The average 19-year-old spends Saturdays hanging out with friends at the mall or prepping for the night?s activities, saintly or sinful.
Jose Benavidez Jr. is far from being an average 19-year-old. The decorated amateur boxer turned pro at the young age of 17, and already finds himself fighting in the prime real estate of a Manny Pacquiao undercard. We caught up with the 13-0 (12 KO) junior welterweight before he headed out to Las Vegas for fight week.
ROUND 1: This is the big time ? you?re fighting on the undercard of a Pacquiao bout again. This is where even the dark undercard fighters get noticed by fans and press year after year. Does this blow your mind? What?s running through your head when you think of that?
I?ve been on a few before, you know, Manny/Margarito, Manny/Cotto. I feel good. I?ve been training really hard, and I?m ready for Saturday.
ROUND 2: Let?s talk a little bit about your style first. For those who haven?t seen you fight, how would you describe yourself and your boxing style?
Well, most guys are smaller, I?m a little taller for this weight class, so I work my jab a lot, I?m more of a counterpuncher. I go for the body a lot, body shots are my favorite, so I throw lots of body shots and jabs. I don?t use the right hand much, mostly body shots and jabs.
ROUND 3: What have you learned about Gary Bergeron, your opponent, and what?s the battle plan?
Well, I don?t know, really? they might have changed the fighter at the last minute.
He pulled out?
Maybe, I don?t know. Last fight they changed the opponent four or five times. I don?t know. Ever since I turned pro it?s been like that. It?s not a big deal, I?ve trained 100% to go in there and win. Usually in the first round I see if he?s a pressure fighter or counterpuncher. First round is used to figure stuff out.
