168 lb Prospect Daniel Blancas Looks To Be The Next ‘Monster’ Coming Out of Team Benavidez

“My dad and uncle started going to a gym here in Milwaukee and brought me along when I was young,” Blancas told FightsATW. “By the time I was around 8 or 9, my dad asked if I wanted to box, and I said, ‘Sure, why not?’

“I started boxing because, as a kid, I was overweight. It started off as a way to keep me in shape, but then I started to like it. My Dad asked me if I wanted to compete, and I said ‘Yeah, sure; might as well.’”

Blancas began testing himself in the gym early on, competing as an amateur while his peers spent their days hanging out and enjoying the freedom of youth. He often felt like he was sacrificing his childhood for boxing. But at 15, everything changed—he won the USA Championship and earned a spot on the USA Boxing Team. In that moment, he knew the sacrifices made sense. It was all worth it.

Daniel Blancas’ Path Almost Went In A Different Direction

Even after earning a spot on the USA boxing team and committing fully to the sport, Blancas still entertained thoughts of another path—nursing. It may seem like a contradiction, given boxing’s brutal nature, but Blancas describes himself as someone who enjoys helping others. For him, being a nurse felt like the right career path.

“I went to school for Nursing, but that stuff is hard and it was taking a long time,” said Blancas. “I was getting my general courses done, but it was taking too long, and I wanted to go pro. I told my parents that instead of being a Nurse, I can become a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). I did the course, and in three months, I got my technical diploma to do that. That is my plan B because nothing is certain with boxing.”

Pro Debut, Getting With Team Benavidez & Sparring “The Mexican Monster”

Blancas made his professional debut in March 2022 on a ProBoxTV card, facing fellow debutant Andre Graham. He delivered a second-round knockout, but the moments leading up to the fight were anything but calm—he was a nervous wreck backstage. It wasn’t until one of his coaches shared a few words of wisdom with him that Blancas was able to steady himself and step into the ring with confidence.

“I still remember that day; I was really nervous,” Blancas recalled. “It’s crazy because I’ve been fighting since I was 8-9 years old, and for my pro debut, I’m really nervous and overthinking things. One of my coaches told me ‘It’s just another day at the office. You’ve been doing this for so long.’ He then asked, ‘How many amateur fights did you have?’ and I told him, ‘100.’ He replied, ‘Then this is fight 101.’ That stuck with me, and I was able to get back to focusing.”

After his fourth fight, Blancas traveled to California to visit family—when a prime opportunity presented itself. “My dad was able to set up a sparring [session] with David Benavidez.” 

“We sparred at the Brickhouse Gym in L.A. David (Benavidez) and Jose Sr. really liked the work, so we stayed in contact. Then they invited me to camp for the (Caleb) Plant fight so I could help David with sparring. We got along really good and afterwards, Jose Sr. asked me to join the team. Ever since then, we’ve been working together, and it’s been a blessing. I have so much love for Jose and Team Benavidez as they have been helping me grow.”

Reflecting on the experience of sparring a world champion like Benavidez, Blancas admitted he was nervous during their first session. His father offered simple but reassuring advice: focus on defense, and you’ll be fine. So how did Blancas feel about how it went? “I did really good with David,” he said.

The Future Looks Bright

Training under Jose Benavidez Sr. comes with its advantages—chief among them, the chance to work alongside elite fighters like David Benavidez and Diego Pacheco in a highly competitive camp. Blancas said Jose Sr. was impressed with his potential but noted that his style still leaned too heavily on his amateur background—something they’re actively working to refine. As for promotional ties, Blancas remains unsigned but continues to stay active. “Right now, I’m just working with different folks,” he told FightsATW. “I’ve been fighting on PBC cards a lot, so I’m trying to get in there.”

Blancas doesn’t have a fight scheduled just yet, but he’s heading back to Seattle, Washington, to begin training camp in hopes of landing a bout in the fall or winter. While his time around Team Benavidez has brought increased attention, Blancas remains grounded—fully aware of where he stands and what the fans expect to see.

“Me being a prospect, I’m still proving myself,” said Blancas. “Every fight, I come to entertain. I always look to bring a good fight. The fans want to see a good fight, so that’s what I want to give them.”

Blancas has the tools, the team, and the foundation to reach new heights. Now, it’s up to him to deliver—fight by fight—to win over the crowd and build his fan base. Is he the next “Monster” to emerge from Team Benavidez? How he closes out the year will offer fans a clearer picture of his identity in the ring and the scope of his potential.