David Benavidez, known as the ‘Mexican Monster’, finds himself in a dubious position as he prepares to fight on the undercard of the Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin event. Despite attempts by his father, Jose Benavidez Sr., to paint this as an honor, it raises concerns about David’s standing as a potential pay-per-view (PPV) attraction. In his last PPV event against Demetrius Andrade, where he suffered a loss, the event garnered only 60,000 buys, signaling a significant lack of interest in Benavidez as a headliner. This low turnout is especially troubling given his vocal challenges to boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez.
The disappointing PPV numbers from Benavidez’s previous fight raise questions about his ability to draw in viewers and sell tickets as a main event fighter. Being placed on the undercard suggests that he may not currently possess the star power necessary to carry a PPV event on his own. This is further highlighted by his upcoming bout for the WBC interim light heavyweight title against Oleksandr Gvozdyk, as he aims to position himself for a shot at unifying the titles in the division. However, his strategy of skipping past other contenders and going straight for the top may not sit well with the rankings and boxing community.
Despite the challenges and criticisms surrounding Benavidez’s current status, his father remains optimistic and supportive of his son’s journey. Jose Benavidez Sr. believes that fighting on the undercard of a high-profile event like Davis vs. Martin is a positive opportunity for David to showcase his skills and attract new fans. He also emphasizes the potential for future fights against top champions like Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, highlighting the family’s willingness to take on tough challenges in pursuit of greatness.
Benavidez’s potential future in the super middleweight division is clouded by complications with Canelo Alvarez holding multiple belts in the weight class. If a bout with Canelo materializes, the Benavidez camp is prepared to move back to 168 pounds. However, the uncertainty surrounding Canelo’s plans leaves them in a state of limbo, unable to wait indefinitely for a title shot. This situation underscores the complexities of navigating the boxing landscape, where champions and their decisions can dictate the opportunities available to other fighters.
David Benavidez’s current positioning on the undercard of the upcoming PPV event raises valid concerns about his drawing power and marketability as a headliner. While his family remains supportive and optimistic about his future prospects, the challenges of securing meaningful fights and titles in a competitive division loom large. As Benavidez continues his journey in boxing, he will need to address these issues and prove his worth in the ring to solidify his status as a top-tier fighter in the sport.