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 Rick Reeno
The president of Hennessy Sports, Mick Hennessy, expects an explosive fight when David Haye defends his heavyweight title on Saturday night. In his fourth bout as a heavyweight, Haye makes the first defense of his WBA title at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England, against two-time champion John Ruiz.
Hennessy tips Haye's trash-talking abilities, and his in-ring fireworks, as the perfect combination for a heavyweight champion. While Haye makes his fourth appearance as a heavyweight, Hennessy, and many insiders, view Ruiz as the first "real" heavyweight opponent for the British champion. Some may argue that Valuev should receive that status, but very few people, because of his slow reflexes, gave him a shot to beat Haye.
"I think it's sort of an intriguing fight because other than like the fight with Monte Barrett and then fighting a seven-foot giant, Nikolai Valuev, this is sort of like his first heavyweight fight for me. I think Haye is brilliant TV, he's explosive and he's really put a spring back into heavyweight boxing. I think it's a great fight. I think it's going to be an explosive fight which is what we need in the heavyweight division," Hennessy told BoxingScene.com.
Hennessy himself is grooming a potential heavyweight star in Tyson Fury (10-0, 8KOs). Fury has the catchy name and the size, and he certainly has the mouth. He returns in a tune-up bout on April 9 at the Alexandra Palace in London, and then takes on John McDermott in a rematch for the vacant BBBofC English heavyweight title on May 22 in Manchester.
The first bout with McDermott from last September, ended with a controversial points win for Fury. There has been some criticism that Hennessy is moving Fury too fast. Hennessy believes Fury is moving along at a steady pace and expects to see an impressive performance from his fighter in the rematch.
"There has been that criticism out there. I don't think we're rushing Tyson Fury too quick. That was the worst of Tyson Fury that night. You probably got to see 30% of him. And a lot of situations he didn't put his hands up to, and he's now addressing those situations. When the rematch comes around, I think we're going to see something very, very special," Hennessy said.
