Comments Thread For: Callum Smith Sees Flaws That He Can Exploit in David Benavidez

[MDPopescu]

Benitez win a world title at 17 and defended it twice in the same year. That's three world title fights.

Ray Leonard won his title at age 23 and defended it or fought to regain it four times in the space of one year.


.David's performance is not unprecedented or even unusual. Defending his title at 23 is to expected.

... Now: Wilfred Benitez was 21 yo, back then in 1979... and Sugar Ray Leonard immediately ko'd him (at the welter)...

[Adamsc151]

There's loads of holes in the style of Benavidez, he is winning fights on brute force and nothing else at the moment.
He's only a kid though really, so there's time to add strings to his bow. At the moment I think Smith would win as he is probably the only top 168 fighter that is too big to get bullied by Benavidez, plus his skill set is currently far superior (think, a bigger version of Groves-Eubank Jnr). How long does it stay that way though? They could both realistically fight each other in 3 separate weight divisions before one or both retires as well.

[TonyGe]

... Now: Wilfred Benitez was 21 yo, back then in 1979... and Sugar Ray Leonard immediately ko'd him (at the welter)...

That was an excellent fight. Benitez got a really bad cut from a clash of heads and then got dropped in the last round for good.

[tophat1]

You cant be a champion and a prospect at the same time.

100% true. None of this learning on the job nonsense. Once you take the leap to world title level you should be ready for the best available challenges

[MDPopescu]

That was an excellent fight. Benitez got a really bad cut from a clash of heads and then got dropped in the last round for good.

... you mean this one:

[TonyGe]

... you mean this one:

Rays hand speed, variety of punches and power. Wow.. As I was watching this I was thinking of the adage styles make fights. Leonard beat Benitez. Benitez beat Duran. Duran beat Leonard. Leonard changes his style and wins the rematch with Duran. Hadn't seen this fight in years. Excellent fight.

[kidbazooka]

Smith is so ordinary it’s ridiculous he has that typical upright euro style he’s very stiff and basic with his attack.

Ppl will be surprised how easily David beats him.

[Mammoth]

Say what you want about Benavidez ...... You don’t go from facing John Ryder and Hassan Ndou to David Benavidez. Callum will be in for a VERY big surprise when he gets in there with David. David will best this lanky kid pillar to post.

David's resume isn't anything great either though is it?

[sammybee]

Benavidez is a beast !!!!

[Lefty0616]

I like Benavidez, but he was slightly exposed in his fight against Dirrell. He seemed very one dimensional. He could probably be beaten on points. He used his size over Dirrell very effectively in the beginning of their bout....but as it progressed Dirrell started to swing the fight in his favor. Had it not been for a very bothersome cut caused to Dirrell, I could've seen the fight turning out very differently....in favor of Dirrell. Benavidez is trained by his father. They may need to add more direction in Benavidez's corner to add to his dimensions as a fighter....or else he might find himself there for the taking.