Was Gvozdyk Taking It Easy On Benavidez? Fans React to Controversial Decision

Fans on social media surprisingly believe that Oleksandr Gvozdyk took David Benavidez for granted, staying in first gear throughout Saturday night’s fight for their WBC interim light heavyweight title at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.

(Photo credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions)

The way Gvozdyk (20-2, 16 KOs) outboxed and outworked Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) from the sixth round was terrifying, as he looked levels above the ‘Mexican Monster’ in terms of skill.

Benavidez’s Empty Victory

I understand why fans believe that Gvozdyk didn’t try to win because it was too easy for him, and Benavidez looked bad. Whatever limited success Benavidez had over the years against Gvozdyk meant nothing because he showed nothing in the fight, and he never seemed to win.

The scores were 116-112, 117-111, and 119-109.

I watched the fight twice and found Gvozdyk winning rounds 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. None of those rounds were close, as Gvozdyk was pounding away at a tired looking Benavidez, making him eat punches and miss with his wild shots.

Benavidez’s fans were happy with the decision, but it was a holy victory. He looked dejected, and his later excuses for injuries were pathetic. A classic example of a fighter who can’t admit he doesn’t have what it takes.

Request for Benavidez to return to 168

It would be better for Benavidez to move back down to 168, where his size, strength, skills, and work rate allow him to succeed. He can’t do it at 175, where guys are his size and have more power.

Even against Gvozdyk, who wasn’t landing his shots, Benavidez was powerless. Gvozdyk had the better power and didn’t even try to put anything in his fists.

The judges gave Benavidez a surprisingly wide twelve-round decision, but it wasn’t a real breakthrough.

Benavidez’s performance has been so poor that he and his team must decide whether it’s worth it to continue in the 175-lb division and fight for the vacant light heavyweight title against the winner of the October 12 fight between IBF/WBC/WBO champion Artur Beterbiev. and WBA champion Dmitry Bivol.

Benavidez’s lack of Light Heavyweight

Benavidez will not beat the winner or loser of Bivol vs. Bivol, even the same group of judges who worked on last Saturday night’s fight. Two-time WBC super middleweight champion Benavidez is lacking in the three areas he would need to have a chance to win the undisputed championship at 175:

– Power
– Skills
– Size

If Benavidez stays at light heavyweight, his popularity will disappear after he loses to Bivol or Beterbiev and is forced to return to the 168-lb division with his tail tucked between his legs.

The way Benavidez looked last night, he will lose the following weights:

– Artur Beterbiev
– Dmitry Bivol
– Anthony Yarde
– Willy Hutchinson