David Benavidez Planning to Put On a Show Against Jose Uzcategui On November 13
David Benavidez (24-0, 21 KOs) feels he’s among the very elite at 168-pounds. A two-time WBC world super middleweight champion, he not only wants to become a three-time world champion, but he also wants the high-profile, big-money fights.
Ranked first by the WBC and fourth by the IBF, he fights the IBF’s fifth-ranked contender and former IBF super middleweight champion, Jose Uzcategui (31-4, 26 KOs), on November 13 at the Footprint Center in Benavidez’s hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. It was originally set to happen on August 24 but was postponed after Benavidez tested positive for COVID-19.
A lot is on the line for what is an IBF and WBC world title eliminator. The winner becomes the IBF and WBC mandatory challenger and is in line to fight the winner of the November 6 unification showdown between unified WBA ‘super’/WBC/WBO 168 pound champ Canelo Alvarez and IBF world belt-holder Caleb Plant.
Benavidez and Uzcategui took part in a virtual press conference with boxing media on October 18to discuss their upcoming fight. The hometown fighter explained that he plans on giving the Phoenix crowd a show and being the first one to stop Uzcategui.
LOOKING TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL
“I’m always looking for a spectacular win, I’m always looking for a spectacular stoppage, which is a spectacular knockout. I feel like this is just the type of fighter I am, this is the type of way I train as well… I know Uzcategui is a strong fighter. I know he’s a powerful fighter.
But he’s never been stopped, and he’s never been stopped for a reason. So, my main objective is going in there and stopping him.
You know it’s not going to be an easy task, but I feel like I’m the best super middleweight in the division right now and I want to show everybody that… I’m going in there trying to knock everybody out.”
Uzcategui was not as bold when talking about what will happen. His only prediction was that the fans will be the winners.
“I’m not going to tell you that I’m looking for a quick knockout or I’m going to stop him or anything like that because David is a strong, young, talented fighter that’s capable of anything, just like I am.
I also provide my own speed, my own talent, my own experience. So, in the end, the winners on November 13 will be the fans, I can guarantee you that. We’re gonna provide a great fight… I promise you I’m going to make the most of my preparation to give the fans what they deserve, and what they’re going to have on November 13.”
EYES ON THE WINNER OF ALVAREZ-PLANT
What they do agree on is that the victor should next fight the winner of Alvarez – Plant. The question becomes: will they? If Alvarez defeats Plant, he seems more interested in fighting either unified IBF/WBC light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev or WBA “super” world 175-pound champ Dmitry Bivol.
When previously asked about David Benavidez, Alvarez didn’t seem interested in facing him. An Alvarez match with Jose Uzcategui doesn’t make financial sense, and would not be of great interest to boxing fans.
A more likely scenario is that the winner would face Caleb Plant, should he defeat Canelo. The IBF champ is not looking to move up in weight anytime soon. Plus, there’s already a heated rivalry between Plant and Benavidez. They don’t like each other and would love to settle their differences in the ring in a big-money fight.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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