David Benavidez 24-0 21KOs certainly looked the part of the Boogeyman tonight as he methodically dismantled a game Ronald Ellis 18-2-2 12KOs. In his first fight since losing his WBC Super Middleweight title on the scale in August of 2020. Benavidez stopped another fighter who hadn’t been stopped or dropped.
Ellis, gave Benavidez everything he had landing combinations in the early rounds- giving the impression of a close fight. Answering, then becoming first to fire Benavidez took over the fight grinding down Ellis with three, four, and five punch combinations. In the eight round Ellis’s corner pleaded with him to show them something or they would stop the fight. After taking more punishment the referee jumped in to call a halt to the fight in the eleventh round to give Benavidez his 21st knockout.
A relentless @Benavidez300 stops Ronald Ellis in round 11 to stay unbeaten and one step closer to a title bout. #BenavidezEllis pic.twitter.com/VYyWmtSXa5
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 14, 2021
The win over Ellis was a sanctioned title eliminator putting Benavidez next in line for the same title he was stripped of. Saul Canelo Alvarez now holds that title and is scheduled to face Billy Jo Saunders in May.
“I could’ve done better, Ellis is a tough competitor” said Benavidez. When asked about the future Benavidez replied “I want all the big names Charlo, Caleb Plant, Canelo doesn’t matter.”
"Charlo, Caleb Plant, Canelo. I'm willing to fight all of them."@Benavidez300 wants all the smoke after stopping Ronald Ellis. pic.twitter.com/IVfqd4N985
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 14, 2021
Isaac Cruz Wins UD
Isac Cruz 21-1-1 15KOs won a unanimous decision over Jose Mattias Romero 24-1 KOs. Cruz the Mexican brawler aptly nicknamed ‘PitBull’ came forward winging wide hooks and never let up. Romero fighting for the first time in the US proved to be a decent test for Cruz however didn’t have enough mustard on the stick to dissuade the unrelenting assault.
After being docked a point in the sixth for a low blow Isaac Cruz wins by unanimous decision on scores of 114-113, 118-109, and 115-112.
Terrel Gausha Stops Clark
Terrel Gausha 22-2-1 11KOs stopped Jamontay Clark 15-2-1 7KOs in the televised opener on Showtime Championship Boxing. Guasha was a busier fighter than in previous outings landing follow-ups to his jab in the first round. Settling down in the second Gausha landed a hard right-hand that dropped Clark hard. Clark would beat the count but a flurry of punches from Gausha prompted the referee to call a halt to the fight.
“I stayed patient” “I fought five southpaws in a row so it was my experience” Gausha said of the southpaw Clark.
