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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Lightweight contender Felix "El Diamante" Verdejo will return to the ring on December 12, as part of a Top Rank event that will take place at the MGM Grand's Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The opponent is being finalized, with the announcement targeted for next week.
Top Rank VP Carl Moretti confirmed that the Puerto Rican fighter has been in Las Vegas for 10 days training for his next engagement under the tutelage of Cuban coach Ismael Salas.
“We are looking at several potential opponents. We hope to announce it next week and it will be an interesting fight ,” Moretti said to Carlos Gonzalez. "He will be a quality opponent that will represent a great test for [Verdejo]."
Back in June, Verdejo looked sensational when he knocked out Will Madera in the first round to improve his record to 27-1 with 17 knockouts. Verdejo has now banked four consecutive wins since suffering the first defeat of his pro career.
“Although it was a short fight, it was excellent. You couldn't ask for more. It wasn't expected to be like that either, but he did it professionally, in the right way. It was a great camp and he beat a good opponent. It was what we expected and we are very happy with what he did,” Moretti said. "Undoubtedly his next opponent will be of higher quality."
Moretti also revealed that Top Rank's plans are for Verdejo to return to Madison Square Garden in New York by June 2021.
“Too much is dependent on COVID-19 and we don't know if Madison Square Garden will be available for the summer. We hope so... to have [Edgar] Berlanga and the others [on the card]. The reality is that we will be in the 'bubble' [at MGM Grand] in the first part of 2021. For how long after that? We don't know, but we would like to do a big event in New York with all of the Puerto Rican boxers we have. It would be a full house," Moretti said.
