What is Jose Benavidez's ceiling?

I think this kid is the next mega superstar in the sport. Everything I see and hear about him I like. How high can he go? What are his strengths? What are his flaws? What weight class will he settle in at?

I know most of his fights only go a few rounds if that, but what are your initial impressions?

I'll go out on a limb and predict greatness. I watched his sparring session with Manny Pacquiao and his 1st round KO the other night . His combos are hard and fluid. He has a naturual flow to his punches that cannot be taught (See Andre Berto. lol). I would like to see more movement, however you can't have everything. If Evander Holyfield had more movement, I think he would've been even more successful. I'm a believer that all combo punchers need to move or train very hard on defensive skills. It makes them untouchable for the most part. Benavidez might like to brawl. If he does, he'll get away with it, much like Holyfield and Oscar did. He seems to have KO power as well. A+ career so far.

Keep in mind that the sparring video isn't that recent either. I think he might have still been 17! I really see the total package in him. And he's around all the right people at a young age. He gets to see Pacquiao and Khan's work ethic every day.

I also think he's one of the guys Freddie favors. He takes on a ton of projects, but from what I've heard he's invested a lot of himself in Benavidez because he sees potential. That says volumes to me.

Settle down guys.

Take into account his management team. They'll probably protect him to the point that he'll lose to some journeyman.

He looks very good now but I'll wait until he has twenty fights or so before I crown him the next great all timer.

The bandwagon starts now. And it doesn't come back for stops along the way.

I haven't seen enough to really say. All I know is every fight/clip of him I've seen, he has been impressive. He throws good combinations and seems to understand how to set up his punches.

You really don't know until the competition level increases.

Ive seen most of his fights already and I think Greatness isnt out of the question. Hes already training with a stable of champs, World calss trainer and had a great amatuer career. He has speed and power, so he has it all to be great. Benavidezes defense and chin needs to be tested, but we've senn that not many Mexican(mex-American) fighters arent cursed with glass so I doubt hes like Khan, but defense is almost always a flaw. Management will dictate the way he goes about in his career. Vargas looked to be great until Tito destroyed him.

With the current state of boxing being in a depression, void of new, exciting talent, I'm going to follow this guy, Jose Benavidez, and study him like a virus. I’m convinced he’s a protégé. I can’t afford to see him as anything else. I’ve predicted greatness for many fighters at an early stage (Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao) and been correct. I’ve also been incorrect (Oba Carr) however I feel good about this guy. With so much natural ability, KO power (I have to watch again to see if he has it in both hands) and lightening fast combos to the body and head, I can’t see how this guy is a miss. I repeat, I pray that someone teaches this guy movement. Don’t just fight out of a standard fundamental style with all those gifts. I’m not suggesting that Benavidez has to be an Ali or a Willie Pep, just move enough to hit opponents with punches they can’t see. Look at old “Hector Camacho” films. Those are the ones that put people out. Unless I’m terribly wrong, things are exciting again with the presence of Manny and the up and coming future ATG, Benavidez. Of course, people will say my praise of this fighter is coming much too early. My answer is, what kind of fun is it to predict a fighter is special when he’s already won 3 titles? This is the very beginning of something that I think will explode. Good going Freddie. You’re an inspiration to the sport.