The past few months have been quite the ride for seventeen-year old prospect Jose Benavidez. Having inked an exclusive deal with Top Rank around the start of the New Year, the Arizona native was instantly thrust into the fast track lifestyle that comes with being a highly touted sensation.
From the get-go Benavidez appeared to already have an edge, as stories leaked that he had been working under the tutelage of one of the world’s most coveted trainers, Freddie Roach. The trainer became interested in Benavidez after seeing him spar in the fall of last year and so far their union has been a successful one.
Benavidez’ first bout saw him tear through overmatched Steven Cox at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in just 81 seconds. He followed that up with an equally destructive 1st round blowout of John Michael Vega in which he focused much of his attack to the body. That appearance was on the undercard of the Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 card at the Hilton and Benavidez didn’t have much time to rest before returning to Los Angeles to again link up with Roach.
“When I fought on the 13th I came down to Arizona for a few days to do a couple interviews and when back to the Wild Card and started training again,” Benavidez said earlier this week. “It’s actually like my first home because I am always there and rarely at the house. I’m stating to get used to it. I’ve been there for about six months now.”
Coming back to the famed gym in med-February, Benavidez was able to work out alongside current pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao as the Filipino was deep into his training for his March 13th clash with Joshua Clottey. Benavidez seems to recognize just how crucial preparation is towards any fight after being around Manny.
“I was actually in his camp and I was watching him train and spar as he got ready for Clottey. He was training hard and I realized that this guy just doesn’t get tired.”
Make no mistake about it though, Benavidez wasn’t there to do any star gazing, as he was preparing for a fight of his own on the eve of Pacquiao vs. Clottey. Benavidez would be fighting on a Top Rank live card in Arlington on Friday night and after about three weeks of intense work at the Wild Card he packed his bags and ventured East.
“We left California on a Tuesday and got in around 6,” Benavidez said of arriving in Texas. “The hotel where I was staying at had a lot of boxers and stuff. When I went to the card where I fought on Friday they had a lot of people and there was a lot of energy. It felt great seeing all these people and hearing them cheer. It was actually a lot of fun.”
When it was his time to fight, Benavidez would find himself staring across the ring at Mississippi’s Bobby Hill. After a cautious start, Benavidez would figure his opponent out and finish him off in the 3rd round with a flurry along the ropes. When reflecting on his performance much more stood out to Jose than just his own abilities.
“It was actually really good,” Benavidez stated. “The week before that I was actually kind of sick. I didn’t feel all that but everything worked out all good and I can’t be too down with that. Actually at the fights there was fighters like Clottey, Margarito, Barrera, and I’m not sure but also a couple more. I’ve been training hard and it’s been going great. When I got out of the ring a lot of people wanted autographs and pictures and it felt really good. It motivates me to train even harder.”
After moving his record to 3-0 with 3 knockouts, Benavidez finally was able to let his guard down and soon turned his attention to Saturday night, where his stable mate Pacquiao was going to be clashing with Clottey inside of the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Summing up his experience at the event in a few words, Benavidez seems to realize just how grand the stage was.
“Of course I was there,” Benavidez said. “It was crazy. So many people where there. That stadium is so big and words can’t describe how crazy it was. They are both great fighters. Clottey had really good defense but Manny just doesn’t get tired. He was able to use those angles and really control the fight.”
For Benavidez there will be little time to rest as he revealed he is set to appear next on an April 10th card at the Hard Rock on another Top Rank live show. The early seeds of Benavidez’ career have been planted and when reflecting further on the impact that Pacquiao has had on him, he acknowledges that he is like a mentor in several regards.
“I’m around him everyday and he’s an inspiration. He started from nothing and he has won all these title belts and seven world championships. I look up to him and he works hard. He trains hard and one day I hope to be able to be like him as well.”
