David Benavidez willing to face British rising star: “Let’s make it happen”

Jose Benavidez Sr, the father and trainer of WBC world champion David Benavidez, has expressed his interest in a somewhat left-field matchup.

The light-heavyweight operator successfully defended his green and gold strap last month, engineering a punishing seventh-round finish over Anthony Yarde in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Shortly after his victory, Benavidez announced that he will face Gilberto Ramirez, the unified world cruiserweight champion, in a bold move up to 200lbs next year.

This, it seems, is in response to a lack of opportunities at 175lbs, with Benavidez claiming that potential fights with light-heavyweight king Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev remain difficult to see happening.

Ramirez, meanwhile, must first defend his WBO and WBA belts against Robin Sirwan Safar in January, before entering an expected showdown with ‘The Mexican Monster’ on May 2.

But while that very much appears to be the plan, Benavidez Sr has also welcomed a clash between his son and rising star Ben Whittaker.

‘The Surgeon’ made his promotional debut with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing last Saturday, comfortably dismissing overmatched opponent Benjamin Gavazi in the opening round.

But there are, of course, far tougher tests that await the Olympic silver medallist, especially if he is to eventually land a shot at two-weight world champion Benavidez.

As it happens, the WBC light-heavyweight king has already highlighted Whittaker as a potential dance partner for his UK debut, which he hopes will come to fruition at Wembley Stadium before he retires.

Benavidez Sr, however, has taken to social media in a bid to accelerate the process.

“Let’s make it happen! We want to give the fans the fights they want to see.”

Whittaker has since been ordered for a WBC final eliminator with domestic rival Joshua Buatsi, but whether it happens is another story.