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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Junior middleweight contender Brian Mendoza has arrived in Australia, as he looks to get accustomed to the time difference for his upcoming world title showdown with WBO beltholder Tim Tszyu, which takes place on October 15 [October 14 on Showtime in the United States].
Mendoza is coming off a hot streak of wins, which include a knockout of former world champion Jeison Rosario and a sensational one-punch KO of Sebastian Fundora. The win over Fundora earned Mendoza the WBC's interim-title.
The fight between Tszyu and Mendoza takes place at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.
Both fighters were mandatory challengers to undisputed world champion Jermell Charlo, who last weekend moved up in weight by two divisions to challenge Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.
Once Charlo stepped in the ring, Tszyu was automatically elevated to the status of 'full' champion by the sanctioning body.
The WBO's decision has provided Mendoza with the opportunity to challenge for a world title.
“We had a peaceful flight over here. We made sure we didn’t want to come out here just a few days before because it is a big time difference from America. We’re ready to go,” Mendoza told Fox Sports News.
“I never look past any of my opponents, how can I? I’m the underdog in this fight. He’s a tough fighter, a warrior. I’m just going in there and if anything I’m looking more at what I bring to the table rather than what he’s lacking.
“I think I bring something to the table that he hasn’t seen before. They’ve all brought different things to the table [my previous opponents] and I think Tim is going to be a different type of tough. With Tim it’s going to be a lot of pressure and big shots because we both go for the knockout.
“I’ve been using that word [underdog] and I’m thriving in this role because the victories are that much sweeter when you pull it off. When you go into the ring against a guy you are expected to beat, it’s not the same but upsetting the odds, upsetting the world and even shocking the world, it’s so much sweeter. I’m enjoying this role and I plan to be an underdog for a long time because even after this, I plan on taking tougher and tougher fights.”
