David Benavidez vs. Ronald Ellis - March 13, 2021

[Ruthless-RKO]

David Benavidez To Face Ronald Ellis In Showtime Main Event March 13

David Benavidez has an opponent against whom he can remain active while awaiting a bigger fight.

Benavidez informed BS.com on Tuesday that he’ll oppose Ronald Ellis on March 13. Showtime will televise the Benavidez-Ellis fight as the main event of a tripleheader that night from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The 24-year-old Benavidez had hoped to fight former IBF super middleweight champ Jose Uzcategui (29-4, 24 KOs), but Benavidez said that the Venezuelan veteran turned down that opportunity.

“We wanted a fight with Uzcategui, but he went a different route,” Benavidez told Boxing Scene. “So, I think Ronald Ellis is the opponent right now. We’re not overlooking Ronald Ellis at all. We’re training for this fight like it was a world title fight. We’re taking everything extremely serious. So, I hope that I can get a big fight after this. It doesn’t matter who it is. I’m open to fight whoever right now, so we’re taking this fight very seriously. And then, hopefully, after this fight, with a great performance, another great opportunity will open up.”

The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger was the first to report Tuesday in a Tweet that Benavidez-Ellis is scheduled for March 13.

Benavidez (23-0, 20 KOs) last boxed August 15, when he stopped Colombia’s Alexis Angulo following 10 one-sided rounds at Mohegan Sun Arena. The Phoenix native still lost his WBC super middleweight title the previous day, when he came in nearly three pounds overweight for his optional championship defense against Angulo (26-2, 22 KOs).

That marked the second time Benavidez lost the WBC 168-pound crown without being beaten inside the ring. He first was stripped of that title after he tested positive for cocaine in August 2018.

The Benavidez-Ellis bout will be contested at the super middleweight of 168 pounds, despite Benavidez’s embarrasing problem at the scale five months ago.

“It’s definitely gonna be at super middle,” Benavidez said. “I’m trying to come in at 167 or 168.”

Ellis scored a technical knockout over injured Matt Korobov in his most recent appearance, December 12 at Mohegan Sun Arena. The 38-year-old Korobov (28-4-1, 14 KOs) was ahead on two scorecards through four rounds, but the Russian southpaw couldn’t answer the bell for the start of the fifth round due to an Achilles injury.

The 31-year-old Ellis (18-1-2, 12 KOs, 1 NC), of Lynn, Massachusetts, has lost only a 10-round majority decision to DeAndre Ware (13-3-2, 8 KOs) in February 2019.

“For the four rounds it lasted, [Ellis-Korobov] was a pretty good fight,” Benavidez said. “I think, obviously, Ronald Ellis knows that I’m a big threat. So, I’m expecting the best Ronald Ellis you guys have ever seen. I’m expecting him to be very motivated, very sharp. So, I’m preparing for him accordingly, so you guys will see the best David Benavidez as well.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

TBRB have put Plant at #2.. Moved Benavidez down to #3 and said a win over Ellis may not push him back up to #2.

The Ring are yet to update this month.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Abdukakhorov-Flores On Benavidez-Ellis Showtime Undercard, March 13

Kudratillo Abdukakhorov’s prolonged pursuit of a welterweight title shot will resume March 13.

Boxing Scene has learned that Abdukakhorov will face Javier Flores that night in a 10-round fight Showtime will televise from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Uzbekistan’s Abdukakhorov (17-0, 9 KOs) and Puerto Rico’s Flores (15-2, 13 KOs, 1 NC) will meet on an undercard that’ll feature former WBC super middleweight champ David Benavidez (23-0, 20 KOs) in the main event versus Ronald Ellis (18-1-2, 12 KOs, 1 NC).

The 27-year-old Abdukakhorov will fight next month for the first time since he defeated former WBA champ Luis Collazo (39-8, 20 KOs) by 10th-round technical decision in October 2019 at Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. Abdukakhorov, who is ranked number one by the IBF in the 147-pound division, became the mandatory challenger for Errol Spence Jr.’s IBF welterweight title by beating Collazo.

Abdukakhorov was scheduled to square off against Sergey Lipinets for the IBF interim welterweight title October 24 at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Once Abdukakhorov’s handlers determined that he couldn’t secure a visa to travel to the United States in time for the Lipinets fight, Canada’s Custio Clayton replaced him on approximately two weeks’ notice. Despite that he was a late substitute, the largely unknown Clayton (18-0-1, 12 KOs), who is ranked fourth by the IBF, performed well and battled the third-ranked Lipinets (16-1-1, 12 KOs) to a majority draw in a 12-round main event Showtime televised.

Kazakhstan’s Lipinets is expected to face Philadelphia’s Jaron Ennis (26-0, 24 KOs, 1 NC) in another Showtime main event April 10 at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Abdukakhorov, who had been promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc., signed a promotional deal recently with Sampson Lewkowicz’s company. He is now affiliated with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions as well.

The 34-year-old Flores, meanwhile, will end a 16-month layoff when he battles Abdukakhorov. The strong southpaw knocked out previously unbeaten Mexican Angel Ruiz (16-1, 12 KOs) in the second round of his last fight, which took place in October 2019 in Ontario, California.

Flores previously lost two 10-round unanimous decisions to Ronald Cruz (then 15-1) and Jaime Herrera (then 12-3-1).

[Ruthless-RKO]

We're nt getting many cards, especially due to COVID, but when we are getting cards, they're on the same friggin night!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Isaac Cruz-Jon Fernandez On Benavidez-Ellis Showtime Undercard, 3/13

Isaac Cruz will attempt to build on the most impressive performance of his career March 13.

BS.com has learned that the Mexican lightweight contender and Spain’s Jon Fernandez have agreed to meet in a 10-round bout that night in Uncasville, Connecticut. Showtime will televise the Cruz-Fernandez fight as part of a three-bout broadcast from Mohegan Sun Arena.

The 22-year-old Cruz (20-1-1, 15 KOs) viciously knocked out Diego Magdaleno (32-4, 13 KOs) in the first round of his last fight, a scheduled 12-round IBF elimination match on the Gervonta Davis-Leo Santa Cruz pay-per-view undercard October 31 at Alamodome in San Antonio.

The 25-year-old Fernandez (21-1, 18 KOs) has won five consecutive fights since suffering his lone loss in September 2018. Houston’s O’Shaquie Foster (18-2, 11 KOs) defeated Fernandez by unanimous decision in a 10-rounder that headlined a “ShoBox: The New Generation” card at FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Cruz is the IBF’s second-ranked contender to its lightweight champion, Teofimo Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs), who will face mandatory challenger George Kambosos Jr. (19-0, 10 KOs) in his next fight. Though both boxers have agreed to contractual terms for their bout, the Cruz-Fernandez fight is contingent on Fernandez receiving a visa that’ll allow him to travel from Spain to the United States in time for their bout next month.

Regardless, Showtime’s telecast March 13 will feature former WBC super middleweight champ David Benavidez. Phoenix’s Benavidez (23-0, 20 KOs) is set to encounter Ronald Ellis (18-1-2, 12 KOs, 1 NC), of Lynn, Massachusetts, in the 12-round main event that night.

The third fight Showtime will air March 13 will match Uzbekistan’s Kudratillo Abdukakhorov against Puerto Rico’s Javier Flores. That welterweight bout also is scheduled for 10 rounds.

Abdukakhorov (17-0, 9 KOs) is the IBF’s number one contender for Errol Spence Jr.’s welterweight title. Flores (15-2, 13 KOs, 1 NC) will take a step up in competition versus Abdukakhorov.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Showtime Tripleheader is Official, March 13

[Cent0089]

Would be Benavidez - Ellis winner WBC mandatory ? Or something like that ?

[Ruthless-RKO]

David Benavidez-Ronald Ellis Showtime Tripleheader is Official, March 13

David Benavidez begins his quest to become a three-time super middleweight titlist.

The first step on the latest journey comes March 13, when the unbeaten former two-time title claimant faces Ronald Ellis in a scheduled 12-round title eliminator. The bout will top a Showtime-televised tripleheader—which was formally announced on Tuesday—from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

““I’ve had an amazing camp in Big Bear (California) and this is the strongest I have ever felt,” Benavidez stated of what will amount to a 13-week training camp by the time he arrives on site for fight week. “I’m looking to get an early stoppage against Ellis.

“I’m glad this is a title eliminator and it’s going to be another step to being a world champion once again.”

The winner will move one step closer towards a mandatory title shot versus current unified WBC/WBA super middleweight titlist Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

Benavidez (23-0, 20 KOs) twice held the WBC belt, though losing the strap out of the ring on both occasions. Most recently, the undefeated 24-year old from Phoenix missed weight ahead of an eventual 10th round stoppage of Alexis Angulo in this very venue last August. The win came at the expense of losing his belt at the scale after coming in well above the super middleweight limit.

A short-term suggestion was offered for Benavidez to campaign at light heavyweight, though dismissed by his team who still believes there remains unfinished business at super middleweight.

“On March 13, David Benavídez will move another step closer to regaining his beloved green and gold belt and remind the world he is the best super middleweight in all of boxing,” Sampson Lewkowicz, Benavidez’s promoter stated. “There will be no doubt in anyone’s mind after another spectacular performance by David ‘El Bandera Roja’ Benavídez.”

There exists at least one team who has doubts.

Ellis (18-1-2, 12 KOs) is eager to score his second straight high-profile win, this time in far more conclusive fashion. The 31-year old from Lynn, Massachusetts also picked up a Showtime-televised victory at this location in his most recent start, claiming a stoppage win over former title challenger Matt Korobov last December. Korobov was unable to continue after injuring his ankle, leaving Ellis with a two-fight win streak heading into the toughest test of his career.

“It’s a fight but not just any fight,” said Ellis. “This is the type of fight I have trained for and wanted since I turned pro. He’s going to bring his best on March 13 and that will bring out the best in me.”

Two more bouts were formally announced on Tuesday.

The evening’s chief support pits lightweight contender Isaac Cruz in a scheduled 12-round clash with Argentina’s Matias Romero (24-0, 8 KOs),

Mexico City’s Cruz (20-1-1, 15 KOs) enters on the heels of by far his most emphatic victory, a 1st round knockout of former title challenger Diego Magdaleno on a Showtime Pay-Per-View card last Halloween in San Antonio. The win positioned Cruz as the top-rated IBF lightweight contender and with hopes of securing his first world title fight.

“I’m very excited to be fighting on Showtime on March 13,” said Cruz, who is currently riding a 16-fight unbeaten streak. “The lightweight division is the hottest in boxing right now. This fight puts me one step closer to my dream of winning a world title for my Dad, Isaac Cruz, Sr. and my country, Mexico.”

Romero (24-0, 8 KOs) comes in as a bit of a wild card, fighting in the U.S. for the first time in his career and against an accelerated level of competition. The 24-year old from Cordoba, Argentina is coming off of a 12-round win over Javier Jose Clavero last November, accepting this opportunity in place of Spain’s Jon Fernandez, who was unable to secure a travel visa.

“I’ve come so far from Argentina to bring myself one step closer to reaching my goal of being a world champion,” said Romero. “I know that Isaac Cruz is a big puncher but he’s never fought anyone with my speed and heart.”

Opening the telecast, former title challenger Terrell Gausha faces Jamontay Clark in an all-Ohio junior middleweight clash.

Cleveland’s Gausha (21-2-1, 10 KOs) looks to turn things around as he enters riding a two-fight winless stretch. The 2012 U.S. Olympian and former title challenger returns to this venue following a 10-round loss to Erickson Lubin last September, 16 months after fighting former titlist Austin Trout to a draw in their May 2019 encounter.

“I’m just blessed to be able to do what I love to do,” said Gausha, who is training with Manny Robles for this bout. “I’m excited to be back on PBC and Showtime thanks to Al Haymon.

“On March 13, I’m ready to go out there and show everybody what Terrell Gausha is made of and put on a show.”

Clark aims to prove himself on the contender stage after proving to be a handful for PBC’s best prospects in recent years. The 26-year old southpaw is two fights removed from fighting current Top 10 contender Sebastian Fundora to a 10-round draw in August 2019, with his lone other blemish coming in a 10-round decision defeat to Jeison Rosario, who went on to become a three-belt unified junior middleweight titlist.

The clash with Gausha comes more than a year after his last fight, an eight-round unanimous decision win over Anthony Lenk last February in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

“It’s been a while since I was in the ring and I’m just excited to be back taking on someone like Terrell Gausha, who will bring a good challenge and let me display all of my talents,” Clark said. “This is the first step in getting back to regular action and I’m not going to waste this opportunity.

“I’m going on a big run after I beat Gausha. As McFadden and Whitehead said, ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.’”

Appearing off-TV, unbeaten welterweight contender Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (17-0, 9 KOs) will face Puerto Rico’s Javier Flores (15-2, 13 KOs, 1 NC). Abdukakhorov—a native of Uzbekistan—fights for the first time since a technical decision win over former titlist Luis Collazo in Oct. 2019, with the bout versus Flores marking his debut under the PBC banner.

[apollo creed]

Benavidez did a big mistake by losing his wbc smw title on the scale. He has a few options at 168 lbs. Plant would just want to cash in vs Canelo and Mall Charlo is at 160 lbs staying idle. Benavidez should stay active and disciplined fighting guys like Ryder or Lemieux.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight week!

[Thomastearns]

This might not be as one sided as some might expect.

With so many big names already ducking Benavidez (Canelo, Charlo etc) full credit must go to Ellis for stepping up after his win over the unlucky Korobov.

[Perkin Warbeck]

This might not be as one sided as some might expect.

I agree - there is a real chance of an upset here, although I think Benavidez will probably win.

[margaret thatcher]

Disagree, Benavidez levels above, watch ellis's fights vs ware, younan, and korobov

[Ruthless-RKO]

Disagree, Benavidez levels above, watch ellis's fights vs ware, younan, and korobov

KO incoming?

[Ruthless-RKO]

David Benavidez: I could beat Canelo 100% right now

David Benavidez says he’s confident that he would beat Canelo Alvarez right now if the fight happened this year. The 24-year-old former WBC super middleweight champion Benavidez (23-0, 20 KOs) feels he’s got the size, power, youth, and the perfect style to defeat the 30-year-old Canelo Alvarez.

This Saturday, on March 13th, Benavidez will be fighting in a 12-round WBC super middleweight title eliminator against Ronald Ellis (18-1-2, 12 KOs) on Showtime at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

If ‘El Bandera Roja’ Benavidez wins this fight, he’ll be Canelo’s WBC mandatory challenger, and he’ll need to face him, vacate, or eventually get stripped of his title by the World Boxing Council.

Benavidez doesn’t possess a world title at 168 to lure the belt-driven Canelo to fight him, as the Mexican superstar has decided that he wants to collect all the belts in the division.

Benavidez ready to beat Canelo

“I could beat Canelo right now, to be honest with you. If I fight, I’m 100% confident I could beat Canelo,” said Benavidez to ESPN.

“With the news guys, 50 percent of the people believe in me, and 50 percent of the people know that he doesn’t have a chance at all.

“But if you look at the type of fighter I am, great jab, great body shot, great uppercuts, great punch selection, I’m able to put some great punches together.

“I don’t just stand there in front of somebody, letting somebody hit me. The people that Canelo has fought just stand there; they just stay there.

“They have no head movement, they have no combinations, and they don’t even throw jabs. So I feel like I’m a completely different type of fighter,” said Benavidez in comparing himself to the guys that Canelo has been facing.

Canelo’s recent opponents have been little more than non-thinking punching bags with the way they’ve stood immobile and let him pound away at them.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Gausha-Clark presser quotes

In Connecticut on Saturday, junior middleweights Terrell Gausha (pictured) and Jamontay Clark battle each other in the ten-round Showtime telecast opener. A former Olympian, Gausha is 21-2-1 but coming off a loss to Erickson Lubin. Two fights ago, Clark (15-1-1) had a draw with Sebastian Fundora, who has firmly established himself as a contender. Clark followed up that draw with a February 2020 win over Anthony Lenk. Here is what Gausha and Clark had to say at the final press conference:

TERRELL GAUSHA

“Training camp has been good, I put all the work in, and my weight is great. I never pay attention to the odds because I have been an underdog my whole life. This is a good fight, and I look forward to putting on a dominant performance Saturday.

“With the Erickson Lubin fight I feel like I learned a lot that I was able to correct in training camp. One of the main things I need to do is let my hands go more with a southpaw and be effective. I look forward to landing some good shots an getting it done earlier.

“It definitely makes this second time in the bubble so much easier now that I have experience doing it. My coach always says we either win or learn. So I am taking that and my experience as a fighter into the ring with me.

“We have a lot of pride coming from Ohio, and we all want to be the top dog. So I am looking forward to showing I am the one.

“I like challenges, and I never say no to a fight. When I hear them say I have a problem with southpaws and I do not let my hands go, it gives me motivation to prove people wrong and impress the fans.”

JAMONTAY CLARK

“Everything has been going pretty smooth. I’m just ready to get it on and get it over with. My first time in the bubble; it’s different but everything has been going smooth so far. My weight is pretty down so I’m just ready to go, ready for Saturday.

“Gausha is a slow starter. I’m going to press the issue and give the boy the business. I’m going to come out and be the best me I can be. I’m going for the gusto but I’m not going in there looking for the knockout. If it comes, it comes but I’m definitely coming out on top.

“Gausha will be a nice name on my resume. Hopefully this puts me into title contention. I’m looking forward to big fights and big paydays. We’ll do it on SHOWTIME hopefully.”

[Thomastearns]

Wow, it's all happening at once!

Chocolatito v Estrada 2 (after 9 years) and Benavidez v Ellis.

Canelo will be no doubt be watching ....and getting ready to vacate.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Benavidez (23-0, 20 KOs) weighed in at 167.2 pounds.

Ellis (18-1-2, 12 KOs) also weighed 167.2 pounds.

[margaret thatcher]

Wow, it's all happening at once!

Chocolatito v Estrada 2 (after 9 years) and Benavidez v Ellis.

Canelo will be no doubt be watching ....and getting ready to vacate.

I mean first you said this might not be as one-sided as expected, then you think Canelo gonna vacate because of these dudes? LOL if anyone is having any problems with Ron Ellis then canelo aint gonna be worried at all

[cormack]

expect DB to come out smokin for a KO
anything less is going to make him look silly..

[Ruthless-RKO]

Benavidez won via 11th round stoppage.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Cent0089]

So, is Benavidez mandatory for Plant now ?

[NateJR]

I think Benavidez is 3rd best at SMW. I'd favor him against Plant and probably Saunders, I feel he's a bit too raw for the more technical and explosive guys like Jermall and Canelo. I'd actually favor both of them to stop Benavidez. Hopefully we get to find out.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I think Benavidez is 3rd best at SMW. I'd favor him against Plant and probably Saunders, I feel he's a bit too raw for the more technical and explosive guys like Jermall and Canelo. I'd actually favor both of them to stop Benavidez. Hopefully we get to find out.

Jermall is at 160 isn’t he?