Benavidez vs. Gvozdyk: Expert Predictions
On June 15 in Las Vegas, USA, American David Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) and Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KOs) will compete for the interim WBC light heavyweight title (up to 79.4 kg). Boxers and experts have shared their opinions on the upcoming fight and made their predictions.
WBC interim super welterweight champion Serhii Bohachuk believes in his compatriot’s victory: "I really want, hope, and believe that Gvozdyk will win this fight. He has everything for it. He has a lot of experience, is very strong, disciplined, and a great boxer who deserves this victory. I think he will win this fight," Bohachuk told Tribuna.com.
Former champion Chris Algieri thinks Gvozdyk could be a serious test for the American: "Recently, Gvozdyk had a few fights. He had a 4-5 year break, then came back and got a couple of wins that are not indicative. Oleksandr is a very athletic guy, a good athlete, and has a great build for this weight category. This is his natural weight class, and David is moving up to fight him. I think Gvozdyk has enough boxing skills, power, and experience to test Benavidez. So we’ll get some answers and see if he belongs in the light heavyweight division," Algieri told Pro Box TV.
Gvozdyk's former trainer, Teddy Atlas, expects a tough test for David: "I like Benavidez and his father a lot, but I think they don’t know what they’re in for. I pick Gvozdyk," Atlas wrote on Twitter.
Renowned American trainer Robert Garcia believes Gvozdyk could shock the boxing world: "We might still see Gvozdyk beat Benavidez. These Ukrainians are just superb. They are from one country, and considering what their country is going through today, the boxing world is proud and happy for them, for their achievements. They are on top of the world when it comes to boxing. There are no happier people now than them. The victories they've had in recent weeks are just incredible. We should be happy for them," Garcia stated on his YouTube channel Robert García Unfiltered.
Former sparring partner of both boxers, Lionel Thompson, stated that the Ukrainian might be too big and strong for Benavidez: "David is tough, I won’t lie. Those were some of the toughest sparring sessions I've had. It wasn’t easy. I really gritted my teeth and tried to focus better because David is big. It was really good work. But I lean towards Oleksandr Gvozdyk’s victory.
Benavidez is not used to taking strong punches from big guys. He’s not used to having a big body leaning on him. David has fought smaller guys who couldn’t shake him. In this fight, he won’t be able to land his punches like that because Gvozdyk is a very good counterpuncher, and he can also knock out. He sent Adonis Stevenson into a coma. David needs to be careful. He can’t just get in close and do what he usually does and take hits like that. Usually, he’s too big for his opponents; he can take hits on his elbows, shoulders, arms, but with Gvozdyk, he’ll have to move his head. I think he needs to adjust for this fight," Thompson told YouTube channel FightHype.com.