Anthony David Benavidez (born December 17, 1996) is an American professional boxer. He is a three-time WBC super middleweight champion, having held the title from 2017 to 2018 and again from 2019 to 2020. Claiming his first belt at 20 years, eight months, three weeks and one day old, Benavidez holds the record as the youngest super middleweight title holder in history. He is ranked second by The Ring,^[3] second by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board,^[4] and fourth by BoxRec.^[5]

Early life

David was born to a Mexican father and an Ecuadorian mother. His older brother, José Benavidez Jr., is also a professional boxer who held the WBA Welterweight title. Both brothers are trained by their father. When he was 15, Benavidez's weight ballooned to 250 pounds, as he struggled with dieting and discipline.^[6]

Amateur career

Benavidez, who started boxing at the age of three, had an amateur record of 15–0.^[7]

Professional career

Early career

Benavidez made his pro debut at the age of 16, defeating Erasmo Moreno by knockout in one round in Puerto Peñasco. Benavidez won the NABF Junior light heavyweight title, his first belt, against Rollin Williams in April 2015. At the end of 2015, Benavidez had a record of 12 wins, with 11 stoppages and no losses. In October 2015, Benavidez signed a promotional deal with Sampson Lewkowicz's Sampson Boxing.^[8]

On January 7, 2016, it was announced that Benavidez would start the year against Kevin Cobbs (10–1, 4 KOs) on a Fox Sports 1 edition of PBC Toe-To-Toe Tuesdays on January 18 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles.^[9] Prior to the fight, Cobbs was on a 4-fight win streak. Benavidez started the contest quickly and kept Cobbs at a distance. He rocked Cobbs in round 2 on two occasions. After a few clinches, Benavidez hit Cobbs with a flurry of punches, prompting the referee to stop the fight at 1:08 of round 2.^[10] Benavidez next fought on April 30 on the undercard of Victor Ortiz vs. Andre Berto II at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. His opponent was Phillip Jackson Benson. Jackson was stopped in round 2 after being hurt many times in the opening round. The fight was scheduled for 8 rounds.^[11]

Benavidez would next take part on the undercard of the welterweight world title bout Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter, which was rescheduled to take place on June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, against Francy Ntetu (16–0, 3 KOs) in an 8-round bout.^[12] In an entertaining fight, where both boxers traded, Benavidez won the fight via round 7 TKO. Benavidez seemed to get the better of the trades with Ntetu resorting to clinching by the end of round 2. After 1 minute and 30 seconds of round 7, the crowd booed as referee Shada Murdaugh stopped the fight due to the amount of punishment Ntetu had taken. It was noted that Barry Jordan, a NYSAC doctor, had taken a look at Ntetu and likely would have played a role. Benavidez led 58–56, 58–56 and 59–55 on the judges scorecards at the time of stoppage. Jordon later explained that it was upon his recommendation that the bout be stopped as Ntetu had taken a lot of punishment, mostly to the eye.^[13][14] In July 2015, PBC announced Benavidez would next fight on ESPN against contender Denis Douglin (20-4, 13 KOs) in his first 10-round bout on August 5 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.^[15][16] Benavidez was taken to the tenth round but avoided hearing the final bell after stopping Douglin 35 seconds into the round. Benavidez simply broke down Douglin over the course of the fight. The referee stopped the fight as Douglin had taken punishment against the ropes.^[17][18]

Benavidez's first bout of 2017 took place on January 28 on the Carl Frampton vs. Léo Santa Cruz II undercard at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada, against fellow prospect Sherali Mamajonov (14–1, 7 KOs). Benavidez started the fight cautiously before unloading heavy shots that dropped Mamajonov before the end of round 1. At the start of round 2, Benavidez continued to land flash combinations and eventually dropped Mamajanov again. He beat the count, but referee Russell Mora stopped the fight because he appeared to be badly hurt. Benavidez spoke about the win after the fight, "I am a little disappointed because I wanted to give the crowd a spectacular knockout. This is my first time fighting at MGM Grand and I will never forget it. The atmosphere here is amazing. This fight week has been the best experience of my life. I want to continue to fight as much as I can. I want to perfect my craft, train as hard as I can and be the best that I can be."^[19][20]

On March 24, 2017, it was announced that WBC agreed to sanction Benavidez against former world title challenger Rogelio Medina (37–7, 31 KOs) for the #2 mandatory spot on May 20 at the Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas.^[21][22] Benavidez knocked down Medina three times before the referee waved the fight off in round 8, giving Benavidez the win. Benavidez was considered one of the top prospects at super middleweight.^[23][24]

First reign as WBC super middleweight champion

Benavidez vs. Gavril

Following his draw against James DeGale, Badou Jack vacated his WBC super middleweight title in order to fight at light heavyweight. The WBC ordered a match between Callum Smith and Anthony Dirrell, with the winner taking the vacant world title. With Smith taking part in WBSS, he was replaced through Benavidez. The bout was scheduled for September 2017.^[25][26] However, on August 5, the WBC announced Dirrell was out due to injury. Instead, Benavidez would face Romanian contender Ronald Gavril (18-1, 14 KOs) on September 8 for the world title at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Nevada.^[27] Benavidez defeated Gavril after 12 rounds by split decision. Two judges scored the fight 117–111, 116–111 for Benavidez, whilst the third scored it 116–111 for Gavril. However, Gavril proved to be Benavidez's toughest test so far, with most rounds being closely contested. Benavidez seemed to struggle with conditioning and was knocked down in the final round. Speaking on his record-breaking win, Benavidez said, “It feels amazing to win this title. It’s everything I’ve dreamed about since I was a little kid. It’s everything I’ve dedicated myself to and I’ve worked hard for. It finally paid off.” According to CompuBox stats, Benavidez landed 222 of 863 punches thrown (26%) and Gavril landed 162 of his 817 thrown (20%).^[28][29]

Benavidez vs. Gavril II

Immediately after the first bout, rematch talks began. Gavril thought he won the first bout and disputed the decision. Benavidez's promoter Sampson Promotions confirmed on October 2, 2017, that negotiations had begun with Mayweather Promotions for a rematch to take place in January 2018.^[30] Benavidez stated he wanted to take the rematch to remove all doubt and set the record straight.^[31] In December 2017, a deal was close to being finalized for the rematch to take place on the undercard of Danny García vs. Brandon Ríos on Showtime on February 17, 2018.^[32] The deal was done a few days later with the bout taking place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Paradise, Nevada.^[33][34] In front of 6,240 fans, Benavidez dominated every round, winning via unanimous decision with the scores 120–108, 120–108 and 119–109. ESPN.com scored it a shutout 120-108 for Benavidez. he used different angles a variety of head and body shots throughout the fight leaving no doubt. Before round 11, the ringside doctor took a look at Gavril but allowed him to continue. For every one shot Gavril landed, Benavidez replied with fast combinations. Benavidez reduced the number of shots he threw in the final round, which allowed Gavril to give him some, but little trouble. After the fight, Benavidez said, "I knew he was going to come in aggressive. He's a one trick type of pony. He don't know how to do anything but pressure. I used that to my advantage -- jab, box him all day and when I saw the opening I took it. I didn't knock him out but he's a tough son of a gun." Punch stats showed that Benavidez landed 315 of 942 punches thrown (37%) and Gavril landed 176 of his 757 thrown (23%). For the bout, Benavidez earned $400,000 to Gavril's $125,000 purse.^[35][36] The fight averaged 458,000 viewers and peaked at 489,000 viewers.^[37]

Positive drug test, suspension, and title dispossession

On September 18, 2018, it was reported that Benavidez had tested positive for cocaine from a urine sample collected on August 27 by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA).^[38] He was eventually stripped of his title and received a four months-long suspension through February 2019 by the WBC.^[39] On 19 December 2018, it was announced that he would be returning to the ring on March 16.^[39]

Benavidez vs. Love

Five and a half months after being stripped of his (WBC) title, Benavidez faced American boxer J'Leon Love on Mar 16, 2019 at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S. and made relatively short work of him by knocking him out in the second round of their scheduled 10-round bout.

Second reign as WBC super middleweight champion

Benavidez vs. Dirrell

According to sources in Mexico back on May 17, 2018, before the Mexican Monster was stripped of his world champion status, a deal was close to being reached for Benavidez to defend his WBC title against Russian boxer Matt Korobov (28–1, 14 KOs) on the Mikey Garcia vs. Robert Easter Jr. lightweight unification under-card on July 28 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.^[40] On May 23, Top Rank's Bob Arum revealed he signed Benavidez to his stable and given him a signing bonus of $250,000. Upon the signing, Sampson Lewkowicz filed a lawsuit. According to Lewkowicz, Benavidez signed an extension with his company in November 2017, which extended his contract until 2021.^[41] By June 13, the suit was settled and Benavidez returned the signing bonus to Top Rank.^[42][43][44] On June 21, it was reported a deal had been reached for Benavidez to defend his WBC title against mandatory challenger Anthony Dirrell (32–1–1, 24 KOs). The fight was ordered by the WBC on May 21 and scheduled purse bids were due on June 22. A deal was reached on June 21. The fight was reported to take place on the same card as Shawn Porter vs. Danny García on Showtime on September 8.^[45][46]

The bout between the two combatants would ultimately be pushed back an entire year later, with Benvadiz scoring a win against J'Leon Love and Direll becoming the new WBC super-middleweight title holder by defeating the WBC's then-ranked #2 super-middleweight contender Avni Yıldırım.^[47] And finally on Sep 28, 2019, at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S., Benavidez and Direll found themselves at opposite ends of the ring.

And after 9 round of Benavidez pressuring, bloodying, and battering his opposition, Direll's corner threw in the towel. Thus granting Benavidez his 22nd victory and once again ownership of the WBC super-middleweight title.

Title dispossession (II)

Benavidez vs. Angulo

On August 15, 2020, Benavidez fought Roamer Alexis Angulo. Benavidez weighed in over the super middleweight limit during the weigh in, and was stripped of his title yet again. Benavidez dominated Angulo in a one-sided bout, which culminated in a tenth-round stoppage, after Benavidez unloaded a barrage of shots on Angulo.^[48]

Benavidez vs. Ellis

On March 13, 2021, Benavidez fought Ronald Ellis. Ellis was ranked #8 by the WBC at super middleweight. Benavidez stopped Ellis in the eleventh round via technical knockout.^[49]

Benavidez vs. Davis

On July 14, 2021, Showtime announced that Benavidez was scheduled for an August 28 bout against former titlist José Uzcátegui at the Phoenix Suns Arena.^[50] However, on October 28, Uzcátegui was pulled from the fight due to failing a drug test, and was replaced by Kyrone Davis ^[51] who he would go on to defeat by way of technical knock out in the 7th round of their scheduled 10-round bout.

WBC Interim super-middleweight champion

Benavidez vs. Lemieux

Benavidez faced former IBF middleweight champion David Lemieux on May 21, 2022, for the vacant WBC interim super middleweight title. Benavidez dominated the fight, dropping Lemieux hard in round 2 and scoring a stoppage in round 3 after a brutal assault.^[52]

Benavidez vs. Plant

On January 25, 2023, it was announced that Benavidez would be making the first defense of his WBC interim super middleweight title against former IBF world champion, Caleb Plant. The fight took place on Showtime PPV on March 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.^[53] On the night, Benavidez started slow, before relentlessly pressuring Plant in the second half of the fight with power punches to break down his opponent and win a unanimous decision, with judges' scorecards of 117–111, 116–112 and 115–113. Despite the pre-fight animosity between the two fighters, Benavidez gave credit to Plant, stating in his post-fight interview: "I wanna shout out Caleb Plant. I know there was a lot said between us, but in the end we settled this like men. He’s a helluva fighter."^[54] The victory meant that Benavidez retained his undefeated record and his position as the WBC's mandatory challenger for the undisputed super middleweight champion, Canelo Álvarez. He expressed his desire to face Álvarez in the post-fight press conference.^[55]

Benavidez vs. Andrade

Marking the second defense of his WBC interim super-middleweight title, Benavidez clashed with southpaw phenom and former WBO champion in the light-middleweight and middleweight divisions Demetrius "Boo Boo" Andrade on Nov 25, 2023 at the Michelob Ultra Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.

Andrade made a good account of himself by firing back as often and as much as he could against Benavidez's signature forward-pressure. However, even with Andrade's slick maneuvering and angle management, Benavidez's rapid-fire shots and combinations still managed to find their mark and rattle the southpaw's jaw and temple more often than not. And after suffering six rounds of accumulated damage, Andrade did not come out of his corner for the seventh round, thus making Benavidez the winner of their bout by way of sixth round stoppage.

Professional boxing record