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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This was a homecoming that Oscar Collazo had in mind even before his first title win.
The diminutive Boricua spoke into existence the possibility of fighting in Puerto Rico both before and after his WBO strawweight title-winning knockout over Melvin Jerusalem on May 28 in Indio, California. The win was his third straight in California but felt he was long overdue to return home.
No better time for the occasion was selected than for his first title defense versus the Philippines’ Garen Diagan this Saturday from Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
"I'm very excited and happy. Two more days to come and we will make our first title defense in front of my people,” Collazo said during Thursday’s final pre-fight press conference. “I am very grateful that Golden Boy and DAZN together with Miguel Cotto Promotions have made my dream come true.
“I know that Diagan is ready to fight and will come in hungry, but I am ready for him and the World Championship belt will stay in my island of Puerto Rico."
Collazo (7-0, 5KOs) has not fought on his beloved island since his third pro fight. The March 2021 appearance in Old San Juan came on a night headlined by seven-division and reigning undisputed featherweight champion Amanda Serrano, who will be in attendance along with every reigning titlist from P.R.—WBO junior flyweight titlist Jonathan ‘Bomba’ Gonzalez, IBF bantamweight champ Emmanuel Rodriguez and IBF 140-pound claimant Subriel Matias.
"For me it is a sense of pride to fight and be the face of all Puerto Ricans,” insisted Collazo, a 26-year-old southpaw from Villalba, P.R. “I look forward to seeing you all on [Saturday]."
Collazo is listed as a -2200 favorite to prevail according to bet365 sportsbook, which lists Diagan (10-3, 5KOs) as a +1100 underdog ahead of his first career title fight.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
