David Benavidez is hoping to make his presence known when he makes his light heavyweight debut against former WBC 175-pound champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk next Saturday night at the PBC on Prime Video PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Benavidez's light heavyweight ambitions
Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) hopes to achieve the same kind of success at light heavyweight that he had at super middleweight, but the weight class will be much tougher as he has never faced a strong opponent at 168 pounds, and he never faced the best before moving up to 175 pounds.
The 27-year-old Benavidez hopes to beat Gvozdyk to win the WBC interim 175-pound title and then face the winner of Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev for the undefeated light heavyweight title.
If Benavidez could move up to 175 pounds and get the chance to become undefeated in just his second fight, it would be a rapid rise to the top for him.
This is ideal for Benavidez as he needs to gain more experience at light heavyweight before facing the winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev, but he doesn't think he needs any more time as he is confident he can beat both fighters.
Benavidez may need to change his style to be successful in this fight, as he has thrown a lot of punches throughout his career and will be facing a fighter with a good right hand that will be a nightmare for any fighter who doesn't take any of his punches.
Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KOs) has looked as strong as ever, knocking out two opponents since returning from a four-year retirement last year.
Benavidez's confidence and adaptability
“It's important to me in my career to perform well in every fight, not just in this one,” David Benavidez said at Premier Boxing Champions – Gloves Are Off. “This will be my debut at 175 pounds and I want to show that I can be just as dominant at that weight class as I was at 168.”
Benavidez's best win at 168
Caleb Plant
Demetrius Andrade
David Lamieux
Ronald Gabil
Anthony Dirrell
Ronald Ellis
Romer Alexis Angulo
Benavidez has to be careful, because while Gvozdyk doesn't look dangerous at times, his right hand can be deadly when it lands properly, and while he throws it with ease, it does a lot of damage.
“I feel like every performance is going to be my best performance ever because I'm growing and evolving as a fighter and as a person,” Benavidez said.
Gvozdik's Viewpoint
“I try to give it my all in the ring. Ukrainians are tough people,” Oleksandr Gvozdyk said. “I can do a little boxing.”
Gvozdyk has a humble demeanor and doesn’t brag or put pressure on himself like Benavidez does.
“He's a great fighter. He's had a great amateur resume. He's had a great professional resume. He's a world champion,” Benavidez said of Gvozdyk. “He's a Ukrainian-style boxer. I've watched him a lot and actually sparred with him a few times in Oxnard, so I know his style very well.
“What I try to do is learn from brawlers and boxers. You never know when a fighter might switch to a different style. He might show a different style from his last fight and then go into the fight with a totally different style.”
“So you have to be able to adapt to anything. I'm up for anything. Boxer or brawler, I'll take on both,” Benavidez said.
