Boxing – Garcia vs Benavidez Jr Odds: Redemption Is at Stake

Once-promising boxers look to reignite their championship potential this Saturday. Danny “Swift” Garcia moves up to the junior middleweight division at 154 pounds to take on Jose Benavidez, Jr. Garcia and Benavidez have not been too active lately and especially in Benavidez’s case. That’s why the Garcia vs Benavidez Jr. odds favor the former quite significantly as he looks to become a contender in a new division.

Garcia vs Benavidez Fight Info

• Fighters: Danny Garcia (36-3-0, 21 KOs) vs Jose Benavidez, Jr. (27-1-1, 18 KOs)
• Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn
• Day/Time: Saturday, 9:00 p.m. ET
• Broadcast: Showtime

Garcia Ready to Start Fresh In a New Division

When his career is finished, Garcia may go down as one of the most underrated boxers of his career. The 34-year-old has fought the who’s who of the welterweight division. In fact, a third of his fights have come against someone who has held a belt including Errol Spence, Jr., Amir Khan, and Lamont Peterson.

Many can point to Garcia’s three losses as the most glaring part of his resume as they came against the biggest name fighters at the time like Spence and Keith Thurman. But the Thurman fight was razor-close and Spence may go down as the best welterweight of his era. Garcia has not fought since losing to Spence in December of 2020.

“I just needed a little time off,” Garcia told Yahoo Sports. “Mentally, I was kind of burned out. I was pretty worn out mentally and it didn’t make sense to fight in that mind frame. But I’ve got the hunger back. That was a rough year for me with the pandemic and everything else going on. So I needed a break but I feel like I’m back to my old self now.”

Moving up to junior middleweight may be beneficial for Garcia. For one, he does not need to cut as much weight. And second, he can fast-track his way to a title shot against Jermell Charlo given the champ’s need for a marquee matchup.

As the Garcia vs Benavidez Jr. odds indicate, the former two-weight world champion should have an impressive outing against his opponent. A dominant victory will almost surely set him up for another title fight.

What Does Benavidez Have Left?

Benavidez was at one point one of the brightest prospects. He was big in the amateur scene and even reached the USA Boxing National Championship title fight. He quickly steamrolled through his competition in the professional level, going unbeaten in his first 25 fights. Then he rolled into bad luck.

In 2016, he was shot in Phoenix and he hasn’t looked like the same fighter since. While he knocked out his next two opponents, he was completely outclassed by Terence Crawford. Injuries also plagued him and his legs appear done. Since his brutal loss to Crawford, Benavidez has only fought once: a draw against Francisco Emanuel Torres. Benavidez would have walked him down had it been earlier in his career.

The question now becomes how Benavidez will look following his four years of not winning a fight. He is more of a natural junior middleweight than Garcia and he will be the bigger boxer. That may entice some who bet on boxing fights to take a chance at him, especially at his long odds. But if he truly is a “washed” boxer, he is being used to make Garcia look good.

Benavidez’s name still carries weight hence he’ll continue getting opportunities like this. But a loss to Garcia, especially if it’s a lopsided one as the Garcia vs Benavidez Jr. odds hint, could be what keeps him in purgatory for a prolonged period.

But don’t tell the boxing odds to Benavidez. He’s back and is oozing with confidence, which could be the most important thing for him now.

“I feel great,” Benavidez said at the media workout. “I’m stronger than ever and I’m ready to pull off this upset. There are some people who are doubting me, but I know that I’m going to be the guy that gets the win that night.”

Flanked by his brother, two-time super middleweight champ David Benavidez, and his father, Jose Benavidez Sr., the 30-year-old may have a career resurgence.