Anthony Dirrell vs David Benavidez is a fight that has been in the making for two years. This Saturday, the two will finally face off.
This fight was set in motion back in 2017 when the WBC ordered Anthony Dirrell to fight Callum Smith for the vacant title. Callum decided to instead participate in the World Boxing Super Series, leaving David Benavidez as his replacement. Dirrell and Benavidez were all set for September 8, 2017.
Then Dirrell withdrew with an injury.
David Benavidez was left to fight replacement Ronald Gavril. Benavidez beat Gavril by split decision, became the youngest boxer ever to win a title at 168. Benavidez was only 20.
The split decision left room for doubt, which Benavidez quickly quieted with a rematch which he won by unanimous decision, with dominant scorecards of 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109.
Months later, Benavidez was stripped of his belt when he tested positive for cocaine.
This left the WBC title vacant, once again. Anthony Dirrell fought and beat Avni Yildirim, giving him the title that was once held by Benavidez.
Benavidez wants that title back.
Benavidez is 21-0, with 18 knockouts. He stands tall at 6’2 with a reach of 77”. Anthony Dirrell is 33-1-1, with 24 knockouts. He is 6’2 with a 74 ½” reach.
The fight will be the co-main event on the Shawn Porter vs Errol Spence Jr. card and can be watched on Fox pay-per-view.
Flip the page for video of them getting into at the press conference.