Photos: David Benavidez, Ronald Gavril Get Tense at Weigh-In

LAS VEGAS – All six super middleweight boxers made weight on Thursday, one day before a stacked tripleheader tomorrow/Friday, Sept. 8 on SHOWTIME BOXING: Special Edition live on SHOWTIME® (10:05 p.m. ET/PT) from the Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS:

David Benavidez: 167 ½ Pounds

Ronald Gavril: 166 ¾ Pounds

 J’Leon Love: 168 ¼ Pounds

Abraham Han: 167 ½ Pounds

Caleb Plant: 167 ¼ Pounds

Andrew Hernandez: 166 ¼ Pounds

FINAL QUOTES:

DAVID BENAVIDEZ:

“I’m a little surprised the title shot came this early. My dad told me to be ready and if the opportunity came, I need be ready to show up.

“[Gavril] thinks I’m a kid, I know it. I’m 20 years old, but I’m going to let him make the mistakes and let him come forward, then I’m going to take over.

“He’s never faced someone like me. I’ll let him think what he wants to think. I know what I can do. This is the biggest fight of my life and I have to take advantage.

“Leaving Phoenix was probably one of the best things I’ve ever done, especially for my boxing career.

“I can’t keep my mind away from boxing and I have to stay sharp because the fights are getting harder and harder.

“The last few fights have been tough and I can’t go in there just thinking about the knockout. I have to take them apart piece by piece. My approach has changed. I’m not going in there just wailing away like Mike Tyson. I’m going to dissect them.

“I see that he’s a pressure fighter and has good body work. He only has one speed and doesn’t have any other gears. I’ve watched a lot of film on him and feel like he has some weaknesses that I can expose. I’m going to end this in a knockout! I’m ready to go 12 rounds, but I’m going to knock him out.

“I’ve dedicated myself the most I ever have for any fight this time. I had sparring partners exactly like Gavril.

“I feel comfortable at this weight, but I can see myself going up to 175 at some point, maybe three or four years from now.

“I know if I win I’m going to be the youngest super middleweight world champion ever. That’s just frosting on the cake.”

RONALD GAVRIL:

“Our camp was extended by two weeks because we were supposed to fight on Aug. 26. But the world title fight came up so we had to go for it.

“I’m going to make him fight. I’m a more experienced fighter and have a higher boxing IQ than my opponent.

“I’m not overlooking Benavidez. He’s a tough fighter and we know it. My trainer [Eddie Mustafa Muhammad] has been working with me on a game plan. I’m going to be ready for whatever he has to bring.

“It was a great camp and we had the best sparring partners, including Badou [Jack] and Jose Uzcategui.

“I’ve watched video of Benavidez. He throws lots of combinations and quick hands. They say he’s a highlight reel, but he will be exposed on Friday night.”