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 Terence Dooley
David Coldwell of Coldwell Boxing Promotions has confirmed that David Barnes will meet Italy’s Giuseppe Lauri at Bolton’s De Vere Whites Hotel on February 24th. Barnes won British titles at light-welter and welterweight before taking a break from the sport; Lauri, 52-9 (31), challenged for the EBU belt on four occasions, coming up short against Ted Bami, twice, Paul McCloskey and Denis Shafikov. However, the 35-year-old Italian is a former Italian national titlist and has previously held the EBU-EU light-welterweight belt.
Barnes, 25-2-1 (11), returned to the ring with a decision win over Isaac Quartey on November 26th. The talented southpaw worked his shots well in that one; the 30-year-old is now with Oldham-based trainer Karl Ince.
The Barnes-Lauri bill feature the return of recently dethroned British light-middleweight titlist Prince Arron. Prince will take part in an eight rounder as he bids to wipe away the memory of this month’s decision defeat to local rival Brian Rose. Chris Johnson is also on the bill along with Mike Stafford and Sheffield’s Navid Mansouri – ‘Nav’ meets Bristol’s Martin Robins over six-threes.
Coldwell has also resurrected the hotly anticipated Curtis Woodhouse versus Jason Cook fight after the Welshman was cleared to box on by the BBBoC. Woodhouse had hoped to meet Cook last month only for the board to nix the bout due to medical concerns. Cook has now been the go-ahead and the two will meet on March 2nd at Birmingham’s New Bingley Hall.
Local boy Max Maxwell fights Mark Lloyd on the same bill for the vacant English 154lb belt left behind when Rose become the British champion. ‘Mad Max’ holds a KO win over Rose and will no doubt press for a rematch should he pick up Brian’s old title.
For further details visit http://www.coldwellboxing.com or follow Dave on Twitter @davidcoldwell.
Please send news and views to neckodeemus@hotmail.co.uk or Twitter @Terryboxing.
