David Benavídez Set For Title Eliminator Bout With Ronald Ellis

David Benavídez (23-0, 20 KO) returns to the ring on Saturday, March 13, when he meets Ronald Ellis (18-1-2). The 12-round bout will be a WBC super-middleweight title eliminator, with the winner booking a clash with reigning WBC champion Canelo Alvarez.

Before Alvarez captured the vacant strap against Callum Smith last December, Benavídez held the belt. However, the 24-year-old was stripped of it last August when he fought Roamer Alexis Angulo after coming in heavy on the scales. It was the second time that Benavídez had been stripped of the title. The first being back in 2018 when he was found to have traces of cocaine in his system.

I’ve had an amazing camp in Big Bear, and this is the strongest I have ever felt. So I’m looking to get an early stoppage against Ellis,” said Benavidez. “I’m glad this is a title eliminator, and it’s going to be another step to being a world champion once again.”

Benavídez is one of the most talented super middleweights in the division, and at 24-years of age, he still has plenty of time to grow and develop. In Ellis, he will be facing a fighter who will be facing the biggest test of his career. Ellis is coming into this contest on the back of a victory over three-time world title challenger Matt Korobov. The 31-year-old is relishing the opportunity to see how he matches up against one of the world’s top 168lb fighters.

“It’s a fight but not just any fight,” said Ellis. “This is the type of fight I have trained for and wanted since I turned pro. He’s going to bring his best on March 13, and that will bring out the best in me.”

SHOWTIME will broadcast the fight held inside the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The evening’s co-main event will be a lightweight clash between Isaac Cruz (20-1-1, 15 KO) and Matías Romero (24-0, 8 KO).

What do you make of this matchup?