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.
ProboxTV’s championship series is now on the ProBoxTV YouTube channel for $5/month.
Learn More
Carlos Canizales came to grips with the seven-month delay towards realizing his lifelong dream.
The hard-hitting junior flyweight gained sweet revenge over Panya Pradabsri, whom he stopped in the fifth round of their August 1 rematch in his hometown of Caracas, Venezuela. Both boxers were credited with knockdowns but it was Canizales, 28-3-1 (20 KOs), who had the last laugh as he dethroned Thailand's Pradabsri, 44-3 (27 KOs).
“I am very happy to have had the opportunity to win the world title," Canizales told WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman via Zoom during the sanctioning body's weekly Martes de Café session. "It was a very special night for me, my family, and my country.
“It was a well-deserved rematch, and based on hard work and heart, I was able to win. Thank God I won the world title, and now I am part of the Great Green and Gold Champions of the WBC.”
Pradabsri - a former WBC strawweight titlist - won their first meeting and the vacant WBC 108lbs title via highly questionable majority decision last December 26 in Bangkok, Thailand. Most observers felt that Canizales deserved the nod. Sulaiman was chief among them, as he ordered an instant review of the fight, which led to the WBC Board of Governors ordering an immediate rematch.
This time, it was Canizales who was provided a rare home game in a title fight, and he made the moment count.
"Champion, we are very proud of the great fight you put on," Sulaiman told Canizales. "You got up from the canvas to knock out a tough opponent you had already fought. I want to invite you to come to Mexico to receive your world champion belt in a few weeks at our “Martes de Café.”
The invitation was immediately accepted by the sport's newest major title claimant.
“Of course. It will be an honor for me to visit Mexico and receive my belt from you," Canizales replied. "The Green and Gold WBC Title is something I have dreamed of since I was a child, and now it is a reality. I’ll see you there in a few weeks.”
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.
