this does not mean that he is taking Dirrell lightly. If anything, it’s quite the opposite. Not only is the native Arizonan treating the Dog like a champion, he is preparing for Dirrell to be his toughest adversary to date. The upcoming challenge is something that Benavidez is looking forward to.
“You know what, out of all the higher caliber opponents that I’ve fought he’s probably one of the best ones, so I’m not taking him lightly at all. I’m very motivated, but also I’m very confident going in there. I’m working very hard in the gym, so I can’t wait to get it on.” ~David Benavidez
MAKING HISTORY
When Benavidez initially captured the strap on September 8, 2017, he became the youngest super middleweight champion in history. Ironically, if he topples Dirrell in September, he will become the youngest two-time world super middleweight champion in history. This has provided him with a good measure of motivation. Aside from making history yet again, Benavidez is eager to lift the belt off of a certified champion.
“Of course, you know but I am coming in with all the confidence of a champion, but it’s going to be even sweeter now that I can go in and take it from a champion like Anthony Dirrell. You know so, I feel like it’s better to win a title from a champion than to win it vacant so I have a great opportunity in front of me […] he’s a champion going in, you can’t go in taking the champion lightly, you know. He’s a champion for a reason. He’s been in the game for about ten or twelve years, or probably even more, you know. I got to be on my toes, I got to expect the best Anthony Dirrell on September 28.” ~David Benavidez
Although, the level of respect shown in and out of the ring are two vastly different things! Once encased inside the ropes, Benavidez has every intention on putting a severe hurting on the veteran Dirrell. Like all fighters, the former world champion would love to secure the win by definitive knockout. However, stopping Dirrell is not his focus.
“If I can knock him out, that’s always a game plan. You know I’m always looking for the knockout, but I’m not going to go in there reckless looking for the knockout, trying to knock him out with one punch. I’m going to set the shots up, set the traps up. If he gets knocked out, he gets knocked out, but my goal ultimately is beating him up. If I don’t knock him out, I got to give him a beating.” ~David Benavidez
By: Bakari Simpson
