Unbeaten two-time world champion and Phoenix native David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez obtained a proclamation from Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego at his media exercise Wednesday, because the Mayor’s workplace declared this Saturday, November 13 “David Benavídez Day” in his hometown. The 24-year-old Benavidez will tackle contender Kyrone Davis this Saturday evening reside on SHOWTIME in a Premier Boxing Champions occasion from Footprint Heart in Phoenix.
Benavídez was joined by his older brother José Benavídez, who faces Francisco Emanuel Torres in Saturday’s co-main occasion, and his father and coach Jose Benavídez Sr., at Wednesday’s occasion at Central Boxing Fitness center.
The occasion additionally featured the disclosing of a mural of the Benavídez household exterior of the boxing gymnasium in honor of the town’s boxing stars. The Benavídez household have been offered the proclamation by Mary Rose Wilcox, the previous Chairperson of the Arizona Boxing Fee. Different dignitaries in attendance included Arizona State Consultant Cesar Chavez and Metropolis of Phoenix Councilperson Laura Pastor.
Tickets for the reside occasion are on sale now and can be found for buy via Ticketmaster.com.
Here’s what the contributors needed to say Wednesday:
DAVID BENAVÍDEZ
“This gymnasium simply jogs my memory of my childhood. All I did from age six to fifteen was prepare. All of my reminiscences are in boxing. I discovered methods to be a person due to this place.
“I used to be born and raised in Phoenix and the truth that I can come again to my hometown and be acknowledged like this simply means the world to me.
“I’ve labored extraordinarily onerous for this second and it’s been a very long time coming. I’ve been an expert for nearly eight years now. I’ve been placing in work for a very long time and I’m excited for the long run. Lots of people got here out to help us right this moment and it means a lot to me. I’m doing it for all of them.
“I’m excited for my brother to come back again. His punching energy appears good and most significantly, he’s hungry to be again. He’s excited to struggle in entrance of our followers. Having him again within the combine is further motivation for me.
“I do know Kyrone Davis did properly in his struggle towards Anthony Dirrell, and though he doesn’t have a lot knockout energy, he’s by no means been stopped himself. So I’d prefer to be the primary one to perform that. He’s a boxer and counter puncher and he’s positively a reside canine.
“I really feel like I’m going to have the ability to keep at tremendous middleweight for some time. We’re not likely struggling to make weight greater than anybody else. So long as we’ve a great routine, I’ll have the ability to hold making it for a pair extra years.”
JOSÉ BENAVÍDEZ
“It means loads to have the help of my metropolis and it motivates me much more. All of the onerous work we’ve put in since we have been youngsters is paying off. Seeing this mural offers me much more motivation to maintain working towards turning into world champion.
“It feels good to have our entire household honored right here. We have now plenty of help, however we’re nonetheless humble folks. I’ve put my life into boxing and I’m going to maintain doing that till the day I retire.
“Me and my brother used to come back prepare on this gymnasium every single day and we’ve come a good distance. We’re each going to maintain rising. I wish to thank everybody for supporting Group Benavídez. I can’t watch for Saturday evening to get within the ring in entrance of all our folks right here.
“I’ve to thank all my followers and everybody who has been supporting me all through the years. It’s going to be fireworks on Saturday evening. I’m coming with a bang and I’m stopping everybody at 154-pounds.”
JOSÉ BENAVÍDEZ SR., David and José’s Father and Coach
“It hasn’t been simple, however I’m tremendous happy with what David and Jose have been in a position to accomplish. I’m very grateful to everybody who’s out right here supporting us. It’s taken plenty of onerous work. We’re right here to make historical past and we’re going to proceed to maintain working onerous.
“Jose was all the time the motivation for David. That was his idol. He simply wished to be subsequent to him, and look the place we at the moment are. This Saturday goes to be tremendous particular for us.
“We’re combating in entrance of our hometown and that has plenty of worth for us. Phrases can’t even describe how we really feel. It’s very emotional for me.
“This can be a very emotional and motivational expertise. It’s like a dream come true. I don’t wish to get up. I by no means dreamed of them turning into champions, however look the place we’re at. Laborious work pays off.”
MARY ROSE WILCOX, Former Chairperson of the Arizona Boxing Fee
“This can be a nice occasion for the group. Phoenix loves boxing and so they love the Benavídez household. I’m so comfortable that we have been in a position to assist spotlight them and assist get Arizona again into boxing forward of this massive present Saturday evening.”
