WBC number one super middleweight contender David ‘El Bandera Roja’ Benavidez 24-0 (21) has promised to keep his knockout streak alive when he takes on late replacement Kyrone ‘Shut It Down’ Davis 16-2-1 (6) at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday night.
Davis, 27, of Wilmington, Delaware by way of New Jersey, stepped in at late notice to replace Jose Uzcategui 31-4 (26) after the Venezuelan tested positive to a banned substance.
The 24-year-old Benavidez from Phoenix has stopped his last four opponents and is now looking to make Davis number five.
“I’ve had a tremendous training camp this time around,” Benavidez said. “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 realise 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.”
Benavidez has long coveted a shot at Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 57-1-2 (39) and his voice has only become louder in that conversation this past week after Alvarez unified all four major world titles at 168-pounds against Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant 21-1 (12).
But the undefeated power-puncher insists he is not overlooking Davis.
“I’m not thinking about Canelo, I’m just thinking about Kyrone Davis,” Benavidez said. “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.”
