Thursday, October 31

Teddy Atlas warns David Benavídez about the dangerous Oleksandr Gvozdyk: “He is going to be defeated”

Avatar of Kleberly Mendoza

By Kleberly Mendoza

Jun 12, 2024, 18:00 PM EDT

Coach Teddy Atlas warned David Benavídez about the danger and risk you take when facing a qualified fighter like Oleksandr Gvozdyk in his 175-pound debut this Saturday, June 15 in Las Vegas.

In an interview with Maxboxing, Atlas praised Benavídez’s determination to face anyone and for wanting to conquer a new division, but believes that Gvozdyk’s skills are superior to those of the Mexican Monster and He assured that he will lose to the Ukrainian.

“He faces anyone who comes in front of him, believes in himself. In boxing he is a guy who fights with a nice style, a very physical style. He mixes it with technique. He goes beyond what he does in the ring. There is a sense of legacy to it. He really wants to leave his mark and his legacy in boxing. That’s what he’s looking for with these challenges. He believes he will beat Gvozdyk, and then look to fight the winner of Bivol and Beterbiev. But I don’t know if Benavídez is aware or if he cares about the risk he is taking”, said.

Oleksandr Gvozdyk is an Olympic medalist and has only been defeated once in his career. Photo Courtesy: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions.

“He is going to face a guy who counterpunches his opponent’s counterpunches. A guy who can use his legs, come in at angles and set traps. Gvozdyk It’s not just good technique. People don’t realize how tough Gvozdyk is. He is fast and intelligent, very elusive. He is going to figure out Benavídez and throw him back. People are going to be surprised. I like Benavídez, the way he fights, and the way he behaves, he is not afraid to put everything on the line against whoever he is, but I think he is going to be defeated by Gvozdyk,” he concluded.

David Benavídez and Oleksandr Gvozdyk will star in the co-feature fight of the card that will be headlined by the fight between Gervonta Davis and Frank Martin for the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight world championship at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The Mexican Monster has shown a lot of confidence and has assured that he will knock out the Ukrainian. If he beats him and wins the interim belt of the World Boxing Council (WBC) he could get the opportunity to face the winner of the fight for the undisputed 175-pound championship between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev on October 12.

David Benavídez and Oleksandr Gvozdyk in their first face to face prior to their fight on June 15. Photo Courtesy: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions.

For three years, Benavídez, official challenger for the WBC at super middleweight, has sought in every possible way to get the fight with Canelo Álvarez. Although fans and many sports experts would like to see this great fight, the man from Guadalajara has not shown real interest and that is why the Mexican-American decided to try his luck at 175 poundsbut assures that he will continue competing at 168.

David Benavídez, interim WBC super middleweight champion, defeated Demetrius Andrade by technical knockout in the sixth round and will now debut at 175 pounds. The Mexican Monster He has a record of 28 wins, 24 of them on the fast track and no setbacks as a professional.

For his part, Oleksandr Gvozdyk, 36, is a former light heavyweight champion who has just defeated Isaac Rodríguez last September. The Ukrainian has a record of 20 victories (16 by knockout) and one defeat.

Keep reading:
· David Benavídez feels stronger at 175 and hopes to knock out Oleksandr Gvozdyk: “100% ready”
· Julio César Chávez believes that the fight between Canelo Álvarez and David Benavídez will happen sooner or later
· President of the WBC on Canelo Álvarez vs. David Benavídez: “They have been negotiating”