Despite two belts already to his credit, this might be the biggest fight in the career of David Benavidez (Showtime, 9 PM EST). It’s definitely the biggest for Kyrone Davis.

Early reports have last weekend’s Saul Alvarez-Caleb Plant fight doing north of 800,000 buys on pay-per-view. In prizefighting, no prize is worth more than cold hard cash. Benavidez, as the former WBC titlist at super middleweight who twice lost the title outside the ring, is rated as the organization's leading contender.

Alvarez has all the straps. 

The microscope has never been more intense for Benavidez. Opportunity has never knocked as loud for Davis.  

Let’s get into it. 

Stats and Stakes

David Benavidez

Age: 24

Titles: None

Previous Titles: WBC Super Middleweight (2017-18; 19-20)

Height: 6’0 

Weight: 169 lbs.

Stance: Orthodox

Hails from: Phoenix, Arizona

Record: 24-0, 21 KO

Press Rankings: #1 (TBRB, Ring), #2 (ESPN), #7 (BoxRec) 

Record in Major Title Fights: 3-0, 1 KO

Last Five Opponents: 119-7-4 (.931)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Anthony Dirrell KO9 

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None

Vs. 

Kyrone Davis 

Age: 27

Title/Previous Titles: None

Height: 5’10    

Weight: 167 ¾ lbs.

Stance: Orthodox

Hails from: Wilmington, Delaware

Record: 16-2-1, 6 KO 

Rankings: Unranked

Record in Major Title Fights: No Title Opportunities

Last Five Opponents: 68-13-2 (.945)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Anthony Dirrell D12 

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None

The Pick: Kyrone Davis playing spoiler might be unlikely but it’s not impossible. He comported himself well in a big step up against Dirrell and had a case for winning there. He’s coming in this weekend on short notice and has to make the most of it. Davis is crafty at close range and has a sneaky, quick counter right. The problem for Davis will be Benavidez also has quick hands, and they land with sudden authority. Benavidez brings a high volume attack and fights with a looseness that can allow him to land in small windows from awkward spaces. Benavidez-Alvarez has some buzz about it. The pick is Benavidez to win in a fight more entertaining than some might expect, to keep moving in that direction.

Additional Weekend Pick

Jaime Munguia TKO Gabriel Rosado

Rold Picks 2020: 38-12

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com