By Ian S Palmer
Unbeaten WBC Super Middleweight Champion David Benavidez of Phoenix, Arizona was planning on defending his crown against Roamer Alexis Angulo of Colombia this Saturday, August 15 but lost the title on the weigh scales instead when he came in 2.8 lbs overweight. The vacant title will now be on the line for Angulo only. The 12-round bout from Uncasville, Connecticut can be seen live in America on Showtime while fans in Canada can catch it on TSN 2. Benavidez regained the title by stopping Anthony Dirrell in the ninth round last September in his last outing. Angulo last boxed in January and won a 10-round unanimous decision over Anthony Sims Jr.
The 23-year-old Benavidez won the vacant WBC belt in September, 2017 with a split decision over Ronald Gavril even though he was dropped in the 12th round. He then beat Gavril by unanimous decision in a rematch five months later. He sat out for a year after testing positive for cocaine and returned in March, 2019 with a second-round stoppage of J’Leon Love. Benavidez is a hard-hitter who turned pro in 2013 after a short 15-0 amateur career. He’s boxed 87 rounds as a pro and won the vacant NABF Junior Light Heavyweight Title in April, 2015 with a first-round TKO of Rollin Williams.
He enters the match with a perfect record of 22-0 with 19 Kos and owns quite a bit of power with a current knockout ratio of 86.4 per cent, but Gavril took him the distance in both of their fights. Benavidez likes to slug it out and that means he’s not really the hardest guy to hit, but he has a decent chin even though Gavril decked him. Benavidez is just over 6-feet-1-inch tall with a reach of 77 inches. His biggest wins so far have been over Dirrell, Love, Gavril, Rogelio (Porky) Medina, and Denis Douglin.
As for Angulo, he’s also a hard-hitting boxer as he enters the ring with a mark of 26-1 with 22 Kos. The 36-year-old stands 6-feet-1-inch tall with a 75-inch reach so gives up two inches in reach to the former champ. He made his debut back in 2010 and has fought just 88 rounds since then mainly due to his power. He obviously packs quite a punch with a current knockout ratio of 81.5 per cent. Since turning pro Angulo has won the WBO Latino and IBF Latino Super Middleweight Titles.
If there’s a knock against Angulo it’s basically for the level of opponents he’s faced over the years. The average boxing fan would be hard pressed to recognize any of his previous opponents. However, he did take on Gilberto Ramirez for the WBO Super Middleweight Title in 2018 and lost a wide unanimous decision for his lone career loss. Still, that doesn’t mean he isn’t a dangerous foe for Benavidez because he definitely has the power to cause some damage. Angulo also combines his power with a pretty solid chin even though he’s been down on the canvas earlier in his career.
Prediction…
Benavidez has done well in the ring but is undisciplined outside of it. He appeared to be an excellent prospect at mainly because of his power and age as his boxing skills should develop with experience. But he needs to get his act together soon. Angulo’s got a puncher’s chance here and even though he’s 13 years older than Benavidez realizes this may be his last shot at t title, which could make him hungrier.
I expect an entertaining fight with Benavidez winning as long as he’s not careless.
