David Benavidez is going for the knockout… like always
As a fighter, there is a lot to like about former super middleweight champion David “Red Flag” Benavidez (24-0, 21 KO’s). For starters, Red Flag has a take-no-prisoner, straight-forward style of fighting that is very fan friendly and entertaining. Aside from this, Benavidez prides himself on seeking out the best available competition. While a great number of boxers profess this, for far too many, it’s simply lip service and nothing much more. In his next prizefight, on August 28, Red Flag will face the challenge of Jose “Bolivita” Uzcategui (31-4, 26 KO’s).
Keeping in line with his underlying principles, when in against Bolivita, Benavidez is looking for the knockout. As a would-be master hunter, Red Flag realizes that running up on dangerous game in reckless fashion can be deadly. Bearing this in mind, while speaking fight FightHype, the ambitious Arizonian understands that he must be on his P’s and Q’s when attempting to lay Jose Uzcategui low.
“Yeah, I definitely think I can hurt him because I know I can hurt anybody. Anybody that I’ve been in the ring with I’ve hurt before, but it goes the same on both sides. You know, I’m not going in there being ignorant enough that I can’t be hurt because he has a lot of power too. So I have to do everything right. But I feel like, if I follow my game plan and do everything right, there’s an opportunity to stop Uzcategui.”
“It’s not going to be an easy task, obviously because no one has ever done it. But if I believe in my skills and I want to be the fighter with the respect that I want from everybody, not only in the boxing world but from all the fighters too, this is what has to be done. It’s a tough task to do but I am all up for it…I’m going for the stoppage, I’m going for the knockout just like he is going for the stoppage and he is going for the knockout.”
WHAT THINGS MAY BE
If victorious over Bolivita, there is no question that he would love to fight for a title. With his current ranking of #1 (WBC), #2 (WBA) and #6 (IBF), challenging for a title is far from a pipe dream. Obviously, his best shot is at WBA Super, WBO and WBC World super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Armed with his #1 WBC standing, Red Flag stands as the redhead’s mandatory challenger. Benavidez would love the opportunity to toss the celebrated Mexican champion a beating.
There is even the added back story that some say Canelo has Benavidez’s belt. As the former WBC super middleweight champion, Red Flag never lost his title in the ring. Instead, he was stripped of his title when he failed to make weight against Roamer Angulo. Having lost his belt in this fashion, many view him as still being the unofficial WBC champion. In the end, Red Flag doesn’t care what avenue leads to the lucrative showdown.
Whether it be as the mandatory, to settle the belt dispute or simply because he wants a good fight, it doesn’t matter. Benavidez just wants his shot at Canelo and greater glory in the sport. Yet, before he can think about those grander objectives, Red Flag must first get past Jose Uzcategui. Luckily for him and us, we don’t have long to wait until their August 28 fight date!
By: Bakari Simpson
