Could Jose Benavidez Jr upset the apple cart against Jermall Charlo?

Somewhat unexpectedly, Benavidez Jr has been given another crack at the big time but can he take his chance?

In three weeks’ time on Saturday November 25th, Jermall ‘The Hitman’ Charlo (32-0-0 22KOs) makes his long-awaited return to the ring. His opponent is a slightly left field choice, facing off with the always slick, but naturally smaller, Jose Benavidez Jr (28-2-1 19KOs). However is there an underestimated level of jeopardy heading into this match up?

The career of ‘El Phoenix’ has not quite reached the heights that once seemed inevitable. As an amateur, he boasted an incredible record of 120-5, managing to accumulate some 11 national titles in the process.

Turning over with Golden Boy, he was one of the hottest prospects on the scene. Faith in his ability was such that a petition was granted for him to be given a special waiver by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, to allow him to have his professional debut at age 17 instead of the typical 18.

Blitzing through his early opposition, Benavidez looked to have all the makings of a fighter destined for the pinnacle of the sport. That was until he hit a speed bump when he was awarded a controversial decision win over the tough Californian war house, Maurico ‘El Maestro’ Herrera for the interim WBA super lightweight title. After this performance the hype train seemed to subdue, with questions marks now arising over whether the amateur standout had the skillset required to make the transition from the unpaid ranks to elite level professional boxing.

Despite this, Benavidez still managed to secure himself a shot at the then WBO welterweight champion and future pound for pound number one Terence Crawford. The Mexican American slickster actually put in a suprisingly impressive performance, giving Crawford what may well have been one of his toughest nights at that point. Although always behind, he was competitive throughout, eventually succumbing to a 12th round stoppage defeat via a brutal right uppercut from the masterful Nebraskan.

His only other defeat came via a majority decision in another respectable showing against former two weight world champion Danny Garcia. The fight with ‘Swift’ Garcia came 14 months ago, whilst he also got out three months ago, securing a fifth-round stoppage against journeyman Sladan Janjanin.

This is starkly different to Jermall Charlo, who come fight night will not have set foot inside the squared circle for some 29 months.

The selection of Benavidez Jr as Charlo’s comeback opponent is an intriguing one. Benavidez has only boxed above 154lb’s twice before in his career, however in terms of technical ability, PBC really could have chosen far more limited fighters considering the undefeated Texan’s inactivity. If Charlo does get the expected victory, it does set up a nice narrative for a potential future fight with Jose’s bigger, and in all likelihood better younger brother David Benavidez, who headlines the same card against Demetrius Andrade. Perhaps this played into the thinking.

Looking at the book makers odd’s this looks like a fairly routine comeback fight for the somehow still reigning WBC middleweight champ, however it may not be that simple. Benavidez knows this is likely his last shot at the big time and he is definitely talking a good game prefight, as he always does. Charlo has also struggled in the past other with classy technicians and counter punchers, namely both Austin Trout and Matvey Korobov pushing him all the way in razor thin points victories.

If Charlo is still the same man he was two and a half years ago, of course this is a fight you would expect him to win conclusively. However If he does have some ring rust or hasn’t been taking the sport seriously during his time out of the ring, Benavidez certainly has the boxing brain to frustrate ‘The Hitman’ and have success. Despite the pre-fight odd’s, don’t be overly surprised to see Benavidez put up another impressive performance on the big stage. Who knows, depending on the condition of Charlo, on this occasion could he even go one step further?

Article sponsored by HÖRFA