David Benavidez has come a long way from his childhood struggles with weight. Weighing 18 stone 6 pounds (117 kg) at the age of 12, he has transformed into a formidable athlete. Now, at 28, he weighs 12 stone 7 pounds (79 kg) and holds the title of WBC light-heavyweight champion. This remarkable journey will see him defend his title against Briton Anthony Yarde this Saturday.
From Overweight Kid to Champion
Images of a young Benavidez training with his father reveal the dedication he showed from a young age. As a child, he faced the challenge of being overweight. Benavidez stated, “I always had faith in myself. I always knew that with hard work, anything is possible.” His commitment to fitness and boxing was evident even early on.
A Journey of Transformation
With aspirations of becoming a top fighter, plans were made for Benavidez to drop 100 pounds. By 15, he was sparring with professionals, including former middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin. “I had been boxing since I was three,” he shared. “When I got back into boxing at age 11, we slowly started cutting the weight.”
- Started boxing at age 3
- Weighed 260 pounds (118 kg) at 12
- Lost 100 pounds to reach 168 pounds (76 kg)
- Now weighs 12 stone 7 pounds (79 kg)
- Scraps with professionals by age 15
For Benavidez, the moment he reached 168 pounds marked a turning point. He believed he had overcome the most significant obstacle. His focus remained on hard work rather than thoughts of becoming a champion. “This is not a sprint,” he noted. “I like to think of it as a marathon.”
Inspiration for Future Generations
Benavidez emphasizes that his journey is not just about personal triumph. He hopes it serves as motivation for others, particularly young people. “Other kids and men could look at my story and achieve anything,” he expressed. His experience underscores the importance of perseverance and determination.
As Benavidez prepares for his title defense against Anthony Yarde, he stands as a testament to the potential within everyone to achieve greatness through hard work and dedication.
