David Benavidez wears down Ronald Ellis for round 11 TKO

David Benavidez vs. Ronald Ellis exceeded expectations, but Benavidez dominated the fight and broke down Ellis for the stoppage. 

David Benavidez was a heavy favorite going into his March 13 boxing bout with Ronald Ellis and showed why as he systematically beat up Ellis for a round 11 referee stoppage.

Benavidez (24-0, 21 KOs) extended his undefeated record by defeating Ellis at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Benavidez is a two-time super middleweight champion who’s on the campaign trail towards winning back another title.

Over the years, Benavidez’s worst enemy has been himself. He was stripped of his WBC title in 2018 after he tested positive for an illegal primary chemical in cocaine. Benavidez won the title back in 2019 by stopping Anthony Dirrell in round 9.

Benavidez lost the WBC belt on the scale after missing weight against Roamer Alexis Angulo. He stopped Angulo in round 10, but the title wasn’t on the line for him after missing weight.

Benavidez was extra cautious and was at 168 pounds days before his contest with Ellis.

Ellis (18-2-2, 12 KOs) received a shot at Benavidez after receiving a win over Matvey Korobov after Korobov couldn’t continue due to an ankle injury. Ellis had never been dropped before and blamed his lone loss on a hand injury.

David Benavidez put on another commanding performance against Ronald Ellis to stay undefeated.

Ellis was a major underdog against Benavidez. According to Oddsshark.com, odds ranged from 6-1 to 15-1 against Ellis. However, Ellis held his own against Benavidez.

Ellis surprisingly was the aggressor in round 1. He repeatedly pushed Benavidez to the ropes and let his hands go. It was a good start, but his edge quickly slipped away.

As the rounds went on, Benavidez’s punch output increased. Ellis was able to hang with him in rounds 2 and 3, but things just got more one-sided from there.

Benavidez had five rounds where he threw 70 or more punches, according to CompuBox. His work to Ellis’s body made the difference. Ellis looked very hurt from Benavidez’s left hook to the body in round 6 and barely threw a punch for the last minute of the round.

Before the start of round 9, the ring doctor checked on Ellis because he was taking so much punishment, but he allowed the fight to continue.

In round 11, Benavidez connected with several right uppercuts, and Ellis was in a bad position on the ropes. The referee saw enough and stopped the fight. Ellis never touched the canvas, but he was out of the fight and taking too many punches.

The round 11 TKO gives Benavidez his 24th win. He stated before the fight that he would like to fight WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo if Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant are tied up in a unification bout.

Benavidez doesn’t have a belt, but he’s a former champion with an unblemished record. At 24 years old, Benavidez is still youthful and approaching his prime. He’s one of the best super middleweights in the world and showed why against Ellis.