Mike Tyson Is Afraid Of David Benavidez – ‘I’m Talking Facts’
Mike Tyson has revealed which fighter he would not want to fight.
Tyson developed a reputation for being one of the most feared knockout artists ever. He won 37 fights in a row, 33 of which were by knockout. That was ended when Buster Douglas stopped him. However, there is one boxer who has earned Tyson’s praise. He referenced David Benavidez, who also developed a reputation for stopping his opponents. Benavidez is 29-0 with 24 knockouts.
His last fight, however, was a unanimous decision win over Oleksandr Gvozdyk. He never looked like stopping the Ukrainian. But it is important to remember that Gvozdyk had previously sparred Benavidez. It was also Benavidez’s first fight in the weight class, as he later disclosed he had injured his hand. When he is at the top of his game, Benavidez is a feared opponent.
Tyson On Benavidez
“He’s so underrated but so over-polarised here. Listen, I’d be afraid to fight him too if I was in that division. No one even has a chance against him, and I’m talking facts,” Tyson said
Canelo Alvarez has been accused of ducking Benavidez since the latter was the WBC Interim Super Middleweight Champion for over two years. Canelo demanded $200 million to make that fight, increasing suggestions he was pricing himself out. This is especially true since Canelo demanded much less to face other fighters. Benavidez eventually moved to light heavyweight, where he is now mandatory for the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol.
Canelo has left the door open for the Benavidez fight, meaning there is more pressure on the Saudis to put up the money. But since Benavidez is at 175, it will be much more difficult for him to return to 168. There is also less incentive since Canelo is no longer undisputed. He was stripped of his IBF belt after failing to defend against his mandatory William Scull. Alvarez chose to pursue the Edgar Berlanga fight, which takes place on September 14.
Canelo Ducks Benavidez
Canelo has previously moved up twice to 175. He defeated Sergey Kovalev to win the WBO Light Heavyweight Title. However, his fight against Bivol was not successful. Canelo was outboxed for the full 12 rounds, later stating he had a hand injury. Alvarez has stated he is willing to box Bivol at 175 if he beats Beterbiev. That would set up an undisputed fight. The failure to do the same against Benavidez has resulted in mass backlash. Paulie Malignaggi has said it is one of the biggest ducks ever.
“If Canelo doesn’t fight Benavidez, is this the biggest duck in boxing history? You are a champion, and he is the bonified #1 contender, and you even got a guy like Munguia and Morrell, who are dangerous as well. You’re talking about the biggest duck in boxing history. This is in your same weight class, and you are the champion. Is Benavidez being ducked more blatantly than that? I think he is at this point,” Malignaggi stated
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