Interim WBC super-middleweight champion David Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) is a fighter the fans love to interact with, and he makes himself accessible to the media at all times. It was no different Saturday night during the Showtime telecast headlined by Emmanuel Rodriguez (22-2, 13 KOs), who won the vacant IBF bantamweight title. While he was there to support his brother Jose Benavidez Jr. (28-2-1, 18 KOs) and stablemate Daniel Blancas (7-0, 5 KOs), Benavidez made time to take pictures with every fan that wanted one and to answer some questions from the media in attendance.
When discussing the rumored fight between himself and former WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs), Benavidez did not hesitate and went into the topic immediately. Benavidez told ProBoxTV, “Originally, we were trying to make the fight with Munguia, and he backed out at the last minute, so we weren’t able to make it work. I want to be a man of my word. I said I wanted either ‘Boo Boo,’ Canelo, Munguia, or Murrell. We weren’t able to get Munguia, but now it looks like Demetrius Andrade is going to happen, and it’s a really good fight.”
Benavidez has become a draw in Arizona, but a fight like this may land elsewhere. “It’s going to be either Las Vegas or California fight, but I’m not 100% sure yet,” said Benavidez. Both options seem like the right venues for this fight, as Las Vegas would welcome such a matchup with open arms. Southern California is also filled with fans of Benavidez and purists who would appreciate this caliber of fight.
Although Benavidez is known to have choice words for his opponents as there is usually bad blood between them, he has taken a different stance as Andrade is a guy that he seems to respect. Benavidez told ProBoxTV, “I’m excited to fight him. It’s every man vs. every man, so may the best man win. I don’t have any problems with him. He’s been looking for a big fight. I’m happy to be able to help him with that. Let’s give the fans a great fight.”
