Jose Benavidez Jr.
Jose Benavidez Jr.

Jose Benavidez Jr

“El Phoenix”

RECORD

28 - 3 - 1

KOs

19

Weight 160 lbs (72.73 kg)

Age 31

Home Phoenix, Arizona,

Complete Stats

Hailing from the fighting Benavidez family, middleweight Jose Benavidez Jr. is poised to make his mark in his fourth division, a testament to his elite skill and will. Read Bio

Last Fight

Loss vs Jermall Charlo

Nov 25, 2023 / Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

Jose Benavidez Jr. LOSES to Jermall Charlo by UD in Round 10 of 10

Latest News

Jose Benavidez Jr. News
David BenavidezPBC Boxing Video
Nov 26, 2023 / David Benavidez vs Demetrius Andrade, David Benavidez, Demetrius Andrade, Jermall Charlo, Jose Benavidez Jr., Subriel Matias, Shohjahon Ergashev, Lamont Roach, Hector Luis Garcia, Michel Rivera, Sergey Lipinets, Vito Mielnicki Jr.

Domination! David Benavidez Stops Demetrius Andrade In Six Rounds

The two-time world champion remains unbeaten -- and move a step closer to a Canelo Alvarez bout -- with a sensational performance Saturday night on SHOWTIME Pay-Per-View.

Benavidez vs AndradePBC Boxing Video
Nov 23, 2023 / David Benavidez vs Demetrius Andrade, Jermall Charlo vs Jose Benavidez Jr., David Benavidez, Demetrius Andrade, Jermall Charlo, Jose Benavidez Jr.

Benavidez vs. Andrade Is What Boxing Is All About

One of the best matchups of the year takes place Saturday night as two undefeated, two-time world champions square off in the main event of a PBC on SHOWTIME Pay-Per-View.

Emmanuel RodriguezPBC Boxing Video
Aug 13, 2023 / Emmanuel Rodriguez vs Melvin Lopez, Rodriguez vs Lopez, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Melvin Lopez, Gary Antuanne Russell, Kent Cruz, Gabriel Maestre, Travon Marshall, Michael Angeletti, Jose Benavidez Jr., Damien Vazquez

Emmanuel Rodriguez Defeats Melvin Lopez to Capture IBF Title

Puerto Rico's Lopez becomes a two-time IBF World Bantamweight World Champion, scoring three knockdowns on the gritty Lopez to win a wide decision in a PBC main event Saturday night on SHOWTIME.

Fights

Jose Benavidez Jr. Fights

LOSS vs Jermall Charlo 33-0-0

Nov 25, 2023 Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

Jermall Charlo WINS against Jose Benavidez Jr. by UD in Round 10 of 10

Win vs Sladan Janjanin 36-15-0

Aug 12, 2023 MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Sladan Janjanin by TKO in Round 5 of 10

LOSS vs Danny Garcia 37-3-0

Jul 30, 2022 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

Danny Garcia WINS against Jose Benavidez Jr. by MD in Round 12 of 12

Draw vs Francisco Emanuel Torres 17-3-0

Nov 13, 2021 Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr DRAWS with Francisco Emanuel Torres by MD in Round 10 of 10

LOSS vs Terence Crawford 33-0-0

Oct 13, 2018 CHI Health Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Terence Crawford WINS against Jose Benavidez Jr by TKO in Round 12 of 12

Win vs Frank Rojas 22-0-0

Jun 09, 2018 MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Frank Rojas by KO in Round 1 of 10

Win vs Matthew Strode 24-5-0

Feb 03, 2018 Bank of America Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Matthew Strode by TKO in Round 8 of 8

Win vs Francisco Santana 25-8-1

Jul 23, 2016 MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Francisco Santana by UD in Round 10 of 10

Win vs Sidney Siqueira 26-10-1

Dec 12, 2015 Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Sidney Siqueira by UD in Round 10 of 10

Win vs Jorge Paez Jr 38-5-2

May 15, 2015 US Airway Centre, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Jorge Paez Jr by TKO in Round 12 of 12

WIN vs Mauricio Herrera 21-4-0

Dec 13, 2014 The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Mauricio Herrera LOSES to Jose Benavidez Jr by UD in Round 12 of 12

Win vs Henry Auraad 16-8-1

Jul 26, 2014 Celebrity Theater, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Henry Auraad by TKO in Round 1 of 8

Win vs Angel Hernandez 16-14-1

May 17, 2014 Selland Arena, Fresno, California, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Angel Hernandez by UD in Round 6 of 6

Win vs Prince Doku Jr 18-4-0

Mar 29, 2014 Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Prince Doku Jr by UD in Round 6 of 6

Win vs Abraham Alvarez 17-4-1

Nov 16, 2013 AVI Resort & Casino, Laughlin, Nevada, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Abraham Alvarez by TKO in Round 2 of 6

Win vs Pavel Miranda 19-7-1

Oct 13, 2012 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Pavel Miranda by UD in Round 8 of 8

Win vs Javier Loya 7-0-0

Aug 04, 2012 Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Javier Loya by TKO in Round 4 of 6

Win vs Josh Sosa 10-2-0

May 26, 2012 Casino Del Sol, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Josh Sosa by UD in Round 6 of 6

Win vs Samuel Santana 4-4-2

Nov 12, 2011 MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Samuel Santana by UD in Round 6 of 6

Win vs Dedrick Bell 6-9-0

Sep 17, 2011 BlueWater Resort & Casino, Parker, Arizona, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Dedrick Bell by KO in Round 1 of 6

Win vs Corey Alarcon 14-17-1

Jun 11, 2011 Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Chandler, Arizona, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Corey Alarcon by TKO in Round 4 of 6

Win vs James Hope 6-7-1

May 07, 2011 MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against James Hope by TKO in Round 5 of 6

Win vs Fernando Rodriguez 5-1-0

Jan 22, 2011 Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Fernando Rodriguez by UD in Round 6 of 6

Win vs Winston Mathis 6-2-0

Nov 13, 2010 Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Winston Mathis by TKO in Round 3 of 6

Win vs Manuel Delcid 4-2-0

Sep 11, 2010 Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Manuel Delcid by TKO in Round 2 of 6

Win vs Josh Beeman 4-6-3

Jun 26, 2010 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Josh Beeman by KO in Round 1 of 4

Win vs Ronnie Peterson 3-1-0

May 29, 2010 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Ronnie Peterson by KO in Round 1 of 4

Win vs Arnoldo Pacheco 3-4-1

May 08, 2010 La Feria de San Marcos , Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Arnoldo Pacheco by TKO in Round 1 of 4

Win vs Scott Paul 5-4-0

Apr 10, 2010 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Scott Paul by TKO in Round 2 of 4

Win vs Robert Hill 1-3-0

Mar 12, 2010 Gaylord Hotel, Grapevine, Texas, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Robert Hill by TKO in Round 3 of 4

Win vs John Michael Vega 0-1-0

Feb 13, 2010 Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against John Michael Vega by TKO in Round 1 of 4

Win vs Steven Cox 1-0-0

Jan 16, 2010 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Jose Benavidez Jr WINS against Steven Cox by TKO in Round 1 of 4

Stats

Jose Benavidez Jr “El Phoenix”

  • WINS 28
  • LOSSES 3
  • DRAWS 1
  • KOs 19

Weight 160 lbs (72.73 kg)

Height 5'10½" (1.79 m)

Reach 71" (180 cm)

  • Born

    May 15, 1992
  • Age

    31
  • Country

    USA
  • Born in

    Panorama City, CA
  • Trains in

    Phoenix, AZ
  • Stance

  • Rounds Boxed

    172
  • KO Percentage

    67.86%
  • Boxing Hero

Fighter data provided by BoxRec Ltd. View disclaimer

Bio

Jose Benavidez Jr Bio

Hailing from the fighting Benavidez family, former interim super lightweight world champion Jose Benavidez Jr. is poised to make his mark in his fourth division, a testament to his elite skill and will.

Championship Dreams

Jose Benavidez Jr. started doing morning road work when he was about two or three-years-old, according to Jose Sr. The father made mini pads for his son to punch. Before he was in kindergarten, Jose Jr. was sparring.

“I got my inspiration from my Dad [and] my family,” Jose Jr. told Sports Illustrated. “Since I was six years old, I’ve been dreaming of being a world champion.”

Jose Jr.’s sparring sessions against champions Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosley, Amir Khan and Timothy Bradley were a catalyst to an amateur career during where he went 120-5, earned 11 national titles, a pair of Silver Glove championships, and qualified for both the Junior Olympics and the U.S National Team.

A 17-year-old Benavidez debuted professionally in January 2010. His 81-second TKO of Steve Cox representing the first of nine knockouts wins over an 11-month span. 

Nicknamed “Merciless,” Benavidez turned 18 on May 15, between first-round stoppages of Arnoldo Pachecho on May 8 and Ronnie Pearson on May 29. 

Benavidez’s fast start was in line with his penchant for fast vehicles. 

“I had the Maserati, and when I was 17, I had two more,” Benavidez told The Arizona Daily Star. “It’s a hobby. I’ve had Corvettes, Vipers, Escalades. But better to spend money on cars than get into drugs or bad stuff.”

Hunting For Titles

Benavidez went 5-0 (3 KOs) in 2011, the three stoppages being separated by six-round unanimous decisions over Fernando Rodriguez in May and Samuel Santana in June. 

Four more victories (two knockouts) covered 2012 and 2013.

Benavidez had been fighting with an injured right hand first broken against Santana, after which he required surgery to remove an extra bone and repair a tendon. 

“We decided to go through with surgery and rest,” said Benavidez. “Not fighting because of a broken hand was frustrating, but it turned into motivation.”

Benavidez returned to defeat Sosa and Loya, re-aggravated his hand against Miranda, and took another break before his second-round TKO of Abraham Alvarez in November 2013 at a then-career-high 146 pounds. 

“It turns out [Jose Jr.] had been fighting with an extra bone in his hand,” said Jose Sr., whose son was 18-0 (14 KOs). “It’s a good thing we’ve always worked on the jab.  I knew he could handle it.”

Benavidez won four bouts in 2014 comprising consecutive six-round unanimous decisions over Prince Doku in March and Angel Hernandez in May, a two-knockdown, first-round TKO of Henry Auraad in July, and a unanimous decision that dethroned WBA 140-pound champ Mauricio Herrera in December. 

“Herrera was very aggressive but I was catching him as he walked into my punches,” said Benavidez, who rose to 22-0 (15 KOs). "I landed all of my combinations, my uppercuts and my body shots. I know I won this fight.”

On May 15th, 2015, his 23rd birthday, Benavidez retained his crown with a 12th-round stoppage of Jorge Paez Jr. before his hometown fans at Phoenix, Arizona’s US Airway Centre. 

“There was no way I was going to lose my title in my hometown,” said Benavidez, who floored Paez with a right uppercut in the third round. “But Paez was really tough. I didn’t think he’d get up after that knockdown. Man, he can take a punch.”

Benavidez weighed a career-high 152 ¼ for his next fight in December 2015, a 10-round unanimous decision over Brazil’s Sidney Siqueira. At 24-0 (16 KOs), Benavidez officially left the 140-pound division. 

Battles In and Outside The Ring

Benavidez returned to action in July 2016, winning a slugfest by unanimous decision over 148-pound Francisco Santana. But on August 23, while he was walking his dog near his home in Phoenix, a man shot Benavidez in the main artery of his right leg just above the knee. 

“The guy came out of nowhere. [The doctor] said, ‘Forget about boxing. It’s not in the picture,’”said Benavidez of what appeared to be a life-threatening injury due to the volume of blood loss. “He said,  ‘You’re not going to box anymore,’ but I knew I would fight again, whatever it took to do that.”

Benavidez returned for consecutive knockout victories in 2018, ending a 19-month absence in February with an eighth-round TKO of Matthew Strode, followed by an impressive 84-second knockout in June of Frank Rojas.

Rojas entered at 22-0 (21 KOs) but failed to rise from a left to a liver set up by a straight right from Benavidez, who improved to 27-0 with his 18th knockout victory.

“I felt better tonight. Last time out, I hadn’t fought in nearly 18 months, so there was some ring rust,” said Benavidez. “He was 22-0 with 21 knockouts. I didn’t go in there trying to knock him out right away, but I caught him with some clean shots and he couldn’t get back up.”

But Benavidez lost for the first time in October 2018, being stopped with 18 seconds left in the 12th round by switch-hitting, three-division WBO 147-pound champion Terence Crawford.

Benavidez wore a black sleeve over the scar where he was shot on his right knee, which the loser said began to hamper him after the seventh round.

“When he fought Terence Crawford, his leg was 60-to-70 percent. I was nervous in the Crawford fight because I didn’t know how the leg would react,” said Jose Sr. “He showed he has heart and did better than I thought. I don’t think he’ll ever be 100 percent recovered, but if we can get 80 percent, I’ll be happy with that.”

Jose Jr. was positive in defeat. 

“I gave a hell of a fight to the best fighter in the world,” said Jose Jr. “He’s a great fighter, but I’m a great fighter, too. We gave the fans a great show.”

Benavidez wouldn't fight again for three years, concentrating on his family and life outside the ring.

On November 13, 2021, he returned to the ring to face Emanuel Torres. The bout occurred at Footprint Center in Benavidez's hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, with younger brother David on the card in a PBC on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing event. Benavidez and Torres battled to a majority draw. The judges scored the contest 96-94 for BenavĂ­dez and 95-95 twice. 

“I don’t know how I got a draw,” a disappointed BenavĂ­dez said over loud boos from a hometown crowd that so badly wanted to see Benavidez earn the win. “We can run it back. I beat him. I thought I beat him. He kept running. He didn’t want to stay in the pocket. I can’t do anything about the judges’ decisions. I felt good. He just kept holding. I beat him every round. What can I do?”

In July 2022, Benavidez suffered another setback, losing a 12-round majority decision to two-division champ Danny Garcia in a 154-pound battle. Garcia’s superior hand and foot speed left Benavidez trailing him for much of the night, looking to land right hands over Garcia’s vaunted left hook.
 
Benavidez best moment came in round nine when he connected on one of those right hands and popped Garcia’s head back, but he was unable to capitalize on the attack enough to change the trajectory of the fight.
 
“I’m happy with my performance,” said Benavidez. “I feel like I did good. I’m fighting in his backyard, one of the best, I took his punches like they were nothing. I thought I won the fight. But it is what it is, a loss makes you stronger.
 
“It’s tough, things don’t always go your way, there are ups and downs. I try to be positive, like when the doctor said I would never walk again. I didn’t let that get to me. I kept on going.”

Undeterred, Benavidez bounced back on August 12, 2023, dominating all five rounds of his scheduled 10-round middleweight bout with Bosnian bruiser Sladan Janjanin (36-16). Benavidez, Jr. (28-2-1, 19 KOs) knocked down his opponent in the first, third and fourth rounds before a series of brutal body blows in the fifth convinced Janjanin’s corner to throw in the towel after the round. However, on November 25, 2023, Benavidez would lose a 10-round decision to undefeated WBC Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo in a non-title bout.