In a WBC eliminator televised live on Showtime from the Footprint Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, former two-time WBC super middleweight champion David Benavidez (24-0, 21 KOs) revisits his birthplace to get it on with late replacement Kyrone Davis (16-2-1, 6 KOs), the evening's underdog from Wilmington, Delaware.

 

If, or perhaps when, Benavidez stops Davis, another attempt to set up a long overdue bout with Canelo Alvarez will commence.

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“I feel like I have the best shot because I have the most power in the division besides Canelo,” Benavidez told ESPN. “I have longer arms, as much as speed -- probably even faster -- and as much power, too. I'm just hungry for this opportunity.”

 

Benavidez was originally scheduled to fight Bolivian boxer Jose Uzcategui. But Uzcategui failed a pre-fight drug test, opening the door for Davis. Despite going 3-1-1 in his last five fights, Davis is not unskilled and drew with Anthony Dirrell in February.

 

The fight with Benavidez will likely be another story. He is younger, taller, and has a longer reach than Davis. He also hits much harder.

 

In the co-main event, David's older brother, welterweight "Merciless" Jose Benavidez Jr. (27-0, 18 KOs), also hailing from Phoenix, returns to action for the first time since losing to Terence Crawford by 12th round TKO in Omaha in 2018. Jose was an amateur sensation and big things were expected when he turned pro in 2010. He has lots of talent, he can box as well as punch, and a few substantial wins to his credit. But he's 29 years old and time is running out to make a move.

 

His opponent is Argentinean Emanuel Torres (17-3, 5 KOs). There’s no pressure on 32-year-old Torres, who, unlike Jose Jr., has nothing to prove. A solid win by Benavidez may yank to attention back to the sport where it belongs, assuming there's still enough desire left in the tank.

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“There is no doubt in my mind that I’m going to break this guy’s ribs or his jaw,” said Jose to PBC. “I want to show everybody that I’m back.”