Jose ‘El Phoenix’ Benavidez Jr 28-2-1 (19) claimed he saw fear in the eyes of WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo 32-0 (22) at the press conference for their 163-pound 10-round catchweight bout at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 25.
The bout will take place on the undercard of the fight between David ‘El Bandera Roja’ Benavidez 27-0 (23) and Demetrius ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade 32-0 (19) and will be broadcast on Showtime pay-per-view.
Benavidez is talking a good game ahead of the Charlo fight. The 31-year-old has a record of 1-2-1 going back five years and is seen as a durable type who should give Houston’s Charlo, 33, some much needed rounds after almost two-and-a-half years out of the ring.
“I’m very thankful for this opportunity. I feel great and I feel strong. I’m not really gonna do too much talking, because I know Charlo is gonna do his talking, but I don’t care about any of his excuses. He’s gonna see what a real puncher is on fight night,” Benavidez said.
“You already look scared. It’s gonna be funny when I whoop you. I always keep this same energy. Ask anybody about me.”
Benavidez Jr believes weight drain has affected his career. His 12th round knockout loss to Terence Crawford came in a welterweight bout in 2018 and his subsequent majority decision loss Danny Garcia was fought at the junior middleweight limit in July last year.
His last bout against journeyman Sladan Janjanin in August, a fifth-round knockout victory, took place at the middleweight limit.
“I’ve fought at 160 pounds a few times before and I walk around at 180,” Benavidez said. “The lower weights were hard to make. When I fought Danny Garcia, I was at 175 the week of the fight and had to lose 20 pounds. I feel strong now and ready to get this show on the road.
“I do thank him for choosing me to fight him. He’s right about that. It’s gonna be a fantastic night of boxing and we’re both training hard for it.
“When I fought Terence Crawford, it was the same weight I had been fighting at since 14 years old. He’s a world class fighter, don’t get me wrong. But I feel really good at this weight. I’ve always sparred bigger guys and I feel like it’s time for me. I’m in a great place right now.
“You gotta be confident. I don’t think he’s confident in himself. He’s knocked out bums. Watch what happens when I get in there. I’ve been in a tough training camp and sparring for a while. I’m really motivated more than anything.
“I felt good in my last fight stepping up in weight. It’s good to be active and it’s got me feeling very strong going into this fight.”
