Commentator Jim Lampley thinks David Benavidez has a chance to become “the face of boxing.” The former HBO play-by-play announcer has high praise for Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) and believes he could one day move up to heavyweight and become a world champion.
As of now, Benavidez is scheduled to fight Oleksandr Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KOs) for the WBC interim light heavyweight title this Saturday night, June 15th, at PBC on Prime Video PPV from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
If successful, Benavidez could face the winner of the Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev bout for the undefeated 175-pound title in 2025. If Benavidez can beat Gvozdyk and then the winner of the Bivol vs. Beterbiev bout, he could potentially become the “face of boxing.”
Staying at 175 pounds and moving to cruiserweight would allow Benavidez to become the face of boxing because going back to 168 pounds would prevent him from getting the fights he needs to become the number one star in the sport.
Canelo Alvarez isn't going to fight Benavidez and there aren't any big names at 168 pounds for him to fight. If he can fight long enough at 175 and become unstoppable, he'll become popular. If he can move up to cruiserweight and then heavyweight and keep winning, Benavidez could become a huge star.
Jim Lampley: “David, I just had an amazing moment. I asked Oleksandr Gvozdyk, 'What happened between you and David when we sparred in Oxnard?' And he said, 'It didn't go well at all,'” Lampley told PPV_Com. “Usually you don't get such an honest answer.
“He said, 'The truth is, I couldn't handle him. He was too strong, too powerful. It wasn't a good sparring session for me, but this time it will be different.' Are you surprised that he answered me so honestly?”
David Benavides: “I'm amazed and grateful for his honesty, but it couldn't have gone any better for him. I was 20 or 21 when I sparred with him, so imagine everything I've been through and learned.”
“I'm doing everything I need to do to bring out the best in myself, not just in terms of boxing but also in terms of fitness and conditioning. It could get worse for him. Hats off to him. He's a great guy. It'll be a great fight as long as it lasts, but I'm definitely going to go in there and beat him.”
Lampley: “I asked him, 'How's your jab, it's the best in the sport?' And he said, 'It didn't work against him.' So, again, that's really impressive.”
Benavides: “His jab didn't work, his right hand didn't work. I took away his best weapon. Now that I know what he does, it's going to be even worse for him. I'm not going to take advantage of that and get arrogant and let him pass. I'm still working very hard because I know his weapons are there. But it will be a great win for Team Benavidez.”
Lampley: “I heard a lot of talk at the press conference and the phrase 'the face of boxing' was used a lot. I think you clearly have the opportunity to be the face of boxing and I think it would be in a much more prestigious form than what we saw today.”
Benavides: “Oh, of course. Sometimes it gets to a boiling point where two guys hate each other. But I want to show the fighters that you can be gentlemen in this sport. We can behave differently.”
“Sometimes you have two people who don't like each other. It happens sometimes. It doesn't have to be that way all the time.”
Lampley: “Nothing happened at this press conference that would change your approach to the fight.”
Benavides: “For me and my game, I've been studying a lot of film and studying this guy. He's a great player and it's going to be a great match. I'm looking forward to it.”
