‘Interim’ WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez is locked and loaded to square off against WBA (Regular) light heavyweight champion David Morrell on February 1st at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The bout will take him one step closer to a potential fight against the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol‘s undisputed rematch later in the month.

However, the bigger question is, how did Benavidez get here? ‘The Mexican Monster’ is considered one of the greatest boxers of this generation, with skills and power to match. Yet his journey to the top would have been much more difficult without help from his father and trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. So, here’s a look at who Benavidez Sr. is!

Who is Jose Benavidez Sr., David Benavidez’s father?

Jose Benavidez Sr. is the father/trainer of rising boxing star David Benavidez, and his life story is as remarkable as his son’s career. Born in Sinaloa, Mexico, Jose Sr. faced significant hardship early in life. His parents separated when he was just two years old, and he was left to live with his ailing grandmother. 

By the age of 11, he moved to California, where his stepfather kicked him out, and he found himself involved in gangs and criminal activities. Struggles to survive marked his youth, including stealing food and carrying a gun for protection. In 1992, Jose Sr. made a pivotal decision to move to Arizona with his family in search of a better life. 

He worked his way up from a dishwasher to a banquet captain at the Ritz-Carlton, eventually securing a stable home and a better future for his children. Despite his past, he focused on giving his sons, Jose Jr. and David, opportunities in sports, particularly boxing, which they gravitated toward.

A former boxer, himself, Jose Sr. transitioned into training, seeking knowledge from renowned figures like Freddie Roach and Abel Sanchez. His dedication to the sport led him to train numerous professional boxers and MMA fighters, including notable names like Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Henry Cejudo. 

Today, Jose Sr. continues his legacy through Benavidez Sports, where he trains the next generation of athletes, including his own sons, ensuring the Benavidez family’s impact on boxing remains strong.

David Benavidez’s relationship with his father

David Benavidez’s relationship with his father, Jose Benavidez Sr., played a pivotal role in shaping him into the boxer he is today. Having been through hardships in his early life, he was determined to prevent his two sons from following the same path. So, he instilled a strict sense of discipline in David and his brother, Jose.

David credits his father for his success, saying, “I give him credit because I’ve tried to quit a lot of times. He never let me. If I don’t train I get disciplined you know what I mean. So I was really scared of my dad for a long time.” Though sometimes harsh, this tough love was essential in Benavidez’s development. 

He explains, “Sometimes bro, you need to learn the hard way. I rather get slapped by my dad, my dad makes me cry, than me getting knocked out in the ring.” The discipline and hard lessons David received from his father helped forge the mental toughness and resilience that defined his boxing career. 

Where does David Benavidez train?

For a boxer like David Benavidez, the place where he trains for his fights is sacred and a place of worship. According to sources, Benavidez trains for most of his fights in a couple of gyms. The first one is the BOXR Gym in Miami, where he trained before his fight against Oleksandr Gvozdyk in June 2024. 

Per BOXR’s website, besides boxing, they also offer training for Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, and more. Matthew Atalla started the gym during the COVID-19 pandemic in his condo building in downtown Miami. Today, they have played host to the likes of Benavidez, Israel Adesanya, and more. Regardless, Benavidez has a more permanent home for training in his father’s gym.

David Benavidez frequently trains at his father’s gym, Benavidez Sports Boxing Gym in Burien, alongside his father and brother, Jose Benavidez. The gym is headed by Jose Benavidez Sr., Daisy Delgado, and Alfonso Leal. According to their website, the gym offers boxing, kickboxing, and fitness training. 

That said, while David Benavidez is one of the top names in boxing, his father Jose Benavidez Sr. clearly had a significant role in shaping the champion into who and what he has become. What do you think about Benavidez Sr.’s journey?