Benavidez dominates gutsy Gavril to win one-sided unanimous decision in title defense

David Benavidez retained his WBC super middleweight title with a one-sided unanimous decision over the gutsy Ronald Gavril Saturday at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in a rematch from last September.

Benavidez (20-0, 17 KO's), 21, of Phoenix, Arizona, won by scores of 120-108 (X2) and 119-109. FightNights.com had it 118-110 for Benavidez.

Gavril (18-3, 14 KO's), a 31-year-old Romania native fighting out of Las Vegas, knocked down Benavidez in the 12th round of their record-breaking first fight, where Benavidez became the youngest 168-pound titleholder at 20, and was offered an immediate rematch by the champion.

Benavidez exhibited excellent fundamentals early and throughout the fight, splitting the guard with the jab, and connecting with the left hook to the body.

In the fourth round, Benavidez caught Gavril with a beautiful uppercut/left hook combination that sent the challenger flying into the ropes.

Benavidez followed it up with a four-punch combination, but Gavril refused to go down.

In the ninth round, Benavidez suffered an injury to his right hand, and fought with his right hand sporadically from that point forward.

Gavril spent the final rounds trying to impose his will on his opponent, and despite backing Benavidez into the ropes, he was unable to capitalize.

Benavidez was still backing up Gavril consistently behind his left jab, and cruised to the victory.