SHOWTIME Sports released a video feature recapping the first fight between David Benavidez and Ronald Gavril ahead of their WBC Super Middleweight World Championship rematch this Saturday, February 17 live on SHOWTIME from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Narrated by SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING host Brian Custer, the recap details Benavidez’s split decision victory over Gavril, which made him the youngest super middleweight champion ever. Their first meeting, which took place Sept. 8 on SHOWTIME in Las Vegas, was a nominee for 2017 “Fight of the Year.”
Benavidez will defend his super middleweight title against Gavril in the co-main event of this Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast headlined by Danny Garcia vs. Brandon Rios. The action gets underway at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with welterweight contender Yordenis Ugas battling Ray Robinson in an IBF 147-pound title eliminator.
The event is presented by Premier Boxing Champions and promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions in association with DSG Promotions. The Benavidez-Gavril rematch is co-promoted by Sampson Boxing. Tickets for the live event are available at AXS.com.
David Benavidez vs. Ronald Gavril: Fight Recap | SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION
DAVID “El Bandera Roja” BENAVIDEZ (United States)
WBC Super Middleweight World Champion, 1st Title Defense
Age: 21 / Date of birth: December 17, 1996
Residence: Long Beach, California / Birthplace: Phoenix, Arizona
Record: 19-0, 17 KOs / Total rounds: 62
Height: 6’0.5″ – 184cm / Reach: 74.5″ – 189cm / Stance: Right-handed
World championship fights: 1-0, 0 KOs
Promoter: Sampson Promotions / Manager, trainer: Jose Benavidez Sr.
RONALD “The Thrill” GAVRIL (Romania)
Ranked WBC No. 5 at Super Middleweight
Age: 31 / Date of birth: July 10, 1986
Residence: Las Vegas, Nevada / Birthplace: Bacau, Romania
Record: 18-2, 14 KOs / Total rounds: 105
Height: 6’2″ – 182cm / Reach: 73 ” – 185cm / Stance: Right-handed
World championship fights: 0-1
Promoter: Mayweather Promotions / Manager: DeJuan Blake / Trainer: Eddie Mustafa Muhammad
WBC SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONS
1. Ray Leonard (US) 1988 – 1990
2. Mauro Galvano (Italy) 1990 – 1992
3. Nigel Benn (GB) 1992 – 1996
4. Thulane Malinga (S. Afr) 1996
5. Vincenzo Nardiello (Ita) 1996
6. Robin Reid (GB) 1996 – 1997
7. Thulane Malinga (S. Afr) * 1997 – 1998
8. Richie Woodhall (GB) 1998 – 1999
9. Markus Beyer (Germany) 1999 – 2000
10. Glenn Catley (GB) 2000
11. Dingaan Thobela (S. Afr) 2000
12. Dave Hilton (Can) 2000
13. Eric Lucas (Can) 2001 – 2003
14. Markus Beyer (Germany) * 2003 – 2004
15. Danny Green (Australia) Interim 2003 – 2005
16. Cristian Sanavia (Italy) 2004
17. Markus Beyer (Germany) * 2004 – 2006
18. Mikkel Kessler (Den) 2006 – 2007
19. Joe Calzaghe (GB) 2007
20. Carl Froch (GB) 2008 – 2010
21. Mikkel Kessler (Den) * (Emeritus) 2010
22. Carl Froch (GB) * 2010 – 2011
23. Andre Ward (US) 2011 – 2012
24. Sakio Bika (Cameroon) 2013
25. Anthony Dirrell (US) 2014 – 2015
26. Badou Jack (Sweden-US) 2015 – 2017
27. David Benavidez (US) 2017 –
* Regained
WBC TOP 10 SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONS
1. Ray Leonard (US)
2. Joe Calzaghe (GB)
3. Nigel Benn (GB)
4. Andre Ward (US)
5. Markus Beyer (Germany)
6. Carl Froch (GB)
7. Mikkel Kessler (Denmark)
8. Robin Reid (GB)
9. Danny Green (Australia)
10. Eric Lucas (Canada)
GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION IN WBC HISTORY
23 world champions have been recognized by the WBC, of whom only three have regained the title: Thulane Malinga (S. Africa), Markus Beyer two times (Germany), Carl Froch (GB).
66 super middleweight world championships bouts have been sanctioned in the history of the WBC.
This will be the 21st super middleweight world title bout held in the United States in WBC history.
MEMORABLE FIGHTS
Sep. 8, 2017 David Benavidez W12 Ronald Gavril – Las Vegas, Nev.
Jan. 14, 2017 Badou Jack D12 James DeGale – Brooklyn, N.Y.
Apr. 30, 2016 Badou Jack D12 Lucian Bute – Washington, D.C.
Sep. 9, 2015 Badou Jack W12 George Groves – Las Vegas, Nev.
Sep. 8, 2012 Andre Ward TKO10 Chad Dawson – Oakland, Calif.
Dec. 17, 2011 Andre Ward W12 Carl Froch – Atlantic City, N.J.
Nov. 27, 2010 Carl Froch W12 Arthur Abraham – Helsinki, Fin.
Dec. 6, 2008 Carl Froch W12 Jean Pascal – Nottingham, Eng.
Nov. 3, 2007 Joe Calzaghe w12 Mikkel Kessler – Cardiff, Wales
Oct. 14, 2006 Mikkel Kessler KO3 Markus Beyer – Copenhagen, Den.
Mar. 12, 2005 Markus Beyer W12 Danny Green – Zwickau, Ger.
Jul. 10, 2001 Eric Lucas KO7 Glenn Catley – Montreal, Que.
Mar. 27, 198 Richie Woodhall W12 Thulani Malinga – Telford, Eng.
May 3, 1997 Robin Reid W12 Henry Wharton – Manchester, Eng.
Mar. 2, 1996 Thulani Malinga W12 Nigel Benn – Newcastle, Eng.
Oct. 3, 1992 Nigel Benn TKO4 Mauro Galvano – Marino, It.
Dec. 7, 1989 Sugar Ray Leonard W12 Roberto Duran – Las Vegas, Nev.
Nov. 7, 1988 Sugar Ray Leonard W12 Donny Lalonde – Las Vegas, Nev.
WBC Statistics by Luis Medina.