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 Keith Idec
Tyson Fury figured he’d save the crowd the trouble and made fun of himself Sunday during a charity event in Salford, England.
The former heavyweight champion, appearing far heavier than when he was fighting, referred to himself as “a fat bastard” during a live interview with British Boxing Television (BBTV), according to The Sun, a London tabloid. The brash British star also said that he needs to lose more than 100 pounds before he returns to the ring in September or October.
“Well, as you can see, I’m in the fattest shape of me life,” a grinning Fury said. “I’m a fat bastard. I’ve had too much currie and pie in Manchester. But I have started training back after two years out of the ring nearly. … I’m on my fifth day in. [The weight will] come off sooner or later. I’ve only got eight stone [112 pounds] to lose.”
The 28-year-old Fury weighed in at 247 pounds prior to his upset of Wladimir Klitschko in their heavyweight title fight in November 2015. He didn’t state how much he currently weighs Sunday.
In addition to dealing with weight issues, the British Boxing Board of Control must lift Fury’s suspension before the 6-feet-9 heavyweight can fight again. The BBBC suspended Fury because he failed a United Kingdom Anti-Doping test for nandrolone, an anabolic steroid.
If the BBBC licenses Fury for a fall return, the former IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO champion would like to take a couple tune-up bouts before securing a very marketable domestic showdown with Anthony Joshua.
The 27-year-old Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs), of Watford, England, stopped Klitschko (64-5, 53 KOs) in the 11th round of their riveting slugfest April 29 at Wembely Stadium in London. Joshua and Klitschko are expected to meet in an immediate rematch sometime later this year.
“To be honest, I’ve got a few things going on,” Fury said. “I’m looking to be back September, October time.
“I’ll have a couple of warmup fights to try and get some of the fat off. Then we’ll go for the big [one against Joshua]. Everyone’s saying it’s a big one, but if I can’t beat a weightlifter, then I must be sh*t.”
Manchester’s Fury (25-0, 18 KOs), who was a 4-1 underdog when he beat Klitschko by unanimous decision 18-plus months ago, was supposed to face Klitschko in a rematch twice in 2016.
It was postponed from July 9 to October 29, and then canceled entirely due to Fury’s personal issues. The embattled ex-champion eventually gave up his heavyweight titles to seek treatment for alcoholism, drug addiction and depression.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.
