Former light heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk is due to face the division’s newcomer David Benavidez for a mandated WBC interim title despite no formal announcement.
“It’s not even been announced yet because everybody already knows due to inside sources,” Gvozdyk said, in an exclusive interview with BoxingScene. “I don’t know what they are doing, maybe they don’t want it before they announce another fight or something like that. PBC, They haven’t really advertised any of the shows from what I have seen, but I don’t know, I'm guessing.
“I was told a date that I told you before, of June 21st, which is in my contract, but the fight has moved to Houston. It is all legit, the fight will now be in Houston on June 22nd.”
Gvozdyk, 20-1 (16 KOs), has seen his upcoming-unannounced counterpart become embroiled with all things Canelo.
“I don’t really care,” Gvozdyk explained regarding Canelo. “It does affect anything really. It doesn’t affect the status of the fight, it doesn’t affect my opponent, it doesn’t affect my purse. It might affect my ego, but I’m cool with my ego so I don’t give a s***. I don’t care whatsoever, just get me in line for a title fight, that’s all I need. All the TV and YouTube, being broadcasted everywhere, I don’t care. As long as I get my fights.”
Benavidez, 28-0 (24 KOs), moves up to debut at 175 pounds against the Ukrainian. He is coming off victories over Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade in 2023. Benavidez appears to have become the media’s favored opponent for Canelo after Jaime Munguia on May 4.
“Benavidez is a great fighter,” Gvozdyk continued, “but he is fighting me, not Canelo next. If I was him I would be focusing on my upcoming fight, not focusing on Canelo because he is scheduled to fight Munguia. If they are looking over me then… well it’s not what I’m hoping for, but if that’s what it is then I’ll appreciate it. If they are looking over me then perfect. It will make it easier for me. They say he is a monster, they need to give him more chances to survive.”
Benavidez recently appeared drunk while being interviewed on live TV, leading to many questioning his commitment.
“I will be expecting his best version,” Gvozdyk added. “Yes we saw him drunk on TV, but we are more than two months away from the fight, he probably hasn’t even started his camp yet. If he has the time to have fun and relax, then why not? Sometimes people drink, it’s not prohibited. It’s up to him, but maybe his fans don’t want to see him this way. For me though, I don’t care. If he does keep drinking and not training, then perfect. It will be easier for me.
“Recently, I’ve been over with Gilberto Ramirez helping him out for his world title fight. He looked faultless actually in that fight. I’m on the same routine as normal, but the levels have come up a bit for these big fights in training. It’s a big step on from my last fight, but I’ve faced this type of quality before.”
