Weight Class Change Won't Affect Benavidez!

Ukrainian heavyweight Vladyslav Sirenko, in comments to Tribuna.com, shared his expectations for the upcoming fight between Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KOs) and Mexican David Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs).

– Considering the sizes of Gvozdyk and Benavidez (both are 188 cm tall, David has a 189 cm arm reach, Oleksandr has a 192 cm arm reach), do you think the change in weight class will affect Benavidez?

– I believe the change in weight class won't affect Benavidez.

I'm confident he cuts a lot of weight before fights. And when he's "on vacation," let's call it, he's way over... Maybe he even walks around at heavyweight, nobody knows.

So, I'm sure it won't affect him. If anything, it might be more comfortable for him because he won't have to cut as much weight to fight at super middleweight.

– Isn't it too big of a jump in the level of opposition for Gvozdyk, coming back from fighting Bolotniks and Rodriguez last year to facing Benavidez this year?

– I believe that the stronger and better the opposition, the better you can showcase yourself. I'm confident that Oleksandr Gvozdyk is ready for such a fight.

He's a very experienced athlete, has been in professional boxing for years. He definitely knows and feels his condition. If he agreed to this fight, he would be ready both psychologically and physically.

– Who would you consider the favorite?

– Purely for me, Oleksandr would be the favorite. Because I really support him and it's very hard for me to give any kind of expert evaluation, because I'm, let's say, biased towards his side and will be servering for and supporting him, - said Sirenko.

Gvozdyk announced that this fight would take place in June or July. The WBC interim light heavyweight title (up to 79.4 kg) will be on the line.