“I See a Guy Getting Better and Better”: Despite Believing Him to Be “Less Talented” Earlier, Bernard Hopkins Makes Honest Admission About David Benavidez’s Boxing Career

Bernard Hopkins might be late to the show, but he is finally here! One of the topmost guys at Golden Boy Promotions had previously made headlines for his tussle with Ryan Garcia. However, this time, he is back in the news for his assessment of David Benavidez. While most boxing pundits credited David Benavidez as the biggest challenge for Canelo Álvarez, Hopkins had a different sentiment. 

Nevertheless, that’s not the case anymore. As per his latest appearance on Fight Hype, he seems to have changed his tune. The former undisputed middleweight champion detailed how he used to believe ‘The Mexican Monster’ was less talented compared to his peers, but has changed his opinion of him. 

Bernard Hopkins is cautious about betting against David Benavidez

While speaking about the potential Canelo vs. Benavidez, the reporter questioned ‘The Executioner’ about his thoughts on Benavidez. The Philadelphia native stated, “I see a guy getting better and better. Definitely bigger, definitely stronger, and definitely [someone who] believes in himself.” He went on to reveal how Benavidez proved him wrong twice by defeating his opponents. “He proved me wrong twice. I’m very cautious the third time to go against him,” said ‘B-Hop’.

As to why he thought Benavidez would lose, Hopkins stated, “I just believe that the fighters that he fought, those two, I believe based on what I’ve been seeing from the two, he was the less talented in that division or that fight rather.” However, his assessment of Benavidez has changed since then, as he claimed, “sometimes you got to eat crow.” While Hopkins changed his view about ‘The Mexican Monster,’ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr thinks that Benavidez has the advantage in a fight but Canelo can still change the odds.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr reveals what Canelo Álvarez has to do to win

Chavez Jr did not miss the Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis fight. So, when Boxing King Media found Chavez ringside on December 9, they asked him about his thoughts on his former opponent facing David Benavidez. Having fought Canelo back in 2017, the Culiacan resident revealed the only way his former rival could win.

“I think Canelo can beat [Benavidez], but Canelo has to be at his best,” said Chavez. He went on to suggest that Canelo has to have superior movement and apt conditioning. “A lot of movement and good conditioning,” Chavez said. However, the fighter with a record of 53-6-1 could not provide an exact prediction, attributing the fight a 50-50 chance for either participant.

Also Read: Changed His Opinion After Jermell Charlo Fight, Caleb Plant’s Trainer Predicts Canelo Alvarez’s Fate Against David Benavidez

Even though Hopkins got on the Benavidez train late, now he firmly believes Benavidez has a good chance against the former Golden Boy Promotions starfighter. What about you – do you think Benavidez can defeat Canelo? Did you have the same view as Hopkins? Tell us in the comments below.

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