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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JEFFRIES ON THE RECEIVING END OF SHAK-ATTACK
TONY JEFFRIES was last night accused of being a pampered fighter.
The Olympic bronze medallist was on the receiving end of a verbal salvo from Ilya Shakuro, who boxes 'Jaffa' at Sunderland's Seaham Centre on Friday (10/7) in a six rounder light-heavyweight battle.
Speaking through his interpreter Belarusian Shakuro (2-1) said: "Jeffries doesn't have the same hunger that I have.
"How can he? He did well at the Olympic Games and earned a big money contract from some promoter. I just exist from day to day.
"He is spoilt and when it comes to the late stages of our fight he will not want to know."
Jeffries, 24, has romped to quick fire wins in his first two professional fights. On his debut he stopped Shakuro's close friend Aliaksandr Vayavoda.
The mouth of Minsk added: "I haven't seen the Vayavoda fight but he was angry when he came back to our gym.
"He told me that the English referee jumped into far too quickly and that Jeffries' punches were nothing.
"If I win this fight I might get more big fights against so called prospects and finally make some money for myself."
In the Sunderland bill topper Bristol southpaw Lee Haskins (18-2) defends his British super-flyweight title against Sheffield's serving soldier Ross Burkinshaw (6-1-2).
The cream of boxing talent in the north-east will also box on the card including local heavyweights Dave Ferguson and Danny Hughes. Newcastle's fighting brothers John Lewis Dickinson and Travis Dickinson are also in action.
For those of you who can't get hold tickets when the show is sold-out, you can watch all the action live and exclusive on Sky Sports
There are a few tickets priced £80 and £40 left. You can get yours from 0871 226 1508, www.frankmaloney.com and Phil Jeffries 0191 564 0202
SUTHERLAND LASHING OUT IN LEIGH
DARREN SUTHERLAND will have his next fight at Leigh Indoor Sports Centre on Friday July 24.
The Irishman, 27, was due to box in Sunderland on Friday night, but suffered a slight cut on his right cheek in his stoppage win over Gennadiy Rasalev last week.
Promoter Frank Maloney said: "It was touch and go whether Darren boxed on Friday, but we decided not to take the risk.
"I have one other show this month and Darren can go on that before taking a well earned summer rest."
Internet reports claimed Sutherland was pulled off the Sunderland bill straight after the Rasalev fight.
But Maloney hit back: "That is utter rubbish and those stories didn't come from Darren or any of his team.
"The decision was made on Monday when I returned from a business trip to Portugal and had there not been the show in Leigh, I may well have left Darren on in Sunderland."
The Olympic bronze medallist's opponent when he bids for his fifth straight win will be named next week.
Top of the action packed card is Jamie Moore's European light-middleweight title defence against Frenchman Jimmy Colas
On the same FTM bill hard-hitting Gary Davies puts his British bantamweight title on the (9-2-1) line for the first time, when he faces top class Londoner Ian Napa (18-7)
Tickets for the Leight show are available at £90 and £45 from all fighters, 0871 226 1508 and www.frankmaloney.com. Those who buy from the website will receive a discount.
