Jose Benavidez Jr.: record, next fight and profile →
By Cliff Rold - Even coming off a near layoff of more than eighteen months, there are reasons to think former lineal Jr. welterweight champion Danny Garcia is making his Jr. middleweight debut in a mismatch on Saturday (Showtime, 9 PM EST).
Jose Benavidez Jr. is more aware than anyone that his pedestrian performance in his last fight didn’t meet expectations. The former welterweight contender couldn’t get rid of Francisco Torres the way he anticipated. Then Benavidez pressed when the Argentinean underdog didn’t go away as quickly the lopsided odds suggested and Torres almost pulled off what would’ve been one of boxing’s biggest upsets of 2021.
Danny Garcia, Jose Benavidez Weights Photos Gallery - Garcia vs. Benavidez will see two-division world champion and Brooklyn fan-favorite Danny “Swift” Garcia making his super welterweight debut against exciting contender Jose Benavidez Jr. in a 12-round showdown that headlines a stacked tripleheader Saturday, July 30 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in Brooklyn in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions. (photos by Stephanie Trapp, Amanda Westcott)
Danny Garcia was one pound overweight the last time he arrived at Barclays Center for a weigh-in. Garcia made the welterweight limit that day for his 12-round fight versus Ivan Redkach in January 2020, but the Philadelphia native knew he wouldn’t be able to fight in the 147-pound division much longer. The former junior welterweight and welterweight champion had no such issue Friday.
Danny Garcia needed a mental break from boxing. The former junior welterweight and welterweight champion competed twice in 2020, once just before the COVID-19 pandemic began and again 10 months later in one of the biggest fights of his career. As thankful as he is to have earned a multi-million-dollar paycheck to box during the middle of a global health crisis, Garcia was exhausted by the time he got to fight night to challenge Spence for his IBF and WBC welterweight titles in December 2020.
Jose Benavidez Jr. wasn’t the least bit surprised Danny Garcia chose him as the opponent for Garcia’s 154-pound debut. Philadelphia’s Garcia has fought a long list of elite-level welterweights and junior welterweights during his 14-year professional career. Benavidez’s substandard performance in his last fight probably factored into Garcia’s decision, too, but Benavidez believes Garcia has made a matchmaking mistake.
Danny Garcia, Jose Benavidez Final Press Conference Photos Gallery - Two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia and exciting contender Jose Benavidez Jr. went face-to-face at a final press conference on Thursday and gave verbal clues of the explosive action they plan to dish out in a super welterweight clash set for this Saturday, July 30 headlining live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in Brooklyn in a Premier Boxing Champions event. (photos by Amanda Westcott, Stephanie Trapp)
NEW YORK – Danny Garcia grabbed the microphone from his father toward the end of a press conference Thursday at Barclays Center.
By Cliff Rold - It’s been almost nine years since Danny Garcia defeated Lucas Matthysse in what might have been his finest hour. When it was over, there was no argument. Garcia was the best Jr. welterweight in the world and then… It could feel like Garcia has been chasing that night ever since, but the pace of his career makes that a hard case.
Danny Garcia, Jose Benavidez Workouts Photos Gallery - Two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia and exciting contender Jose Benavidez Jr. kicked off fight week events on Wednesday showing off their skills and claiming they would be the better fighter at super welterweight during a media workout ahead of their showdown this Saturday, July 30 headlining live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in Brooklyn in a Premier Boxing Champions event. (photos Amanda Westcott/Stephanie Trapp)