Benavidez recaptures WBC strap against Dirrell

Last night in the co-main event at Staples Center in Los Angeles, unbeaten David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez (22-0, 19 KOs) stayed that way and regained the WBC Super Middleweight World Championship from two-time champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (33-2-1, 24 KOs) with a ninth-round TKO victory.

“Everything just fell in place perfectly,” said Benavidez. “From the suspension to all the big fights I’ve been in. All of that helped me out in this fight. I did not make a mistake or open myself up more than I needed to. I worked behind my jab and got the stoppage. Things are going to get better and get tougher and I’m ready for the challenge.”

The fight followed a similar pattern throughout, with Benavidez stalking his opponent looking to unload power shots, while Dirrell circled the ring looking to counter and keep him at bay with his jab.

? AND NEW!

David Benavidez makes history once again and becomes the youngest 2-time super middleweight champ of all time! pic.twitter.com/HjAkA9bMMd

— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) September 29, 2019

Benavidez stayed in control through the early rounds, until Dirrell turned the tables momentarily in round four trying to batter Benavidez against the ropes, but he was unable to daze the 22-year-old.

In round six Benavidez broke through with a critical moment in the fight, landing a punch that opened up a cut over Dirrell’s right eye. With the blood pouring, the cut was immediately a problem for Dirrell, who now had limited vision to stop the incoming assault.

The punch that changed the fight! ?

Benavidez inflicts a nasty cut on Dirrell's eye that eventually ends with a 9th Round stoppage. BUY #SpencePorter ➡️ https://t.co/5Hmd7c9FEn pic.twitter.com/OyZ2D7AEli

— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) September 29, 2019

Despite having his cut checked by the ringside physician in rounds six, seven and eight, Dirrell was able to use his veteran savvy to stay in the fight. As the fight went to round nine Benavidez increased his offense, slowing Dirrell down enough where he could tee off with power punches in the corner.

As Dirrell tried to navigate away from Benavidez’s offense, he began to take more punishment and looked shaky on his feet. Referee Thomas Taylor officially stopped the fight 1:39 into the round, at the direction of Dirrell’s corner. Benavidez ended the fight with a 165 to 94 advantage in punches landed, with the biggest margin coming from his 101 power shots landed to just 41 from Dirrell.

“There are so many emotions coming at me at once,” said Benavidez. “We put so much hard work into this training camp. We left home and were away from everything. But I had the dream to become the youngest two-time super middleweight world champion and I made my dreams come true.”