Promoter Oscar De La Hoya says David Benavidez will scout this Saturday’s super middleweight clash between Jaime Munguia and John Ryder at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. De La Hoya says Benavidez will attend the fight.
(Photo credit: Golden Boy/Chris Esqueda)
Oscar likes the idea of having Benavidez in the audience because it creates more buzz for the Munguia-Ryder clash.
Having him there on Saturday will add more excitement to the match, even if De La Hoya has no true interest in letting Munguia anywhere near the Mexican Monster. It would be fake hype.
Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) will need an opponent for his next fight if Canelo Alvarez doesn’t select him for May 4th.
Potential Paths
Munguia (42-0, 33 KOs) and Ryder (32-6, 18 KOs) are both possibilities for Benavidez if the winner doesn’t get the match against the undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo in May. Fighting Ryder would be a calculated step for Benavidez and a safer choice.
Ryder is open to a fight with Benavidez if he’s victorious. He needs a big win over ‘The Mexican Monster’ or Caleb Plant to improve his chances for a rematch with Canelo.
As for Munguia. It’ll be up to his promoters at Golden Boy if they want to go in the direction of Benavdiez.
Fans want Benavidez vs. Morrell
Hardcore boxing fans would prefer that Benavidez show some bravery and challenge WBA ‘regular’ 168-lb champion David Morrell Jr. because he’s viewed as one of the best fighters in the division, if not the best. Benavidez and his dad, Jose Sr., have been cool to the idea of fighting Morrell. They want the bigger names.
The 35-year-old Ryder isn’t a bigger name for U.S. fans than Morrell Jr., but he is well-known in the UK, and he’s a much lesser threat. Benavidez doesn’t want to get beaten before he gets the Canelo payday.
