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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Najee Lopez is one of the most promising light heavyweights in boxing.
He also trained beside Edgar Berlanga for every session prior to his upcoming fight on Saturday (February 24) against Padraig McCrory, which takes place at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.
Lopez is a talent, and best-known in the amateurs for his impressive run at the Last Chance Olympic Qualifiers in Oxnard, California where Lopez stopped three of his four opponents en route to not just winning the tournament, but being labeled the boxer of the tournament.
Since then, the 24-year-old is 9-0, with 8 KOs.
His next fight on ProBox TV is Wednesday, February 28 and his opponent, Marcos Escudero, is 14-2, 12 KOs, but Lopez recently spoke to BoxingScene about training beside ‘The Monster’ Berlanga for a second full training camp.
“I have done two camps with Berlanga,” Lopez said. “This camp was just different.
“From the first week until now, we have just been locked in together. Two sessions a day, every day.”
“From the training to the nutrition, we are all eating the same thing, we are just locked in.”
Berlanga has reconnected with Marc Farrait, his original coach. Farrait also trains Lopez and although they trained together for Berlanga’s Matchroom debut against Jason Quigley on June 24 last year, this camp felt different for Lopez.
Lopez fights just four days after Berlanga steps into the ring against McCrory.
“We have that same attitude,” Lopez explained. “We treat every fight like it is the biggest fight of our lives. We just keep that same attitude, the morale is there – just having fun with what we do, but serious at the same time.”
Lopez, now a light heavyweight, will be in the biggest fight of his life against Escudero, boxing over 10 rounds, a mere two rounds away from the championship glory, and main events he has always dreamed of.
And he knows Berlanga will be there, watching and supporting him in Plant City.
“It means a lot to have the support from bro,” said Lopez. “It means a lot. We just respected each other outside of the ring, and when we did share the ring it was amazing work. We have put in a lot of rounds.”
