Benavidez vs Gavril set for Showtime, September 8

The vacant WBC super middleweight title fight between David Benavidez and Ronald Gavril is now fully, officially set for Friday, September 8, with Showtime televising from the Hard Rock in Las Vegas.

Benavidez (18-0, 17 KO) is a 20-year-old prospect with big power and a thirst for action, as he showed in his last fight, a win over Rogelio “Porky” Medina. Benavidez had to work for it, dropping Medina three times, but he scored the stoppage win in the eighth round.

Gavril (18-1, 14 KO) is stepping in to replace Anthony Dirrell in the fight. He’s the underdog here, a fringe contender who has won seven straight after a 2015 loss to Elvin Ayala.

“This opportunity means the world to me,” said Benavidez. “I’ve been working for his since I was a little kid. It’s all come down to this moment when I’m ready to take this belt and take over the 168-pound division. The time is almost here, and I can hardly wait for September 8. Winning the championship would be enough on its own. But the opportunity to be the youngest in the sport is a major accomplishment and the biggest of my life, so far. I have a tough competitor in front of me, and I know he’s treating it as seriously as I am. I’ve been working for two and a half months for this fight and I’m not overlooking him.”

“It’s been a great journey for me getting to this point of fighting for a world title,” said Gavril. “I have a great team behind me who pushes me every single day to perform my best, learn from my mistakes and perfect my technique. Those values have gotten me here and I am thankful for such an amazing opportunity. I will go out there and give it everything I have, I can’t leave the ring without the championship belt.”

Two more super middleweights fights are set for the Showtime televised card. J’Leon Love (23-1, 13 KO) will face Abraham Han (26-3, 16 KO), and Caleb Plant (15-0, 10 KO) will meet Alan Campa (16-3, 11 KO). Both fights are set for 10 rounds.