‘You Have to Get Ready’- Mike Tyson Warns David Benavidez About the Pressure of Fame

Published 08/02/2021, 9:30 AM EDT

Boxing legend Mike Tyson had a stern warning in store for the ever-rising middleweight David Benavidez. The two-time WBC super-middleweight champion has fast grown into a global phenomenon. Tyson, who has been through the wringer and seen it all, spoke to Benavidez about the pressure that comes along with the glory of being at the top.

Be it boxing or any other sport, it takes years of practice to perfect and represent oneself on the world stage. But the world doesn’t end there. Once a fighter gains a name and aura around himself, his life changes and he’s not just a boxer or a family man.

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The music of media, the cheers, and the jeers of fans, all become a part of his or her life. All these things can get tougher and tougher as time flies by.

“I know, this is good about what you feel about,” Tyson says to David when the latter said he wants to motivate people. “Because people (get) attracted to you. I’m attracted to you. I saw the highlights of your fight… you have a lot of promise in town. You have to get ready.”

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Tyson then asked Benavidez if he is Mexican. The latter responds with a yes and also agrees to have a lot of fans. The legend then further said, “So you have a lot of Latin fans, you have a lot of Latin people in this planet, you know that right? That’s tougher. Handling this, your fame is tougher than getting in the ring (and) fighting.”

How David Benavidez has fared in his recent fight?

Benavidez (24-0) is scheduled for a fight on August 28 against former titlist José Uzcátegui at the Phoenix Suns Arena. He is currently riding a two-fight win streak after he was imposed with a ban in 2018.

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He first fought against Roamer Alexis Angulo on August 15, 2020. Prior to the fight, he weighed in over the super middleweight limit and was stripped of his title yet again. Although that had no effect on his match as he dominated Angulo in a one-sided bout and finished him via 10th round stoppage.

His next fight came against the WBC ranked number 08 super middleweight Ronald Ellis on March 13, this year. He dominated him and picked up a TKO win in the eleventh round.

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It will be interesting to see how he fares against Uzcategui. Although undefeated, Benavidez could face a stiff challenge from the Venezuelan boxer.

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Akshyay Mahapatra is a UFC author for EssentiallySports. He wished to combine his passion for the UFC (that he has been following since 2008) as well as his love for writing. This motivated him to enter the world of combat sports journalism.

‘You Have to Get Ready’- Mike Tyson Warns David Benavidez About the Pressure of Fame

How David Benavidez has fared in his recent fight?

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