Anthony Dirrell vs. David Benavidez - September 28, 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

Multiple sources have advised Boxing-Scene.com that WBC super middleweight champion Anthony Dirrell (33-1-1) will face WBC champion "in recess" David Benavidez (21-0) on the Deontay Wilder-Luis Ortiz 2 pay-per-view undercard. The card is being targeted for September 28th in Los Angeles.

[jamamb]

not bad

[diddy]

Benavidez. Dirrell has 1 foot into retirement. He even said it.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Errol Spence Jr.-Shawn Porter, Anthony Dirrell-David Benavidez set for September 28th PPV

The event takes place at Staples Center in Los Angeles

Good news: awesome doubleheader. Bad news: pay-per-view.

Lance Pugmire reports that the long-brewing welterweight unification between Errol Spence Jr. and Shawn Porter will take place September 28th at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, while Mike Coppinger adds that David Benavidez will challenge Anthony Dirrell for the WBC super middleweight title in the pay-per-view co-feature.

According to Pugmire, an official announcement could come “by this weekend.”

We’ve known about both fights for a while; Dirrell (33-1-1, 24 KO) vs. Benavidez (21-0, 18 KO) was originally thought to be part of the Deontay Wilder-Luis Ortiz II undercard, but that fight was recently pushed back to November. Spence (25-0, 21 KO) vs. Porter (30-2-1, 17 KO), meanwhile, had been tentatively linked to Barclays Center, which both men have frequently patronized in recent years.

From a matchmaking and entertainment standpoint, this is a terrific pair of fights. Can’t say I agree with locking the card behind a paywall, though, especially since PBC will want as many eyes on Spence as possible while they work on a Terence Crawford unification. Plus, Benavidez has the tools to be a star, so he could use as much exposure as possible.

[J.Rotherhithe]

Decent match-up but Benavdiez via wide decision for me.

[gilgamesh]

Benavidez by UD all day long. Won't even be close. Wouldn't be the most shocking thing if Dirrell quit somewhere along the way, but I'll lean toward him lasting the distance.

[oogiebe]

I can see Benavidez stopping Dirrell late.

[boxing_rocks]

Benavidez is getting his belt back with a potential to land Canelo.

[oogiebe]

Benavidez is getting his belt back with a potential to land Canelo.

I think he can win that too.

[KiwiRider]

Benavidez. Dirrell has 1 foot into retirement. He even said it.

Hope your right. There are so few boxers I actively don't like, maybe 2% or less. Both Dirrell's are in that 2%.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Dirrell vs. Benavidez promises to be a hotly contested battle for the WBC Super Middleweight title. Dirrell is a two-time WBC 168-pound world champion and will bring experience, while Benavidez will bring his high-octane style.

The 34-year-old Dirrell (33-1-1, 24 KOs) won the WBC title for the first time with a unanimous decision over Sakio Bika in 2014. The native of Flint, Michigan lost the title the next year to Badou Jack by majority decision. He put together six straight victories after that loss to get back into position to fight for the championship again. He won the title with a technical decision victory over Avni Yildirim in February on FS1. Dirrell is the younger brother of Andre Dirrell, who won a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. Olympic boxing team in 2004.

"I'm going to work my butt off, putting in extra hours in the gym, because this is one of the toughest opponents I've ever fought,'' Dirrell said. "He's young and he's tough. But I'm more than ready for anything that he can bring. I bring an exciting fight. He knows that. The world knows that. He can talk, but nothing matters but what happens in the ring. I wanted this fight to be out west because I will fight anybody anywhere. It's only two people in the ring and we're going to give a good entertaining fight for the fans.''

Benavidez (21-0, 18 KOs) won the WBC title with a split decision victory over Ronald Gavril in 2017. Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, Benavidez successfully defended the title with a more convincing unanimous decision over Gavril in the rematch four months later. The 22-year-old returned to the ring to score an impressive knockout victory over veteran J'Leon Love in March on the Spence vs. Garcia PBC on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View.

"I'm looking forward to reclaiming my WBC belt in my next fight against Anthony Dirrell," said Benavidez. "This fight is overdue and I guarantee I will be ready for whatever he brings to the ring. The fans are really going to enjoy this one.''

[Ruthless-RKO]

Both have said they are looking for KO wins.

[gilgamesh]

Benavidez is gonna win this easy.

The Dirrell's got no heart, and Benavidez is a young phenom. He'll win almost every round if not every round.

[gilgamesh]

Benavidez. Dirrell has 1 foot into retirement. He even said it.

Hope your right. There are so few boxers I actively don't like, maybe 2% or less. Both Dirrell's are in that 2%.

I'm with you. I hate the Dirrell's.

[Onetimeonly]

Benavidez is getting his belt back with a potential to land Canelo.

I think he can win that too.

He cant land it. No way.

[margaret thatcher]

Anthony never really annoyed me, his brother was a bit of a crybaby moaner though, which is a shame as he had some serious talent.

[Onetimeonly]

Anthony never really annoyed me, his brother was a bit of a crybaby moaner though, which is a shame as he had some serious talent.

Same, Anthony fought through cancer, his brother flopped on the canvas like a bitch.

[ironbeard]

This is a great undercard match. Still thinking of going.

We need to show support for legit cards. This is one of them.

[Ruthless-RKO]

This is a great undercard match. Still thinking of going.

You gonna go then mate?

[ironbeard]

This is a great undercard match. Still thinking of going.

You gonna go then mate?

It is not looking like it. I have an obligation upstate that day. Sucks since I have to be right there on Monday.

[Ruthless-RKO]

You gonna go then mate?

It is not looking like it. I have an obligation upstate that day. Sucks since I have to be right there on Monday.

Unlucky mate. You gonna be able to catch it on telly?

[ironbeard]

It is not looking like it. I have an obligation upstate that day. Sucks since I have to be right there on Monday.

Unlucky mate. You gonna be able to catch it on telly?

Likely have to see it after the fact.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight week.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Benavidez is known for his knockout power, but Dirrell is not worried.

"This is going to be a good fight. David Benavidez is a warrior and I don't take anything away from him. But I know that I have all the tools to beat him. He's never fought someone like me. Everyone he knocked out, he was supposed to knock out," Dirrell said.

"I have everything I need in my arsenal. I'm versatile. I can switch it up if I need to. If I need to sit in the pocket, I can. If I need to box, I can. I just don't think Benavidez is what everyone makes him out to be. I'm going for the knockout. I go for the knockout in every fight. If it doesn't happen, I can still go 12 rounds and come out victorious."

Dirrell realizes that some critics view him as the underdog, but he's not concerned about that.

"This win would build my legacy. Some people expect me to lose, and I'm happy about that. This just takes my career to another level," Dirrell said.

"I'm not looking past this fight. I'm focused on David Benavidez. After this fight I can talk about unification or whatever. Put first I have to take care of David. I've seen Benavidez fight before. My coaches have watched him closely and will come up with the game plan. He's quick, but we'll be ready."

[Evander]

Benavidez in 6