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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The standout news from the latest British Boxing Board of Control championship circular was the confirmation that a deal has been reached for Fabio Wardley, 17-0-1 (16 KOs), to defend his British heavyweight title against Frazer Clarke, 8-0-1 (6 KOs) in a rematch.
In March, the two boxed to a thrilling split draw and a return has seemed an inevitability since.
There have been rumors that the fight will land on the undercard of the undisputed light heavyweight title fight between WBC, WBO and IBF champion, Artur Beterbiev, and WBA title holder, Dmitry Bivol, which takes place in Saudi Arabia on October 12 but – as yet – there has been no official confirmation.
With a number of British titles having changed hands over the past couple of months, this month’s circular was relatively quiet although there were a couple of interesting updates.
Last month, the Board announced that they were waiting for Ben Shalom to provide them with a date and venue for the vacant junior middleweight title fight between Sam Gilley and Louis Greene. This month, they have put the fight back out to purse bids.
Last October, Gilley, 17-1 (8 KOs), and Greene, 17-4 (11 KOs), engaged in a brutal battle for the Commonwealth title. Gilley won a hard-fought decision but hasn’t boxed since. Purse bids will be opened on September 11 and the fight must take place before the end of January 2025.
July’s circular also stated that a deal had been agreed for Commonwealth junior welterweight champion, Jack Rafferty, 23-0 (14 KOs), to fight the unbeaten Henry Turner, 13-0 (5 KOs), for the vacant 140lbs title on a Frank Warren show. On Thursday, it was announced that the excellent clash of styles will take place on the undercard of Nick Ball’s WBA featherweight title defense against Ronny Rios in Liverpool on October 5.
Purse bids have been called for an exciting super featherweight title fight between champion Reece Bellotti,19-5 (14 KOs), and the unbeaten Michael Gomez Jnr, 21-1 (6 KOs). Bellotti is enjoying a purple patch. In February, he won the title by beating Liam Dillon in a mini-classic and then made a comfortable first defense against Levi Giles last month. Gomez Jnr – whose famous father held the very same belt – is the reigning English champion and is back in full training after injury.
Earlier this week, British flyweight champion, Jay Harris, 21-3 (11 KOs) told BoxingScene that he was growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of activity. Stylish Commonwealth champion, Conner Kelsall, 12-0 (1 KO), seemed his most likely opponent but Harris had no idea if, when or where a fight would take place. The former world title challenger shouldn’t have to wait too much longer for news. The board announced that Frank Warren will promote the fight with a date and venue awaited. As Kelsall is also the mandatory challenger for Harris’ European title, a major triple title showdown should be on the cards.
The rest of the circular read as follows.
HEAVYWEIGHT
FABIO WARDLEY (Holder) v FRAZER CLARKE
Following agreement being reached by both parties, the above contest will be promoted on a date and venue to be advised.
CRUISERWEIGHT
CHEAVON CLARKE (Holder)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
JOSHUA BUATSI (Holder)
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT
CALLUM SIMPSON (Holder)
MIDDLEWEIGHT
BRAD PAULS (Holder)
SUPER WELTERWEIGHT (Vacant)
SAM GILLEY v LOUIS GREENE
The Stewards decided to put out the above contest to Purse bids to be submitted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions to the Board’s Head Office by 12:00noon on Wednesday, 11th September 2024, the contest to take place by the end of January 2025.
WELTERWEIGHT
HARRY SCARFF (Holder) v LIAM TAYLOR
Following agreement being reached between the parties the above contest to be promoted by Nisse Sauerland will take place on date and at a venue to be advised.
SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT (Vacant)
HENRY TURNER v JACK RAFFERTY
Following agreement being reached between the parties the above contest to be promoted by Frank Warren will take place on date and at a venue to be advised.
LIGHTWEIGHT
SAM NOAKES (Holder)
REGAN GLACKIN V KYLE BOYD
The above final eliminator contest to be promoted by Sam Kynoch, will take place on 21st September 2024 in Glasgow.
This Contest is also for the Celtic Lightweight Championship.
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT
REECE BELLOTTI (Holder) v MICHAEL GOMEZ JNR
The Stewards decided to put out the above contest to Purse bids to be submitted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions to the Board’s Head Office by 12:00noon on Wednesday, 11th September 2024, the contest to take place by the end of January 2025.
FEATHERWEIGHT
NATHANIEL COLLINS (Holder)
SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT
DENNIS MCCANN (Holder)
BANTAMWEIGHT
ANDREW CAIN (Holder)
SUPER FLYWEIGHT
MARCEL BRAITHWAITE (Holder) v BRANDON DAORD
Following agreement being reached between the parties the above contest to be promoted by Lee Eaton will take place on a date and at a venue to be advised.
FLYWEIGHT
JAY HARRIS (Holder) v CONNER KELSALL
The above contest to be promoted by Frank Warren, on a date and at a venue to be advised.
