David Benavidez has no shortage of HUGE fights on his radar. In an exclusive interview with BoxingScene, Jose Benavidez Sr. makes it clear that David still wants the biggest names at 175lbs including Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. Benavidez has previously said those are two fights he wants to make as he pursues more titles and major challenges. But there’s another name that could make things very interesting: Andy Ruiz Jr. Jose discusses the possibility of an all-Mexican showdown between Benavidez and the former heavyweight champion, along with David’s plans across multiple divisions. And with a potential Jai Opetaia showdown also building after the pair came face-to-face following Opetaia’s latest victory, Benavidez has some massive options ahead.
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Danny Garcia knows everything he plans to do in the ring in order to ignite his second welterweight title reign.
The blueprint for that strategy is being worked out by his father and head trainer, Angel Garcia. So too, apparently, is the post-fight celebration.
“We’re looking at going to Texas, going to Dallas… you know, they got their rivalry the (NFL’s Dallas Cowboys) versus the (Philadelphia) Eagles,” Angel Garcia explained—as only he can—during a virtual press conference to discuss the December 5 title fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“We’re gonna sit on their helmet right there at (AT&T) Stadium (the famed Dallas Cowboys star occupying the center of the 50-yard line) after Danny wins the title.
“I can’t tell you what we got but anything he got, we’re gonna respond with anything he bring to the table.”
The bout—which will air live on Fox Sports Pay-Per-View—marks the first fight back for Spence (26-0, 21KOs) since his horrific car crash last October in downtown Dallas. The fighting pride of nearby Desoto, Texas was hospitalized and considered fortunate to have survived, though with the wreck and his injuries suffered ultimately killing plans for a January 25 showdown for this very fight.
Philadelphia’s García (36-2, 21KOs) instead faced Ivan Redkach, easily taking a 12-round unanimous decision to preserve a rescheduled date with Spence. Several options were discussed—all of which were compromised by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic—before landing on December 5 virtually in Spence’s backyard.
Spence currently sits as a -400 betting favorite according to Bet365.com, which has García as a +275 underdog in efforts to ignite his second welterweight title reign and third overall spanning two weight divisions.
“I’ve been the underdog my whole career,” insists García, a former lineal 140-pound king and welterweight titlist who is riding a two-fight win streak. “That’s motivating to me. I just have to go in there and be myself. Just be Danny García, be myself 100% mentally and physically. Go in there, fight round by round, make adjustments and dig deep. That’s what a true champion is made of. That’s what I plan on doing December 5.”
No matter what comes of the night, the assurance from the challenger is that a better fight will come of the main event than the last time Spence played the massive venue.
Spence made the third defense of his welterweight title at this location last March, scoring a 12-round shutout of Mikey García (no relation to Danny) in his debut as a PPV main event.
The expectation from Spence supporters was for the Texas southpaw to score an easy knockout,. Spence—now a unified titlist following a thrilling 12-round win over Shawn Porter last September in Los Angeles—instead opted to show that he can box for 12 rounds and completely outclass his foe.
If the García family has their way on December 5, then there will not be any chance of a repeat.
“We’re gonna dictate the fight, first of all,” insists the elder García. “We’re gonna be on top of [Spence]. We’re not gonna do like Mikey did. He ran all night and he was glad he got out of there. He was glad he took the check and walked back. We’re not looking at none of that.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
