By Ryan Burton
On September 8th, super middleweight contender Ronald Gavril (18-2) came within a whisker of capturing a world title when he dropped a split decision to David Benavidez (19-0). One judge had the fight 116-111 for Gavril but was overruled by the other two judges who had the bout 117-111 and 116-111 for Benavidez who became the youngest super middleweight champion in the history of the sport.
BoxingScene.com was recently advised by both Benavidez and his promoter Sampson Lewkowicz that he will likely face Gavril in January in an immediate rematch.
Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe is also very interested in securing the rematch for Gavril but cautioned that an agreement hasn't yet been reached.
"We don't have a date yet but that is the fight that Ronald wants. That is the fight that Floyd wants. Ronald and his team and Floyd and I all want that fight. We are definitely working on making that rematch come to fruition. Timing wise we are working on that also. Mayweather Promotions has a number of exciting things coming up in the first quarter of the year and we will be looking forward to making it all happen," Ellerbe stated.
The fight was very close and opinions on who won the fight were mixed by observers in attendance at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Ellerbe thought that his fighter had done enough to come out of the fight with his hand raised.
"I thought Ronald had won the fight. It was a very close fight. Benavidez is a tough young fighter who has a tremendous amount of skills but Ronald proved on that night that not only is he here to stay - we thought he pulled that victory out - but he will get a chance to win that world title from Benavidez come the top of the year," Ellerbe told BoxingScene.com.
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