The Foorprint Center crowd was equally emphatic for David Benavidez and for Kayone Davis in their recent Showtime fight in Arizona. The winner was never in doubt. Davis is not yet at the top of his game. He fights at middleweight, one weight under Benavidez, and he took the fight on two week’s notice when the original opponent, former champion Jose Uzcatequi, tested positive for steroids. Everyone hoped that he would at least hang in for a round or two and not just fall down to collect a paycheck.
Benavidez brought to the ring everything for which he is noted: speed, power, endurance, balance, great chin, and great hart. He has the fastest hands in the super middleweight division. All those skills were brought against Davis.
The first few rounds were more to loosen up as both men exchanged shots. Davis attempted to hang in and tried to give as good as he could. In round four Benavidez began to unload. From then until the finish of the seventh round, David showed what he had – an enormous heart.
Although he was constantly being pummeled and beaten about, Davis refused to quit. Just when he looked like he was finished, he battled back as best he could. His corner attempted to stop the fight on several occasions. Davis refused. He pleaded with them to not stop the fight.
Benavidez pounded Davis with everything he had, punches that would have broken the bones of most fighters. Still Davis refused to go. Still he fought back as best he could. The crowd cheered him for his courage. They were witnessing something spectacular, a super machine of determination.
Davis’ corner finally had enough and tossed in the towel in the seventh round. Again the crowd cheered for him.
Benavidez brought nothing new to the fight. There is nothing new he can bring unless he grows another arm. He is a complete fighter.
Davis brought to the ring a physical magnificence seldom seen. In seven rounds his fan base grew ten fold.
Superscript
Jose Benavides Jr. gets lucky fights to a controversial draw - crowd turns on him
The most disappointing fight of the night came between Jose Benavidez Jr and Francisco Torres. Benavides had not fought in three years, and it showed. Many people thought he had taken too big a step with a comeback fight against Torres. Torrez (17-3-0) is a very decent, crafty, and skilled fighter. What he lacks is power. Good thing for Benavidez who was served a decent three course meal of blows to the face.
For Benavidez the boos and taunts from the crowd had to be devastating. He is from Phoenix and was once their most interesting boxer. He had been anxious to make his comeback there. He is also a proud man and wanted to make a statement.
Benavidez tried his best. He had to lose about 70 pounds of candy and chips for the fight. Hours spent watching “Days of our Lives” were difficult to shed.
When he accepted the fight with Torrez people asked why he did not take a lesser opponent and work his way back up. He claimed he is a top fighter and wanted a decent fight, not a knock-over. It is a nice sentiment, not always a smart one.
Benavidez could not let his hands go nor could he catch the fast-legged Torrez. Except for an occasional flurry, he was content to throw single shots, the same problem he had in his loss to Terrance Crawford. The lay-off and shedding weight had taken everything from him.
Tension filled the arena after the fight finished and the decision went to the three hometown judges. The fight was declared a majority draw, much to the aggravation of the crowd and the commentators of Showtime. Teddy Atlas would have pitched a fit. When Torres raised his arm the crowd cheered.
Benavidez complained after the fight that it was difficult to fight someone who ran and would not fight. Apparently he does not understand that it is his job to overcome that situation.
