David Benavidez takes it to Kyrone Davis. Images by Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions
Two-time tremendous middleweight titleholder David Benavidez scored a seventh spherical stoppage of Kyrone Davis Saturday on the Footprint Heart in Phoenix, Arizona.
Although Benavidez (25-0, 22 knockouts) was a heavy favourite to win in his hometown in opposition to the late alternative Davis, Benavidez needed to work arduous to attain the stoppage, which got here on the 48-second mark.
Davis, a profession junior middleweight and middleweight, was outgunned by the a lot bigger showing Benavidez, who had reigned twice as WBC tremendous middleweight titleholder earlier than dropping the belt resulting from out-of-the-ring circumstances.
After a tentative begin, Davis (16-3-1, 6 KOs) stood and traded punches with Benavidez in spherical 4, hoping to get some respect. Benavidez might not have backed off, however Davis earned the respect of the followers, who cheered louder for the decided underdog.
Benavidez, who hoped to make his case for a shot at undisputed tremendous middleweight titleholder Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, poured on the punishment, pressuring Davis with hard-hitting flurries alongside the ropes, however it was the physique work that did essentially the most harm on Davis, who had by no means beforehand been stopped.
Davis, 27, of Wilmington, Del., by no means misplaced hope, verbally difficult Benavidez, 24, in the course of the fifth spherical and instructing his coach, Stephen “Breadman” Edwards, to not cease the bout. Edwards gave Davis each probability to proceed preventing till he not may deal with the stress, falling by the wayside early within the seventh.
Towel will get thrown in spherical 7. @benavidez300 will get it executed in opposition to a recreation @KyShutitDown#BenavidezDavis pic.twitter.com/S2UBogp4YD
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) November 14, 2021
Davis had taken the combat on two weeks’ discover, changing Jose Uzcategui, who had examined constructive for the banned efficiency enhancing drug Recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO), which is used to spice up stamina.
The bout was Benavidez’s first in his hometown since Could of 2015, when he stopped Ricardo Campillo in two rounds.
The hometown crowd confirmed their help for Benavidez’s bid to face the most important title in boxing, shouting enthusiastically when Benavidez requested the group afterwards, “I believe everybody desires to see me in opposition to Canelo, proper?”
Alvarez had accomplished his mission of unifying all belts at 168 kilos with an eleventh spherical stoppage of Caleb Plant final week, and could be by far the most important combat that Benavidez may land.
“I don’t actually care what [Alvarez’s] evaluation is of me,” mentioned Benavidez, together with his gumshield nonetheless in his mouth. “They should give me the chance. I’ll undergo anyone, whoever they need me to undergo.
Benavidez was far much less reverent in the direction of Jermall Charlo, the undefeated WBC middleweight titleholder and Benavidez’s Premier Boxing Champions stablemate.
“[Charlo] doesn’t wish to get within the ring with me as a result of he’s a pussy,” mentioned Benavidez.
The bout headlined a Showtime Championship Boxing card, which additionally featured Benavidez’s older brother Jose Jr., ending a 3 12 months layoff with a draw against Emanuel Torres.
