The Benavidez family was formed through hard times, as “The Mexican Monster” David Benavidez and his brother Jose Benavidez Jr. faced many trials and tribulations to get to where they are in life, though much of the credit should also go to Jose Benavidez Sr.
Growing up as an abandoned child in Mexico and placed in the care of his frail 80-year-old grandmother, he was left to fend for himself. From working in the fields to eating food thrown out of trash bins, survival was a struggle. His struggles continued even after he moved to the United States to live with his mother at the age of 11. After being kicked out of school in the eighth grade, he spent much of his adolescent and adult life engaged in crime and gang-related activity.
But Jose Benavidez Sr. was determined not to let his children follow the same path. He singlehandedly nurtured the Benavidez brothers' passion for boxing and instilled a workmanlike ethic in them from an early age. There was no room for complacency.
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David Benavidez reflects on his childhood and years growing up in boxing, and shares his gratitude for his father. A stern coach and disciplinarian, his father made sure his brothers didn't take shortcuts to success. Oh, and one more thing: quitting wasn't an option. During a conversation with former UFC legends Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo on the Pound4Pound podcast,, The two-time WBC super middleweight champion revealed what it was like training under his father's strict watchful eye.
Fear is a great motivator!
David Benavidez spoke about how his father never let him give up on his dreams. “I tried to quit many times but he never let me quit, so I give him a lot of credit.” The Mexican Monster admitted.
Plus, there was always that fear in the back of his mind of disappointing his father – after all, if there was anything wrong with his training plan, he would be punished. “If you don't practice, you get disciplined, you know? So I was really scared of my dad for a long time.” He said.
But looking back, he bears no grudge as he sees the treatment as necessary to hone himself into a boxer worthy of the nickname “The Mexican Monster.”“Sometimes you have to learn the hard way. I'd rather have my dad slap me and make me cry than be knocked out in the ring. That's the way I was raised. If I did something wrong, my dad would hit me hard.” Benavidez recalled.
