WBC interim super middleweight champion David Benavidez defended his title against challenger Caleb Plant on March 25. After 6 hotly contested rounds, Benavidez took control thanks to his power and the judges’ scorecards made it clear at the end: 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111.
Even with a broken nose and clearly hurt and dazed, Plant managed to survive the championship rounds and finish the fight with pride. Benavidez’s victory puts him one step closer to a fight with Canelo Alvarez.
This was his ring entrance in the company of Grupo Maximo Grado:
Máximo Grado is a regional Mexican group from Culiacán, Sinaloa. They play danceable corridos almost exclusively, with a few select rancheras in the mix. Audiences often know every word of their songs and sing along easily, something the band actively encourages.
They came together in 2011 behind frontman Cristian Felix. Innovative accordionist Alexis Valenzuela (who also sings backup), Adrian Martinez on sixth bass, drummer Jesus Romero, electric bassist Christian Sanchez (who also serves as second lead vocalist) and percussionist Willy Saldaña. The band’s principal composer is non-performing member Jesús E. Muñoz Sánchez.
Maximo Grado’s unique sound signature includes syncopated drums, swirls, staccato accordion and a series of dialogues in their vocal attack. In addition, they do not sing narcocorridos or any songs that promote violence; rather, they detail family and country life. It speaks to their intergenerational appeal and distinguishes them from many other corrido groups in Sinaloa.
After attracting public interest by releasing a series of videos on social media, the band hit the road over the next few years, perfecting their sound. Their debut album was 2014’s live La Vida del León, followed by the studio effort Yo Soy Ivan on HyPhy in 2014. In 2015, the pre-release single “Unas Heladas” hit several regional Mexican music playlists, and the full-length Marca Acme was released in May 2015 by AfinArte Music.
With information from La raza