David Benavidez/Photo courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions

One might think that David Benavidez (15-0, 14 KOs) is a heavy favorite to defeat Denis Douglin (20-4, 13 KOs) in the super middleweight main event Friday at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia (on ESPN), based on their respective records.  But Benavidez is only 19, Douglin is a southpaw and the New Jersey native is much closer to home than Benavidez, of Phoenix, will be when they square off.

Benavidez won’t be taking Douglin lightly, though, and that’s the right attitude to take into any fight.

David Benavidez/Photo courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions

Super middleweight David Benavidez has yet to crack the top 15 in the rankings, but at 15-0 with 14 knockouts, the 19-year-old from Phoenix could be knocking on that door.

Benavidez on Aug. 5 will try to continue his ascent when he takes on Denis Douglin (20-4, 13 KOs) in the 10-round main event from 2300 Arena in Philadelphia (on ESPN).

Benavidez is coming off a seventh-round TKO of then-undefeated Francy Ntetu on June 25. When he steps into the ring against Douglin, Benavidez will be only six weeks removed from that bout.

“We never stopped training after my last fight,” Benavidez said. “We went right back into camp and I’m already in fighting shape. Douglin is a tough southpaw. We’ll start looking at tape and see what kind of holes he has. I’ll start with the jab and break him down. We’re working hard toward bigger and bigger fights.”

Douglin, of Marlboro, N.J., is convinced he’ll hand Benavidez his first defeat.

“I plan on applying pressure and making Benavidez adjust to my style,” he said. “He’s a tall, strong fighter, but he doesn’t use his height. He’s one-dimensional, but he’s very good at what he does. He doesn’t have the experience to deal with my style. I am stepping in with an undefeated fighter, but he will leave the ring with a loss.”

Benavidez is 6-foot-2.