Dsalita Oleksandr Gvozydk downplays the idea that David Benavidez is a “Monster” ahead of their upcoming fight in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
In the lead-up to the fight, Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KOs) acknowledges that Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) may try to intimidate him, but he remains unfazed. With over 200 amateur fights under his belt, Gvozdyk, a 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, has seen it all before and knows that intimidation tactics do not work on him.
Benavidez’s reliance on intimidation is seen as a reflection of his mindset, with the idea being to scare opponents into not fighting at their best. However, Gvozdyk suggests that those who rely on intimidation may be insecure and lacking in courage and self-belief.
The former WBC light heavyweight champion questions why Benavidez has chosen to stay at 168 for so long when he is bigger than most fighters in that weight class. Gvozdyk ponders how Benavidez could continue to make weight at 168 despite his size, suggesting that perhaps fighting at a lower weight class is a form of bullying.
This Saturday, June 15th, Benavidez and Gvozdyk will face off for the WBC interim light heavyweight title at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas. Despite Benavidez’s reputation as a “Monster,” Gvozdyk remains skeptical of such nicknames, emphasizing that Benavidez is just a human like anyone else.
Looking ahead to the fight, Gvozdyk is confident in his abilities and dismisses the notion that Benavidez has an extra gear to score knockouts in the later rounds. Both fighters have evolved since their sparring sessions eight years ago, and Gvozdyk is ready to face the challenge head-on, regardless of Benavidez’s attempts to intimidate him.
