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David Benavidez had to do two things before Saturday’s game with Ronald Ellis. He had to hit the 168-pound super middleweight limit, then step into the ring and beat Ellis if he wants future fights against unified champion Canelo Alvarez, IBF title list Caleb Plant, WBO title holder Billy Joe. Saunders or WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo.
Benavidez put on weight easily on Friday and then put on a show by beating Ellis via 11th round TKO from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut Benavidez led the judges’ cards with scores of 98-92, 98-92 and 99-91 at the time of shutdown.
Benavidez is notoriously a slow starter, and Ellis tried to take advantage of that in the first lap by pushing the pace early on with combinations. From the first round, the fight belonged to Benavidez.
He started the second round with a hard left hook immediately followed by a sharp body shot. Then the 24-year-old started jabbing through Ellis’ guard, which allowed him to connect on some powerful punches. Whenever Ellis seemed to make his way into the fight, Benavidez would quickly shatter those hopes with one powerful shot after another.
After Ellis had a good fifth round, Benavidez broke his will in the sixth by continuously slicing Ellis’ guard with powerful right uppercuts and hard left hooks to the body. Benavidez continued the assault to the point where the bout was almost stopped by Ellis’ corner after the eighth round. While Ellis showed more wit in the ninth round, Benavidez was still the aggressor with a scathing jab that sent him back to the ropes.
Knowing that it was only a matter of time before sending Ellis to pack his bags, Benavidez poured it in in the eleventh round. Benavidez continued to deliver heavy blows and the fight was stopped.
Benavidez plans to return in August or September. He had choice words for Charlo, Plant and Alvarez.
“He (Charlo) was talking about me, saying he could knock me out,” Benavidez said in his post-fight interview. “If it’s that easy come and do it. I feel like it makes sense to him and me. We both need that next step to get into bigger and better things. I feel like it makes sense either way. “
“As soon as he (Plant) grows balls, I’m ready for the moment,” Benavidez continued. “I don’t think he’s ready yet. Whenever he wants to beat me, I’m here standing.
On Alvarez: “I really feel like I beat Canelo Alvarez. Right now I beat Canelo Alvarez. I feel like it would be a big fight for the fans too. , people want to see big fights. “
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