Lesser Known Side Of David Benavidez’s Ecaudorian Descent: Everything You Need to Know About the Mexican Monster’s Parents

It’s not been an easy ride for David Benavidez in his boxing career. Today, when the 26-year-old fighter is all set to undertake one of the most important fights of his life, it becomes rather necessary for us to reflect as to what got him here. Was his advent into the boxing ring a plan carefully devised by his family? Partially yes. However, this plan would later be marred by a plethora of difficulties that would jeopardize his family’s daily life, let alone their chances of thriving.

In a few moments from now, Benavidez will enter the ring against Demetrius Andrade at the Michelob ULTRA Arena of Las Vegas. This fight is of great significance. The victor will go on to challenge the current world super middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez. That’s about tonight. However, to reach the current stage of his career, Benavidez and his family had to navigate a route that tested them throughout.

The Foundation: Jose Benavidez Sr. and Alma Benavidez

David Benavidez was born to his Mexican father Jose Benavidez Sr., and mother of Ecuadorian-Dominican descent, Alma Benavidez. Born in Phoenix, David’s journey into boxing was nurtured by his father, Jose Sr. He is a former professional boxer from Sinaloa, Mexico. Senior’s transition from a successful ring career to becoming a trainer became the premise for David’s and his brother Jose Jr.’s passion for the sport.

Alma has been an unwavering source of support and encouragement throughout the Benavidez brothers’ boxing journey. Her Ecuadorian-Dominican heritage provides depth to David’s identity. 

From the dark to the light: the Benavidez family 

Before Senior learned anything about boxing, he had to learn how to survive. At the age of two, his parents separated. His dad moved out, while his mother went to the US. She left him with her ailing  mother who could hardly care for herself. Till the age of 11, Senior worked in fields, harvesting and planting corn. Reportedly, he  stole food, picked it from the trash, or sprinkled salt on leaves when he had no food to eat.

At age 11, he was called by his mother to California. Over there, his stepdad kicked him out, and he quit school in grade 8. He was then affiliated with gangs and even started his own. Senior sold drugs, and taught gang members to steal radios from cars. His life took such a dark turn that he would sleep with an 8-millimeter under his pillow.

It was in 1992 when things changed. Senior saw his namesake, his firstborn, Jose Benavidez Jr. Still a teenager, Senior moved to Arizona with his family in pursuit of a better life. He secured a job at the Ritz Carlton. Over the next 15 years years, he would go from a dishwasher to a banquet captain. He bought a house for his family and established normalcy. He put his kids into soccer and basketball, but they gravitated toward boxing.

In the late 90s, through the early 2000s, Senior wanted to become a boxing trainer and manager. He pursued any opportunity that taught him the sport. He was pushing his two kids, Junior, and David toward the sport. But when the latter was 8, Senior and his wife separated. While Junior stayed with his dad, David and his sister moved in with their mother.

The Benavidez family’s journey through the realms of boxing is a saga of trials, sacrifices, and resilience. Senior Benavidez stood in the middle of a storm, propelling his kids to success. He did so after having been through it all. He had stolen food, spent nights in cars, carried guns, opened gyms, and managed to pick up some serious rivals along the way. These hardships could have derailed his sons’ boxing aspirations. But that did not happen. 

How Many Kids Does David Benavidez Have?

The brothers stand tall today. Today, they enter the arena with these challenges in their mind as constant reminders of their humble beginnings. Their resilience is not a choice they make, but it is their only strategy for survival. Follow this space as we bring you live updates from this very important night for the Benavidez brothers.

Meanwhile, let us know your thoughts about the Benavidez family in the comments section below.

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