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David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez cries out for a fight with Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez. Facing the likes of David Lemieux, whom he knocked out easily on Saturday night, doesn’t help his cause much, but the Mexican-American fighter from Phoenix certainly looks strong, fast and continues to rack up knockouts.
Fighting in front of his fans in Phoenix, David Benavídez won by technical knockout when the corner of his rival -who was taking a beating – threw in the towel midway through the third round, to claim the interim World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight title. He improved his record to 26-0 and 23 KOs.
Saúl Álvarez is the undisputed champion of the 168 pounds, but it can be said that with the victory against Lemieux and obtaining the interim super middleweight championship, Benavídez is stepping on land owned by “Canelo”, who recently lost in an attempt to be crowned light heavyweight.
Saturday’s fight was nearly over in the very first round, when Benavidez landed a precise uppercut to the chin to send Lemieux to the ropes wobbly and only the final bell of the round prevented the knockout. But it was a matter of time.
Just starting the second round, “El Bandera Roja” landed a blow in form uppercut that sent the Canadian to the canvas and almost out of the ring, falling through the ropes. Lemieux (43-5), courageously, got up and completed the three minutes.
“Mike Tyson gave me the name: the Mexican Monster. What do you think I’m going to do?” Benavidez said when questioned in the ring by Showtime reporter Jim Gray about his dominating performance. “I feel like I am the strongest fighter at 168 pounds. No one can with me.”
Tyson, in fact, recently said that Benavídez is “a monster” and that Canelo must face him.
When the obligatory question came about who he wants to fight next, Benavídez said: “I’m waiting for the contract to be sent, those ‘bitches ‘ you know what’s going on, I’m waiting.” If “Canelo” Álvarez wants to keep his WBC title, he is going to have to face him.
And added Benavídez when asked about possible rivals in the 168 pounds, including Saúl Álvarez: “I am not afraid of anyone, I am the youngest (in the division), I am a three-time champion in the 168 pounds and I will put my belts on the line against anyone and I guarantee that I will knock anyone out.”
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