Special Report from Don Smith: Top Rank Boxing prospect Jose Benavidez Jr. (25-0) was shot twice on Sunday, August 21 in Phoenix, Arizona while taking his dog for an evening walk at roughly 6pm.
The 24 year old welterweight contender was taken to a Phoenix area hospital where he was treated for bullet wounds to a knee and hand. Reportedly, he was to be released from the hospital today and the family hopes his supporters will pray for him and it isn’t known what effects the shooting will have on the resumption of his career. The main concern now is his safety and health.
Jose, a California resident, was visiting his girlfriend in Phoenix when the shooting incident occurred. According to a family spokesperson, Jose and his dog were approached by a young man, wearing a hoodie, who asked Benavidez Jr. if his dog was friendly to which Jose replied yes. The perpetrator then pulled out a handgun and fired twice.
Upon hearing the shots, Jose‘s girlfriend (name withheld) ran outside; noticed blood and immediately called 911. As a reporter well known to the family, I attempted to reach Jose Jr. at the hospital but due to security reasons and the nature of the incident was unable to talk to him. It is believed he was admitted under an assumed name.
It is unknown whether or not the shooting incident is related to the unsolved mystery surrounding the burning of his car in California earlier year. Arizona Boxing News & Notes placed a call to the Phoenix Police Department for additional information and we are still awaiting an official response.
The Benavidez Family called our assignment desk and asked that we correct earlier reports that suggested the incident happened on Tuesday, August 23 and not on the actual day and date, Sunday August 21. We will update our readers when new and accurate information reaches us.
