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David Benavidez predicts he’ll end his fight tonight against Oleksandr Gvozdyk with a 10-punch combination knockout in their clash for the WBC interim light heavyweight title on PBC on Prime Video PPV.
Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) says he’s been working on “combinations” in training camp, and he feels that’s the right strategy to take for his debut at 175 against former WBC light heavyweight champion Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KOs).
The ‘Mexican Monster’ Benavidez could eat his words tonight if he takes a foolhardy approach to throw combinations against Gvozdyk, who is levels above anyone he’s faced during his long career.
Risks of a Combination Strategy Against Gvozdyk
Throwing sustained combinations against a puncher like Gvozyk could put the 27-year-old Benavidez at risk of getting clipped, as this is a more powerful fighter than the guys he’s been matched against during his 11-year career at 168.
The only puncher Benavidez has had during his career is David Lemieux, who was always a limited fighter and had spent most of his career in middleweight.
“I’ve been working on a lot of combinations in this camp. So, I’m looking at a 10-punch combination stoppage,” said David Benavidez to PPV_Com, talking about his prediction for tonight’s fight against Oleksandr Gvozdyk in Las Vegas.
“I’ve got some stiff competition, and I’m looking to knock out Oleksandr Gvozdyk. I’ve always been ‘The Monster,’ but now it’s more apparent.”
Does Benavidez Have An Ego Problem?
Some fans on social media believe Benavidez is a textbook egomaniac. He shows signs of delusion of greatness, an exaggerated sense of his abilities, believes he’s better than he is, and thinks he will glide through the 175-lb division.
They point out that Benavidez’s refusal to accept Canelo Alvarez’s disinterest in a fight is another example of his egomaniac tendencies.
“There were questions when I got in with quality fighters, and I definitely am, especially now that I don’t have to deplete myself to make 168,” said Benavidez. “I feel strong. When I fight a great fighter, the best of me comes out,” said Benavidez without mentioning the “great fighters” he’s faced.
The problem with Benavidez’s statement about the “best” of him coming out when he’s with a “great fighter’ is that he’s never fought a great fighter in his career.
You can’t call 36-year-old Demetrius Andrade and Caleb Plant “great fighters,” as neither fits that category. Plant can’t punch and was knocked out by Canelo Alvarez in 2021. Benavidez had all kinds of problems against Plant, needing to go the full 12-round decision.
Benavidez didn’t fight David Morrell Jr. when called out by him, and he has been fighting in a division well below his frame his entire career. His opposition has been weak, and he’s not the fighter he portrays himself as.
Teddy Atlas’s Prediction: Upset Alert!
Former trainer Teddy Atlas predicts an upset loss for Benavidez tonight, as he feels that he’s misjudged Gvozdyk, thinking he’s old and going by their sparring that took place years ago.
“I believe Benavidez & his people misjudged taking Gvozdyk off old sparring & age. He became a different fighter after that. I see upset,” said former trainer Teddy Atlas on X.
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