Former WBC super middleweight world champion David Benavidez, 22-years-old, already has dreams of entering the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Benavidez made his first visit to the IBHOF last weekend in Canastota, New York. His promoter Sampson Lewkowicz was at his side.
The young boxer has already begun training for a planned fall showdown with current WBC super middleweight champ Anthony Dirrell.
According to Lewkowicz, the young boxer held a couple of public sparring sessions and battered three different boxers.
“Everyone thought he was showing off. But it was three guys trying to beat David. It was crazy,” Lewkowicz told Premier Boxing Champions. “One was a heavyweight who quit in the third round because he couldn’t take any more punishment. The second guy he was toying with, and the third guy he left bleeding from the nose and mouth. He beat up the three of them.”
Benavidez lost his title when he tested positive for cocaine and was stripped. The vacant belt was later captured by Dirrell.
Lewkowicz believes Benavidez grew up in the aftermath.
“He was a real man when he publicly apologized to the fans and the people and to our industry that he made a mistake. And that is the defining moment for him,” Lewkowicz said.
Benevidez, who back in March demolished J'Leon Love, expects a real fight with Dirrell
“It’s going to be a great fight. He’s a great champion, but I feel like I’m still the champion because I never got beat for my belt,” Benavidez says. “It’s basically going to be champion versus champion and you can expect fireworks all night long.
“We’re right back in contention for a world title, so everything is playing how it’s supposed to play, and I’m learning from my mistakes, and I’m getting older, and wiser and continuing to work harder. I’m getting stronger through the years, mentally and physically.”