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 Cliff Rold
Andre Ward was already considered by most one of the better fighters in the world. However, prior to last Saturday’s Super Six final, his record had only one really superlative win. It now has two and in style.
Carl Froch had faced some of the stiffest competition in all of boxing dating back to his first title win over Jean Pascal. Some of the fights were close, but no one had soundly defeated him. Ward did, building a lead and then enduring some strong late rallies, winning almost every round in almost all but two judges eyes.
Now reigning as the lineal Super Middleweight king, Ward joins the upper echelon, vaulting over the previously more accomplished Froch. Froch exits to just outside the top ten, his quality run not forgotten. Only three surefire Hall of Famers reside ahead of Ward. Is he on his way to punching his own ticket to Canastota?
Only time will tell.
Also re-entering the top ten is Bantamweight Anselmo Moreno. Arguably the best defensive fighter in the game after Floyd Mayweather, Moreno pitched a gem against Vic Darchinyan. Moreno has been an underground favorite for a while. The rest of the world is catching up.
Without further ado, the final pound-for-pound update of 2011.
Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel, the Yahoo Pound for Pound voting panel, and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com
