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.
"Battle Zone 3," promoted by Alpha Omega Entertainment Group in association with Sprint, Mohegan Sun and NESN, will be taped live and shown on NESN on Thursday, May 24th at 8:00 PM/ET.
Hartford-native Oliver (18-0, 7 KOs), rated No. 8 by the International Boxing Federation, captured the USBA title last October with a 12-round unanimous decision against Adam Carrera at Mohegan Sun, is coming off of a close title-defense 12-round decision victory against Gary Stark, Jr. on February 16 in Oklahoma.
Torres (27-9, 15 KOs), a Philippine southpaw now fighting out of Pensacola (FL), is the former USBA and WBO super flyweight champion, as well as IBA bantamweight title holder.
The 10-round co-feature is a rematch between Rodney Toney, cousin of future Hall of Fame boxing champion James Toney, and Anthony "The Rowdy One" Russell for the vacant IBA Americas light heavyweight championship. Last October, WBA No. 36 rated Toney (29-5-5, 17 KOs) captured a unanimous 10-round decision from the Canadian-born Russell (15-2-1, 4 KOs).
"Our 'Battle Zone Boxing' series continues to grow with NESN and Mohegan Sun helping us bring high quality boxing on television in New England," promoter Hank Tuohy said. "Having Oliver headline, the USBA champion and rated so high by the IBF, is very exciting. The rematch between Toney and Russell should be a war. We also have some of the best young talent around on the undercard."
Chief support on the undercard will be provided by unbeaten heavyweight prospect Tony Grano (8-0-1, 7 KOs), the 2005 U.S. Nationals amateur champion from Hebron (CT), against dangerous Jay Sweetman (7-5, 3 KOs) in a six-round bout.
Also scheduled to fight on "Battle Zone 3" is exciting Stoughton (MA) cruiserweight Chris McInerney (7-0-1, 4 KOs), whose 2005 draw with Anterio Vines earned ESPN2 Fight of the Year honors, versus veteran John Battle (14-18-1, 7 KOs) in a six-round match; Vietnamese featherweight Dat "Be Dat" Nguyen (8-0, 5 KOs) faces Jorge Ruiz (5-1-1) in another six-rounder; Boston light welterweight Anthony LaMonica (3-0, 2 KOs) takes on Ken Yon Kellum (0-1 in a pair of four-round match. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
"Battle Zone 3" is sponsored in part by Mohegan Sun, Everlast, DavidoffMadison.com, Sprint/Nextel (Data Link Communications), KitchenSales.com and SearchHelp.com.
Tickets, priced at $25.00, $40.00 and $75.00, are available at the Mohegan Sun box office by calling 800.226.7711 or at www.mohegansun.com. For more information call 617.842.8661 or go to www.tuohysports.com.
ProboxTV’s championship series is now on the ProBoxTV YouTube channel for $5/month.
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