By Larry Tornambe

Phoenix, AZ -  Jose Benavidez trained for a specific foe for the Top Rank/Iron Boy Promotions card on July 26th but two weeks prior to the bout “they just switched it this morning,  I don’t even know the new guy’s name”.   It’s annoying but really nothing new.  Jose said, “I had 140 to 150 amateur fights, in the amateurs you never know who you’re fighting unless you’re in the big tournaments.” 

“For my National Golden Gloves win I had to fight a guy who was 6’ 2” and 140 pounds.   I am 6 foot.”  Although he never faced someone taller than him, ‘I had to figure him out, he had long arms.  I ended up beating the guy.” Jose figured it out and won the bout and the tournament. 

So this switch is nothing new for Benavidez who was the youngest to win the National Golden Gloves at 16.  Now he’s 20-0 with 14 knockouts,  “I’ve been pro for four years now.”   The 22 year old welterweight is only fighting for the second time in the Phoenix area, but he proved to be a popular attraction at the Iron Boy Promotions “Meet the Fighters” day at the Central Boxing Gym in Phoenix.   He’s certainly on the brink of passing the “prospect” stage and getting on the contender platform.

“The jab is the key to everything.  I like to use my jab a lot.  From there I can see if he’s going to be a brawler or counterpuncher.”  Fans at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix on Saturday will see a jab that is thrown “to stun a guy.  I have to throw that hard jab.  I can work on the inside too with uppercuts and body shots” in case the shorter foe is able to get under the jab.  

“I am taller than everyone I fight so that (jab) is my advantage.”  On the end of that jab, or trying to avoid it, will be the third opponent to step up in the past two weeks, Henry Aurad from Columbia.   “It should be good, I’ve been training my ass off for this one.  Check me out on July 26th, I’ve been getting ready.”  Aurad is on a two fight winning streak and is now 16-8 with 13 Kos.

This is likely going to be an 8-rounder,  “I should have already been fighting 10 rounders.”  Jose has been fighting steady with the exception of time off to heal a broken hand a few years ago and that has been three or four fights ago, so he’s thinking he’s back on schedule.  He’s single and spends a good bit of his free time training in Gilbert, AZ’s Power MMA, staying in shape and relaxing at home with his brother Anthony.

Jose shows he is focused, patient and understands the game of boxing as well as the sport.  He’s a Phoenix native and has spent some time at the Wild Card Gym and has built a solid fan base in Texas.  

Phoenix area fans need to check with the Celebrity Theater or IronBoyPromotions.com to score the remaining seats to see it live.   Oscar Valdez is on the co-main event along with the very popular Joey Ruelas and undefeated Trevor McCumby highlighting the planned six bout card.