Unbeaten two-time WBC super middleweight world champion David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez and Kyrone Davis went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference before they meet in the main event this Saturday live on Showtime from Footprint Center in Phoenix.
“I’m on a knockout streak and I’m keeping it going Saturday night. The fans want to see knockouts and that’s what I want to give them.”
David Benavídez“This is going to be a world class fight. I’m coming to fight and I’m coming to win.”
Kyrone Davis
DAVID BENAVÍDEZ
“I’ve had a tremendous training camp this time around. Hats off to Kyrone Davis for stepping up to the plate and taking this fight. I’m on a knockout streak and I’m keeping it going Saturday night. The fans want to see knockouts and that’s what I want to give them.
“I’m excited to have fans back in attendance, after my last couple of fights took place in the bubble. The energy is going to be crazy. I can’t wait to get in there.
“We went right back into training camp after Davis stepped in as the replacement. I’m just happy the date was still salvaged. I’ve trained with multiple sparring partners in the gym, so I’m used to adapting to different styles. We’ll adapt to what he brings on Saturday.
“I’ve had a lot of support from the people here and it’s been amazing. Last time I was here, it was on my brother’s undercard. I’m ecstatic to be back fighting in front of a crowd. I can’t wait to feel the energy from the people.
“Once opponents feel my pressure, they realize it’s a whole different type of power. I want to see how he’s going to react to the power, combinations and speed. I’m going to keep doing what I do best and have fun.
“I’m not thinking about Canelo. I’m just thinking about Kyrone Davis. I’m excited to give my fans a good show. I worked extremely hard for this fight and trained like it was for a world title. I’m ready for whoever they want to give me to fight next.
“I’m always going to try to knock my opponent out. Not just Kyrone, but everyone who comes after him. I’m a warrior and I’m going to give the fans a war. It’s going to be a great night for me and my brother.
“My brother is still my role model. I still look up to him a lot. When we’re sparring, we try to take each other’s heads off and we might go days without talking, because it gets so serious. But he’s providing motivation for me every day. Especially the way that he came back from his injury.
“Kyrone Davis is a live dog. He knows what he’s up against. I’ve had a tremendous training camp and I’m going to make this a fun fight. We’re not scared of each other, and that makes it a great fight.
“It means the world to our whole family to be here in this position. I spent most of my childhood at Central Boxing Gym. The first mural out there was of my brother and I said that I wanted to be up there next. It’s really motivating knowing that Phoenix has our backs.”
KYRONE DAVIS
“Sometimes with stepping-stones, you trip. We’ve seen it happen plenty of times. My job is to make sure Saturday night isn’t his night. I’m looking to have a good time and put my all into it.
“I’ve been doing this my whole life. Stepping up on two weeks’ notice is nothing for me. A guy trying to cheat is disrespectful to the sport. It’s my duty to the sport to step in
“This is going to be a world class fight. I’m coming to fight and I’m coming to win.
“I showed that I can fight on this level against Anthony Dirrell. That performance put me in position to get this fight. I’m looking to put on a show. We’re going to have a good time.
“All good things must come to an end. His knockout streak is cool, but who you fight matters. I’m nicknamed ‘Shut It Down’, not lay down. He’s supposed to want to put on a great show, but I’m looking to do what I have to do to win.
“I’m always ready. When they call me and tell me it’s time to fight, I’m ready to go. I’ve had some experience taking fights on short notice. Every time we go through something, we take it and apply it to everything we do going forward.
“To see my name in the big lights, is a gratifying feeling. But it’s not just great to be here, I want to show what I can do at this level.
“I’m a smart fighter and my style changes depending on my opponent. We have a game plan and I’m going to follow it.
“I’ve never lost over 160 pounds. All of my losses were from shrinking down to 154 pounds. I’m feeling great at this weight and I’m ready for any way that this fight goes. I’m mentally and physically prepared.
“I can guarantee a great fight and that I’m going to win.”
Also featured at Thursday’s press conference was David’s older brother and longtime contender José Benavídez, along with Argentina’s Francisco Emanuel Torres, before they meet in the 10-round co-main event on the telecast beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
JOSÉ BENAVÍDEZ
“I’ve had a great training camp. I’ve been out for a few years, but I never stopped loving boxing. If anything, I love it more. I’m coming with bombs Saturday. I’m hungry and I’m ready to eat.
“I learned a lot from my last fight. I feel like I’m a different animal now. When I say I’m going to do something, I do it. He better not run on Saturday. I’m coming to break his ribs with body shots.
“I don’t care how busy he’s been. He’s never seen anyone with power like mine. You better be ready for Saturday night.
“He’s a bum just like the bums that he’s fought. I’m back to take this clown out and show everyone that I’m going to be the next 154-pound world champion.
“I’ve always loved boxing. Ever since I was young. Now having my own children, I’m even more motivated than ever. I’m so grateful to my whole family for all their support throughout these long training camps. I’m happy where I’m at.
“We’ve had a long road and I’m just thankful to everyone who’s supported us. It’s been six years since we fought at home, but I love it here. We’ve worked hard at this since we were little kids. We’ve come so far and I’m just trying to keep learning new things every day.
“My brother and I push each other to be on top. We’re the best sparring partners either of us could ask for. We don’t believe in a rivalry, we just want to push each other to be the best that we can.”
FRANCISCO EMANUEL TORRES
“I’m thankful for this opportunity and I’m looking forward to Saturday night. This is the biggest fight of my life. I can’t let it pass me by. This is the kind of stage I dreamed of ever since I was a little kid. I’m going to make the most of it.
“You can say whatever you want up here on a stage. Maybe his prediction of a knockout will be true, but he still has to go in the ring and face me. We’ll all find out Saturday night.
“I prepared really hard for this fight and I’m ready to counter anything he can throw my way. You can bet on that.
“I don’t care that Jose is fighting in front of his fans. I’ve been an underdog before and I’m comfortable in that role.
“I don’t care about what he says. I’m just focused on doing what I have to do.”
Benavidez tailor made for Canelo -no more than 8 rounds
Benavidez is good, but relies too much on volume punching, so there are gaps in his game, someone like Canelo would surely exploit. He should handle Davis, due to the latter not having the punching power to keep Benavidez off of him. Davis isn’t bad as I watched his fight against Dirrell, but in tough.
Good points. Benavidez tries to smother and wear down his opponents via a higher volume of punching. However, he is hittable since his defense tends to get lazier in later rounds of a fight. I feel Canelo could effectively counterpunch Benavidez especially if Canelo can block the right crosses coming from Benavidez. Canelo’s improvements in his movement and defense over the last few years would align him a victory against Benavidez in my opinion. Canelo on a UD.
I can’t wait to see a Canelo vs. Benavidez matchup, but I think the Mexican superstar is too strong & too good defensively for the brash Ecuadorian.
I agree with you on on point, Canelo will be too much for him, however, Benavidez’ father is Mexican, his mother is Ecuadorian. Just setting the record straight. But either way, being a Mexican/Ecuadrian will not help him against Canelo.
What difference does it make if his dad is Mexican and mom is Ecuadoiran? Canelo dodged him when it was time to fight for the WBC title. We’ll see what happens.
I laugh at a lot of these comments because you folks are the very same people that suggested Plant would be outclassed and KO’d in 5?!! We have absolutely NO IDEA how Benavidez would fare against Canelo? This is why they fight!!! Until then nothing but speculation!
Speculation is part of the sport and why we are on this thread! Have a great evening…:)
Not sure why the speculation to begin with, Canelo would never step in the ring with D.Benavidez.
Canelo fights who he can beat and avoid who he cant. He makes big money and the casual fans love him either way so cant blame Canelo.
Please!!! The champ beat every champ at 168…. If it was so easy how come nobody did it before him…. Because It takes commitment, confidence, oh yeah and ballz to put everything on the line. Benavides is 175. How come he dont fight any of those champs, zurdo, or any other champs. And then only one fight a year. I think you have canelo confused with mayweather. Everybody know that he cherry picked fighters. He never unified any of his belts just fight fighters past there prime or the fighters that gave him trouble he never fought again. But he calls himself T B E. And you ask him about it all he say is will I got more money than you. I thing benavides is a good fighter but does not have that spunk to get out there and test him self. Everybody want what canelo has done but nobody wanna work for it they want it handed to them fighting nobody’s once a year please!!!
True, he sets up a ton of ridiculous stipulations against his opponents such as Danny Jacobs (dehydration stipulations), dodged Charlo, and had no interest in fighting for Benevidez’s WBC belt until it was vacant after he lost it due to coke. Some play the race card and say Canelo gets this heat because he’s Mexican. Recently, Mexican icon superstar Marquez said this about Canelo. So what will these delusional fans say now, they know more about boxing than Marquez hahaha.
Kyrone is the money bet!! This is going to be a upset!!!
I’m not saying Benavidez beats Canelo but he’s obviously a threat. Canelo had no interest in fighting for the WBC title. When Benavidez lost the WBC title after testing positive for cocaine Canelo SUDDENLY had an interest to fight for the WBC title.
For anybody expecting Canelo to fight Benavidez that fight might never happen, as I recall from a previous interview Canelo said he does not want to fight against Mexicans
So if he is true to his comment that and many others fights are off the table, would be a good ones against Benavidez and Zurdo