'He really hurt me': David Benavidez speaks candidly about brother Jose Benavidez Jr.'s recovery after being shot in the leg

David Benavides He is currently one of the best super-middleweight boxers in the world, but he is now tired of waiting to face the undisputed champion. Canelo Alvarezhe moved up to 175 pounds. “The Mexican Monster” will compete in the main event of the boxing event this Saturday. Oleksandr Gvozdyk The two will compete for the WBC interim light heavyweight title. In the days leading up to the bout, the boxer spoke about his brother, a former welterweight title contender. Jose Benavidez Jr.. The Benavidez family had two promising boxers in David and Jose Jr. Jose Benavidez Jr.'s career has stalled a bit in recent years. Why?

Unfortunately, the boxer was shot in the leg, forcing him to take a two-year break from the sport. The incident occurred in August 2016 while he was walking his dog near his home in Phoenix, Arizona. A stranger approached him, asked him questions, and shot him in the leg. The injury was serious but not life-threatening. The reason for the shooting is unclear. There were reports of a gathering at his home earlier that evening, but it is unclear if they are related. However, the shooting had a major impact on his boxing career. Doctors initially feared that the leg injury would be career-ending. However, Jose Benavidez Jr. made a miraculous comeback.

David Benavidez thanks his older brother for paving the way for him in boxing

Just recently, Jose's brother, David Benavidez, appeared on a podcast hosted by the former UFC legend. Kamaru Usman and Henry CejudoHe revealed that Jose had always had injuries and his hands had always hurt. “And then he ended up getting shot in the leg and that really messed him up, you know?”

He further added, “You've had some bad stuff happen to you, you've been shot at, you know what I mean. Now he's training more, you know he's fighting, you know he just had a great fight with Charlo, you know it was a tough fight.” Last year, Merciless Jermall Charlo Despite Charlo being the WBC middleweight champion, his brother's undercard bout lasted a full round, which resulted in Benavidez looking up to his brother.

What's more, the Mexican Monster credits his brother for giving him the opportunity to make it to the big leagues, something that would never have happened if he hadn't been Jose Benavodes Jr.'s brother. “I started boxing because of my brother. I always wanted to be like him. He's the one who got me started, took the step and opened the doors for me.” “I'm so grateful,” David Benavidez said, and for that his brother is forever grateful.

At the time of the accident, doctors told Jose that it would take about two years for the injury to heal, after which the boxer would be able to walk properly. This came as a shock to him, as he was at the peak of his career at the time. However, less than two years later, in 2018, he not only recovered, but was back in the ring again.

Merciless is back

The Arizona native took an 18-month hiatus from boxing, but returned to the ring in 2018 and this time made a big impact. He made an impressive comeback in 2018, knocking out Matthew Strode in the eighth round, and then took on Frank Rojas at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas that same year.

This bout also ended with Benavidez knocking out Rojas. Before the shot in the leg, “Merciless” was aiming for a big fight to become a world champion. Unfortunately, those dreams were shattered. However, after his return in 2018, he embarked on a quest to become the welterweight champion.

Unfortunately, the man before him was no ordinary champion: in October 2018, he faced the WBO welterweight champion. Terence Crawford For his belt. Unfortunately, “Bud” defeated Benavidez by technical knockout, after which he competed in a total of four bouts, with one draw, one win, and two losses.

Yet Jose Benavidez Jr. remains active and continues to pursue his championship dreams, while his younger brother, David Benavidez, is also gearing up for a championship. Oleksandr Gvozdyk This Saturday. What do you think about Jose's journey? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.