David Benavidez recently listed some of the attributes that have helped him win two world titles and build a flawless resume. Among his claims: He is the most accurate puncher in the 168-pound weight class.
That’s true, according to Bob Canobbio of CompuBox. However, Benavidez harmed himself.
“Benavidez underestimated himself,” Canobbio told Boxing Junkie. “He leads all fighters – not just 168 – in total connection percentage.
You then. No one in the sport connects with higher rates than the 26-year-old from Phoenix, who faces Caleb Plant on March 25 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He hit 38.4% in every punch he throws, far ahead of 2nd place Gennadiy Golovkin with 36.5% (see Top 10 below).
Of course, those who have followed Benavidez’s career (26-0, 23 KOs) will not be shocked to hear that news.
To the naked eye he can be seen as one of the most destructive strike forces in the world, with a high kill rate (88). He’s not a one-punch knockout artist; He tortures his opponents, mercilessly thrashing them until they can’t fight anymore. He stopped his last six opponents.
He expects the same against Plant (22-1, 13 KOs), who was stopped by Canelo Alvarez for 11 rounds in 2021 but recovered to KO Anthony Dirrell in 9 rounds last year.
“Some people don’t understand that I’m the most accurate puncher in this weight class,” he said. “I had 23 kills in 26 games. I’ve hurt every man I’ve ever been in the ring with, and Caleb Plant is no exception.
Benavidez believes that Plant is particularly vulnerable to strong opponents.
“You can see that every time Caleb is in the ring with a powerful puncher, he doesn’t feel comfortable,” he said. “He beat Jose Uzcategui but he got injured in the match and then Canelo injured him. Even Anthony Dirrell hit him with good shots, and he was not such a hitter.
“I have strength and I feel faster. I just need to put my feet in the right place, because he’s going to move around a lot. I think he’s got a bit more confidence after beating Dirrell, so we’ll see if he wants to trade with me.”
Bad idea for Plant?
“I’m a big guy and I throw a lot of punches,” said Benavidez. “I’m ready to mix it in there. All your questions will be answered on March 25th.”
TOP 10 PER % CONNECTED (TOTAL PUTTS)
Source: CompuBox
| DAVID BENAVIDEZ | 38.4% |
| GENNADY GOLOVKIN | 36.5% |
| VASILIY LOMACHENKO | 36.0% |
| ROMAN GONZALEZ | 35.8% |
| BADOU JACK | 35.6% |
| ANTHONY DIRRELL | 35.5% |
| Gervonta DAVIS | 35.1% |
| SAUL ALVAREZ | 35.1% |
| JULIAN WILLIAMS | 34.7% |
| NAOYA INOUE | 34.7% |
