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
Promoter Dan Goossen is having a difficult time finding opponents for his November 29th doubleheader featuring WBO welterweight champion Paul Williams (34-1, 25 KOs)and unbeaten heavyweight Chris Arreola (24-0, 21 KOs). Both fights will be televised by HBO.
According to Goossen, fighters are either turning down the offers, or making monetary demands that are way too high to fit into the budget. Some possible opponents have been asking for small fortunes, and HBO is not looking to spend a fortune on this show. Williams and Arreola will first co-headline a card on September 25 at the Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, California. Versus will televise that show.
On the September card, Williams will move up by two-weight divisions to fight Andy Kolle (17-1, 12 KOs) in a ten-round middleweight bout. Arreola will face once-beaten contender Israel Garcia (19-1, 11 KOs).
BoxingScene.com was informed that one of the names being thrown around for Arreola's November date is Travis Walker (28-1, 22KOs) in a possible IBF eliminator.
"That is one of the names, but there are few others," Goossen would tell BoxingScene.
Williams has several possibilies, including a fight with IBF junior middleweight champion Verno Phillips (42-10-1, 21KOs), and his WBO mandatory Michael Jennings (33-1, 16KOs). HBO is reportedly interested in the fight with Phillips.
"We might do that fight [Phillips] or we might go with Jennings," Goossen said.
Fans should not worry about Williams' interest in higher weight divisions. Goossen told BoxingScene that Williams, should he fights Phillips at 154 and wins the IBF title, would still descend to 147 for the big names like Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto. Goossen says that Williams is looking to show the world that he's an old school fighter with his willingness to fight the best in three weight divisions, 147, 154 and 160.
