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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By Andy Rivera
Later tonight in Las Vegas, New Mexico’s Cuauhtemoc Vargas battles Tomas Villa to unify the WBC Continental and NABA Super-bantamweight titles. The 21-year-old Vargas is taking it one step at a time as he is in no rush to get a world title shot, if he is successful against Villa. Vargas feels that he is about 3 or 4 fights away to fulfilling the dream of being on top of the world.
Vargas, who is the cousin of former featherweight contender Goyo Vargas and is promoted by Don Chargin and Lenny Fresquez, whom will co-promote Firday’s card with Golden Boy Productions, brings his unbeaten 14-0 9KOs record up against Villa. Villa, who was last seen in July halting another unbeaten prospect in David Martinez in Martinez’s hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico, which was seen on Telefutra. Villa over-powered the game Martinez, in which he claimed the NABA crown, now Villa looks to end Vargas’ streak as well. Vargas feels ready for the challenge of Villa.
”I’m ready to go and look impressive against Villa; I’m prepared to do my job.” says Vargas. Vargas who was last seen a month ago defeating Sal Bresino in his second home of Albuquerque. “I have had several of my fights here in New Mexico and they treat me good there, it is like a second home and I hope to someday bring a championship there.”
Vargas does expect a tough fight from Villa, who he says is a very busy fighter. “What I saw from the Martinez fight is that he stands in there and throws a lot of punches, which I feel I am prepared for when we do battle.”
If successful against Villa, Vargas wants to fight 3 to 4 more fights before he challenges for a world tile, but he wants to take it one fight at a time. “I have just Villa on my mind and once I get past him I can look ahead to the next opponent, but I’m focused on Villa.”
One opponent that Vargas would like to fight in the future is Daniel Ponce De Leon, who is fighting Saturday night for the WBO bantamweight tile against S Looknongyangtoy. A Vargas and De Leon battle would be an All-Mexican war as we all know De Leon only goes in on direction, forward.
Co-Promoter Lenny Vargas of Fresquez Productions isn’t in any rush with Vargas and knows his time will come. “He’s only 21 and still getting better with every fight, Friday night will be a telling night for us, as we know Villa is a tough fighter and will serve as big test for Vargas.”
Fighting once again on national television and being seen in South America as well, the “Aztec Warrior” looks to show that he is another Vargas that fans can mention when talking about boxing. “El Feroz” Fernando is the most famous Vargas, a win against Villa will send Cuauhtemoc in the right direction.
