David Benavidez minces no words when speaking of his desire to land a fight with big names like Canelo Alvarez or Jermall Charlo. But Benavidez will first need to deal with former IBF champion Jose Uzcategui on August 28.
David Benavidez, 24-0 with 21 knockouts, is a two-time champion who lost his title both times outside the ring. Benavidez is fighting for the first time in his hometown of Phoenix in more than half a decade.
The boxing match will happen at the city’s Phoenix arena. Showtime will broadcast to fight fans across the globe.
The fight between David Benavidez and Jose Uzcategui is a title eliminator. The winner becomes the mandatory challenger for Canelo Alvarez’s WBC super middleweight championship. Benavidez is unsure whether Canelo will face his mandatory challenge or vacate the WBC title. But the Phoenix native plans to stop Uzcategui to prove he is a worthy challenger to Canelo’s throne.
David Benavidez and Jose Uzcategui were once sparring partners and are familiar with each other. The two fighters are friendly outside the ring, but Benavidez insists that fact will not help Uzategui once the fight starts.
“Every opponent is the same,” Benavidez explains. “I’m gonna knock his ass out.” Benavidez says one of his fight goals is to win the respect of “the fans and my people.”
Benavidez does not blink when reminded that no fighter has been able to defeat Uzcategui by stoppage. “I know it’s not going to be easy,” Benavidez concedes. “I want to be the first one to stop him.”
Benavidez is also expecting Uzcatequi to match his hunger leading up to the fight. “He’s an ex-champion like I’m an ex-champion,” Benavidez explained before adding that the winner will be in a position to become champion again.
The entire undercard for the event is not complete. However, David Benavidez’s older brother, Jose, is expected to fight as part of the event.