David Benavidez

David Benavidez defeats David Lemieux through decisive TKO to demonstrate his title credentials

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David Benavidez exhibited all of these characteristics against David Lemieux on Saturday night

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In front of a raucous home crowd, the unbeaten Benavidez demonstrated why he deserves another championship opportunity

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Benavidez bloodied and pummelling Lemieux, forcing a third-round stoppage in Glendale's Gila River Arena

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Benavidez has established himself as a mandatory contender for the WBC super-middleweight belt

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The 25-year-old former champion from Phoenix wants to prove he can compete with the best in the category

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Benavidez dropped the smaller Canadian fighter with a left hook at the close of the first round, sending him into the corner

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According to referee Harvey Dock, Benavidez fired a flurry of blows and seized Lemieux as soon as the bell rang

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In the opening 30 seconds of the second round, a jab drove Lemieux (43-5, 36 KOs) into the ropes

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Lemieux's face was covered in blood, which had migrated to Benavidez's right arm as the favourite continued to hammer away

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