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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Former IBF junior lightweight boss Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov, 17-1-1 (14 KOs), will return to the ring against Houston, Texas’ Justin Pauldo, 17-2 (8 KOs), in a 10-round lightweight special attraction on Saturday, February 8, at Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas. The bout, which marks Rakhimov’s debut under new promoters Sampson Boxing will be streamed live on ProBox TV.
Rakhimov originally of Bokhtar, Tajikistan, and now fighting out of Downey, California, won his world title when he halted Zelfa Barrett in nine rounds at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi in November 2022. The 30-year-old southpaw will return to the ring in his first sanctioned appearance since losing his title in his first defense 22 months ago, via split decision to hometown challenger Joe Cordina at the Cardiff International Arena in Wales.
“I am grateful to be returning to the ring for a new promotional company,” said Rakhimov. “My opponent a good, tough fighter, which deserves respect, but he is no match for me and my drive to return to the world championship.”
“‘Shere Khan’ Rakhimov is back and looking to return to the top of the rankings where he belongs as soon as possible,” said new promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz. “We will put him in tough fights like these, which he needs to make a quick climb back to the top of the division for a world title challenge in the near future.”
The event is presented by Garry Jonas of ProBox Promotions, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing, and Alvino Valles of Texas Boxers and Brawlers Promotions.
It will also feature world ranked junior featherweight Ramon “Dinamita” Cardenas, 25-1 (14 KOs) of San Antonio taking on undefeated Bryan “Latino” Acosta, 20-0 (8 KOs) of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, in the 10-round main event. Also, streaking super middleweight Lester Martinez, 18-0 (15 KOs) of Guatemala City, Guatemala, faces also undefeated Joeshon “Shontime” James, 9-0-2 (5 KOs) of Sacramento in the 10-round super middleweight co-feature.
