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October 15, 2024

Local Boxer Gets Title Shot

By Andy Collier, The Bolivar Bullet

Over the past two years, Benito Mayorga has been working his up the ladder in boxing.

In four fights dating back to April 23, 2022 when he made his debut, he is 2-2 with both of his losses coming by decision. He won his debut by technical knockout in Paris, Tenn. and won his most recent fight by split decision against Derrick Young on June 24 at Shotgun Entertainment Fight Championships 28 in Southaven. 

One of the goals Mayorga has wanted is to win a championship. 

On Jan. 6 at the Landers Center in Southaven, Mayorga will get that chance as he will take on Rashad McWilliams for the Shotgun Entertainment Fighting Championships 170-pound Boxing Title at SEFC 29.

Mayorga is pumped up about the opportunity to bring home a title belt. 

“I’m excited for it. I’ve trained two years for this moment. It’s all or nothing,” said the 27-year-old with a chuckle and a smile at the Wolfpak MMA gymnasium. 

In Mayorga’s most recent fight, he battled in a grueling four-round fight that went back and forth. 

Mayorga said the win gave him some extra fire as he began training for this upcoming fight. 

“It was definitely some motivation,” said Mayorga. “I won, but I wouldn’t have been mad if I didn’t win. It was pretty close and pretty interesting.”

Mayorga has worked hard to make progress since his first fight approximately 21 months ago. 

“In my first fight, I was falling over myself,” said Mayorga. “Everything that hurts the most, you train to make stronger. You want to be able to move around.”

To stay in shape for every fight, Mayorga said he treats boxing like an occupation. 

“No matter what, I still have to train and take it as a job,” said Mayorga. “ Even if I don’t want to go to the gym, I have to go.”

Mayorga’s fight with McWilliams coming up has the makings of being a good one. McWilliams won the TCB Middleweight Championship at TCB Fights Fall Brawl on Nov. 18 against CJ Smith at the Lyric in Oxford. 

Mayorga said McWilliams will present a tough challenge for him on Saturday. 

“I know he’s been in the boxing game as long as I have or maybe longer,” said Mayorga. “He’s been on a couple of cards with me. I know he can fight, and I’m looking forward to it. It should be interesting to watch and a challenge for myself.”

Mayorga, whose ultimate goal is to go professional, would love nothing more right now than to bring home a title.

“That’s why we’re doing it,” said Mayorga. “It would mean a lot to bring it home, and it’s something I feel like I’ve worked two years for.” SEFC 29 will begin at 7:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on www.ticketmaster.com. The fights will be live streamed on the Slice Fight Network.

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