At the age of 15, David Benavidez weighed 260 lbs and appeared to lack the necessary discipline to pursue a career in professional boxing or achieve a world title.
However, over time he underwent significant changes and ultimately became a world champion at the impressive age of 20.
Since he was three years old, the American had been involved in boxing. However, when he reached his early teenage years and decided to take a break from the sport, complications arose.
His weight shifted as things got out of control.
“I stopped training for two years and ate everything — McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Burger King, a strict fast-food diet,” Los Angeles Times
Upon his return to the gym, it became evident that the young Benavidez possessed exceptional abilities as he was already engaged in sparring sessions with the legendary boxer Gennady Golovkin who was at the peak of his career.
Despite being a participant in the same ring, Benavidez was not aware of the identity of his opponent. “When I first met him, I didn’t know who he was.
“I remember looking across the ring, he was getting ready, and he just gave me this penetrating look. It was horrifying, to be honest with you,” he added.
After a year, Benavidez entered the professional boxing world at the age of 16 with an unbeaten amateur record of 15-0. He won all of his first 18 fights and earned a chance to fight for a world title against Ronald Gavril.
15-year-old David Benavidez talking about his sparring sessions with GGG, Nobuhiro Ishida, Peter Quillin, and Kelly Pavlik #Boxing #BenavidezPlant 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🥊🥊🥊🥊🥊🥊🥊
🎥: @Seckbach pic.twitter.com/eFJ8Lgsy4Y
— Danny (@dantheboxingman) March 21, 2023
After defending his world title against Gavril in a rematch, Benavidez was unable to make his second defence as he was found positive for Benzoylecgonine, a primary compound present in cocaine, which led to his belt being taken away.
Benavidez made a comeback to the world title mix after fighting J’Leon Love, and within a year, he had the opportunity to compete against Anthony Dirrell. In the ninth round of the fight, he knocked out Dirrell and reclaimed his WBC world title.
Despite winning his next fight against Colombian fighter Roamer Alexis Angulo, Benavidez’s time as a belt holder was short-lived as he was once again stripped of the title due to his failure to meet weight requirements.
Following his defeat, Benavidez’s chances of reclaiming his title were hindered as Canelo Alvarez, the current super middleweight champion, had secured all the belts.
However, Benavidez may have a chance to face Canelo if he manages to win his upcoming fight against Caleb Plant on March 25th, 2023.
With that being said, there is plenty on the line.