The Fighting Style of David Benavidez
David ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez truly lives up to his nickname.
Widely recognized as a relentless brawler, Benavidez stalks his opponents, beating them to a pulp until they beg to be saved by the ref.
With an undefeated record of 29 wins and 0 losses (an impressive 82.8% knockout rate) - and having won the WBC Super Middleweight Title twice, as well as the WBC Interim Light Heavyweight Title in June this year…
David Benavidez is a force to be reckoned with.
This article delves into the details of Benavidez's unique and entertaining boxing style, breaking down the strategies that shape the way he fights.
David Benavidez’s Early Career
David Benavidez started his boxing journey at an early age.
Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona he was introduced to the sport by his father when he was three years old carrying on a family tradition deeply rooted in boxing.
Surrounded by a boxing atmosphere with his brother Jose, also pursuing a career in boxing - Benavidez embraced the sport early on.
Benavidez's professional career kickstarted with seven victories in Mexico providing him with ring time and experience.
His big-time moment arrived in 2017 when he clinched the WBC middleweight title at the age of 20, becoming the youngest super middleweight champion in boxing history.
However, challenges such as not making weight and disciplinary issues have posed obstacles on his journey, resulting in him being stripped twice.
Despite these challenges, Benavidez’s skill, determination, and love for the sweet science have helped him come back to win the WBC Interim Light Heavyweight Title in June, beating Oleksandr Gvozdyk by decision.
David Benavidez’s Mexican Style Of Boxing
In David Benavidez’s blood flows the Mexican Style of boxing.
The Mexican fighting style is defined by its relentless pressure, close-range warfare, and emphasis on masterful combinations all of which play a crucial role in David Benavidezs fighting strategy.
Mexican Style fighters love to brawl - and it’s beautiful to watch.
While he embodies the spirit of fighters through his relentless pressure and willingness to trade blows, Benavidez’s fighting technique is also shaped by leveraging his attributes like height and reach. These attributes enable him to outmaneuver opponents from a distance when required.
In addition to his approach, he also demonstrates prowess by effectively utilizing his jab to manage distance and set up powerful combinations.
This unique combination of aggression and calculated precision makes Benavidez’s style highly effective, and dangerous for any opponent.
We dive deep into the history of the Mexican Style in this article.
David Benavidez’s Tall Stance & High Guard
The first thing you’ll notice about Benavidez is his tall upright stance.
While rigid at times, this defensive position effectively shields his head and upper body. In this stance, Benavidez applies a textbook high guard that acts as a base for him to switch quickly from defense to offense.
Benavidez doesn't just stick to one guard position; he adjusts it based on the situation.
While the high guard protects him from head punches, he’ll often lower it slightly to create openings for attacks when throwing his jab.
This spear-jab often thrown from a slightly lower angle, disrupts opponents and keeps them at a distance while also setting up his stronger combos.
Additionally, Benavidez occasionally adopts a Philly Shell stance adding an element of unpredictability to both his defense and offense strategies.
This change in stance and guard gives Benavidez different looks and creates openings for him to attack, keeping his opponents thinking
David Benavidez’s Vicious Counterpunching
An underrated part of David Benavidez’s game is his counterpunching.
Given Benavidez’s size, you’d think he’d rely on his size and reach advantages. However, Benavidez takes full advantage of his high guard to lure opponents into attacking him, setting up his counterpunching.
Counterpunching is 1 / 5 of the most effective styles of boxing. Some of the greatest fighters in history were counter punchers, the most notable being Floyd Mayweather. We cover the other 4 styles in this article.
Many opponents make the mistake of thinking they can breach his defense, only to discover their punches landing on Benavidez's gloves or forearms. This approach allows Benavidez to stay coiled - ready to strike.
His counterpunching is not just reactive; it is also a strategy to dictate the tempo of the fight. Benavidez frequently waits for his opponents to commit to a punch then promptly retaliates with a powerful combination.
His skill, in delivering counterattacks can shift the momentum of a fight especially when he catches opponents off guard or overextended.
This counterpunching ability, coupled with his strength makes him a foe who can exploit any mistake an opponent makes on the chess board.
There is a reason why they call him the ‘Mexican Monster.’
David Benavidez’s Brutal Pressure & Work Rate
Benavidez is at his best when he’s on his front foot applying pressure.
He excels at walking down opponents and forcing them into weaker positions by cutting off their movement around the ring - often pushing them against the ropes or trapping them in corners.
This continuous punishment can be daunting, as Benavidez leverages his size and power to dominate the exchanges. His spear jab is a powerful weapon in this strategy, helping him manage distance and ring control.
When applying pressure, Benavidez demonstrates patience and precision refraining from attacks - and instead waiting for the right moment to strike.
Benavidez also has a knack for mixing his quick combinations, making it tough for opponents to defend since they can't anticipate his next move.
David Benavidez’s Forearm Control
When up close, Benavidez uses forearm control to establish dominance.
This technique involves using his forearm to manage the opponent's movements and create opportunities for punches. While this strategy can be controversial and skirt the line of legality - Benavidez executes it with such speed and precision, that it often slips under the radar of referees.
Another fighter who has mastered forearm control is ‘The Matrix’, Vasily Lomachenko - we break down his forearm control and fighting style here.
Alongside this technique, Benavidez swarms his opponents inside with lightning-fast combinations. Once they’re hurt, he turns the heat on.
Benavidez's prowess in close-range combat makes him a dominant fighter up close, capable of landing fight-ending blows at any given moment.
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Résumé.
David Benavidez’s boxing style is a beautiful fusion of controlled aggression, explosive strength, hand speed, and technical expertise.
His relentless pressure application, paired with counterpunching skills and strong inside game is why they call him the ‘Mexican Monster’. Fighting David Benavidez is like being hunted by a hummingbird with a hammer.
Constant. Overwhelming. Pressure.
Still, very early into his career, we are excited about what lies for David Benavidez as he shows promise of becoming a legend in our sport.
With an undefeated record of 29-0, who will stop his path of destruction?
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