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 Ryan Burton
WBA super bantamweight champion Guillermo "El Chacal" Rigondeaux (17-0, 11 KOs) is very interested in unification bouts.
The 36-year-old appeared to fulfill his mandatory obligation when he blasted out Moises Flores in the first round of their fight two weeks in Las Vegas on the Andre Ward-Sergey Kovalev undercard.
Both men threw punches after the bell to end the round and Rigondeaux's punch, which knocked out Flores, was deemed legal at the time. However, a few days ago the Nevada State Athletic Commission overturned the ruling and changed the result to a no-contest. That change will likely cause the WBA to order a rematch.
High on the Cuban's wish list for his next opponent is WBO champion Jessie Magdaleno (25-0).
The Las Vegas native captured the title last year when he outpointed former multi-division champion Nonito Donaire. Rigondeaux used to have the WBO strap, having won it when he got off the floor to outpoint Donaire in a high-stakes unification fight in 2013. He was later stripped of the title due to inactivity.
Magdaleno and Rigondeaux were at one-point under the same promotional banner, Top Rank. Rigondeaux left Top Rank a few years ago and inked a promotional agreement with Roc Nation Sports last year.
Magdaleno's promotional affiliation is no issue for the two-time Olympic gold medal winner, who wants that unification bout at all costs.
"I am waiting for him because he has something that belongs to me. That title he has belongs to me," Rigondeaux told BoxingScene.com.
"They took it from me because I went so long between fights and couldn't get fights. He fought Nonito and beat him. Now Magdaleno has the title and I feel sorry for him because he has something that belongs to me. I saw an interview where he said he wanted to fight me and I am available right now. I will be there faster than UPS or Fedex. Just let me know."
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