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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Jaron Ennis’ supernatural skills have been tested with middling opposition so far through eight years in his professional career, and “Boots” has kicked all of them to the curb.
Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs) was elevated from interim IBF welterweight belt holder to the full title in November when the sanctioning body stripped former undisputed champion Terence Crawford for failing to come to terms to fight Ennis, 27, of Philadelphia.
Ennis will now look to defend his title for the first time against David Avanesyan (30-4-1, 18 KOs) while headlining a homecoming fight in his Matchroom Boxing debut on July 13 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on DAZN.
Ennis last fought in July 2023, knocking out Roiman Villa in the 10th round, and was originally supposed to face Cody Crowley instead of Avanesyan. But Crowley was forced to pull out due to an injury in the first week of June.
“It wasn't really too much of a change. It's just another body in front of me. I am going to do whatever I do regardless,” Ennis told reporter Kayla Rivera. “It's a blessing. I can't wait to put on a beautiful show and make a big knockout statement. I can't wait to put on a show and display my talent. I am ready. I am super-prepared. I am in phenomenal shape. I am ready to rock and roll.”
Avanesyan bounced back from his knockout loss to Crawford in 2022 to score a fourth-round stoppage win against Serge Ambomo in December. The 35-year-old Armenian is a credible former world title contender but not the kind of opponent who will help Ennis catapult into another stratosphere or to the top of the pound-for-pound list.
As Crawford looks to begin his campaign at 154 pounds, the likes of Mario Barrios (WBC), Eimantas Stanionis (WBA) and Brian Norman Jr. (WBO) have picked up the titles that once belonged to “Bud.”
Ennis’ desire is to quickly clean out the welterweight division and chase Crawford for a junior middleweight clash.
“I'm not trying to be down here playing at 147 for too long,” Ennis said. “After this fight, I want to face everyone who has a belt. I want them all.
“I’ll fight anybody. I don’t care who it is. I’m going to do my thing regardless. I want to show the world my skills and abilities. I haven't gotten into my bag yet. Nobody has seen the best of me. My advantage is everything. I can box and bang, fight orthodox or southpaw, have a great jab and defense. Whatever you need, I got it. I'm like a variety pack of chips.
“I am the only name that nobody calls at 147. I don’t think no man is scared of another man, but when you hear other people call everyone out, they don’t call me out. The only people that really call me out is somebody that’s irrelevant that nobody cares about.
“I want to have a great legacy and beat all of the best guys. I'm just getting started. I feel like I am getting in my prime. I know I can beat anybody they put in front of me.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
