WBC interim super-middleweight champion David Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) has set out his stall on how he wants to be victorious this upcoming Saturday in Las Vegas when he faces former two-weight world champion Demetrius Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs).
Benavidez, one of the most destructive punchers in the 168lb ranks, hopes to correct the mistakes he made last time in his attritional affair with Caleb Plant despite claiming a unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards. Benavidez ultimately wants a stoppage victory against Andrade, something he wishes to atone for after failing to secure a knockout against Plant.
Speaking to BoxingScene.com’s Keith Idec, Benavidez believes it may take him two to three rounds to find his rhythm against Andrade and ultimately ‘impose my will’ on Andrade.
“I feel like I’m gonna end up hurting him,” Benavidez told BoxingScene.com. “I feel like it’s going to be similar to the Caleb Plant fight. You know, it will take me two or three rounds to get my rhythm started. But then, when I start to impose my will on him, I think I’m gonna punish him. And I think ultimately I’m going to get a stoppage. My last fight, I wasn’t too happy with not stopping Caleb Plant. So, this fight, I’m really going to do my best to get a knockout or a stoppage.”
Benavidez continues to add that he feels Andrade and Plant are very similar despite Andrade being a southpaw fighter. However, Benavidez believes he is on a level that is higher than Andrade and many other contenders in the super-middleweight division.
“I think he’s similar to Caleb,” Benavidez said. “The only thing different is that he’s a southpaw. But right now, this is my second pay-per-view [main event]. Obviously, the fights are gonna get harder. I look at every opponent when I prepare for my upcoming fights, that they’re gonna be the best opponents that I’ve faced. All of ’em are good.
“So, I mean, I’m just saying that I’m preparing very well. You know, I know the fights are won in the training camps, and we’re working extremely hard. You know, Andrade’s a really good fighter. I take nothing away from him, but I just feel like I’m on a different level right now.”
Despite a nine-year age gap between the fighters and Andrade, who is currently 35 years old, Benavidez concludes that he is aware of the hunger in the Rhode Island native Andrade. However, the 26-year-old Benavidez, despite thinking his fight with Andrade is a good fight for the fans, believes that he is too big and strong for Andrade.
“Andrade, you know, he has a lot of tricks in his bag. He has a lot of experience, both amateur and professional. And he’s been a champion, so he’s hungry to win another belt. But I just feel like, you know, at this level right now I’m too motivated, too powerful, too big, too hungry, too strong. You know, and I feel like we’re gonna give the fans a great fight.”
