The boxing world and the fans were highly excited for the August 28 match, but it looks like they will have to wait a little longer. The Jose Uzcategui vs. David Benavidez main event was postponed as the former champion Benavidez contracted COVID-19. Therefore, the organizers have decided to postpone the fight. The hungry 24-year-old was all set to fight for his lost belt, but it will not happen anytime soon.
The Jose Uzcategui vs. David Benavidez match was set at the Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix on August 28. The American professional boxer David Benavidez (24-1, 21 KO) was scheduled to meet Venezuelan fighter Jose Uzcategui (31-4, 26 KO) inside the ring in a 12-round super middleweight bout. After fighting for the last six years across North America, Benavidez hoped to return to his native, Phoenix, to battle against Uzcategui.
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The two-time super middleweight world champion David Benavidez planned to extend his four-fight knockout streak in the match against Jose Uzcategui. Benavidez made boxing history at 20 when he became the youngest 168-pound world champion in 2017, fighting against Ronald Gavril. In the scheduled Jose Uzcategui vs. David Benavidez match, the Phoenix native had planned to thrill his fans and move forward in his career.
David Benavidez Background
Given name: Anthony David Benavidez
Alias: El Bandera Roja
Born: December 17, 1996 (age 24)
Birthplace: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Nationality: USA
Residence: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Division: Orthodox
Reach: 74½″ / 189cm
Height: 6′ 0½″ / 184cm
Stance: Orthodox
Total fights: 24
Wins: 24
Losses: 1
Draws: 0
Anthony David Benavidez is an American professional boxer born on December 17, 1996. Benavidez has been performing as a professional athlete for the past eight years. He currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona, where he was also born. Benavidez’s last fight was on March 13, 2021, in which he fought against Ronald Ellis. Benavidez won this match by technical knockout (TKO). David Benavidez became the WBC super-middleweight champion on September 8, 2017 — his first world title.
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David Benavidez is a two-time WBC super-middleweight champion who held the title from 2017 to 2018 and 2019 to 2020. He is considered one of the most exciting young fighters, making history by becoming the youngest World Champion in super middleweight in 2017. He won against Ronald Gavril—surviving the final round knockdown and getting back on his feet. It was considered the Fight of the Year by many fans. Let’s see what he had to say about the Jose Uzcategui vs. David Benavidez match.
What Benavidez Said Before Cancellation of the August 28 Match
Talking about Jose Uzcategui vs. David Benavidez match, the American boxer said, “I am thrilled and excited to be a part of this fight. I started my training long back for this match, and it’s already been eight weeks. I can’t wait to be in the ring. I am going to be facing a boxer who is not at all easy to handle in the ring. He has been a champion in the past, and he will surely fight to be a champion again. In addition to being excited about fighting against Uzcategui, I am also excited to fight in Phoenix again. At this moment, I am feeling strong and fast — all ready to put on a show.” We expect Benavidez returns with the same energy and conviction to the ring after his recovery.
Jose Uzcategui Background
Given name: Jose Olavides Uzcategui
Alias: Bolivita
Born: December 24, 1990 (30 age)
Birthplace: El Vigia, Venezuela
Nationality: Venezuela
Residence: Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Division: light heavyweight
Reach: 76½″ (194 cm)
Weight: 175 lbs
Height: 6′ 2″ (188 cm)
Stance: orthodox
Total fights: 34
Wins: 30
Losses: 4
Draws: 0
Jose Uzcategui is a Venezuelan professional boxer who has been competing in the light heavyweight division throughout his career. He has been in professional boxing for over 10 years. He was born on December 24, 1990, in El Vigia, Venezuela. Uzcategui made his professional debut on March 25, 2011, at the age of 20 against the Mexican boxer Ramiro Rosales. Jose started with a victory against Rosales by knockout (KO). The first world title for Uzcategui came on July 4, 2018, when he became the IBF super-middleweight champion fighting for the vacant title. The last fight for Jose Uzcategui was against Josue Obando on March 26, 2021. Uzcategui defeated Obando by technical knockout (TKO). Jose Uzcategui vs. David Benavidez would have been the next match for the fighter.
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The Venezuelan professional boxer held the IBF super-middleweight title from 2018 to 2019. In February 2013, Uzcategui won over Rogelio Medina by a unanimous decision over ten rounds. Later in the same year, he succeeded in the fourth round against Michel Rosales by technical knockout and the first-round over Francisco Villanueva. The Jose Uzcategui vs. David Benavidez fight felt like there could have been fireworks for the hardcore boxing fans. But we will have to wait longer.
What Uzcategui Said Before the August 28 Match was Postponed
Talking about the thrilling Jose Uzcategui vs. David Benavidez’s match, Uzcategui said, “This would probably be the most exciting match of my career. The fight itself is more important for me than winning the title itself. I am going to box with one of the best fighters, and this will bring the best of me. There have been talks about this match going on for a very long time; both of us were champions, but it could not happen that time. We are finally coming together now with a thrilling face-off. A lot of fighters were not ready to take the fight with Benavídez, but I did. I know that to be able to take up big challenges like Canelo Alvarez, I have to win these fights. I am not afraid of tough fights. In fact, I want to thrill my fans with exciting fights.”
The postponement of this match has been a big disappointment for a lot of boxing fans. Let’s hope for the speedy recovery of David Benavidez. At this point, fighters’ health is the top priority for the organizers.