By Norm Frauenheim
Jose Benavidez Jr. would welcome a chance to fight emerging star Terence Crawford, who is expected to make his second appearance at junior welterweight in the fall.
“We want that fight,’’ Benavidez’ father and trainer, Jose Benavidez Sr., said Thursday while planning for his son’s return to the gym next week..
Benavidez’ dad echoed comments made by his son, who talked about his hopes for a Crawford bout before a 12th-round stoppage of Jorge Paez Jr. in Phoenix on May 15.
That’s when Top Rank told 15 Rounds that Benavidez had been a possibility for Crawford’s debut at 140 pounds last spring. In the end, however, Puerto Rican Thomas Dulorme, instead of Benavidez, fought Crawford, who scored three knockdowns in winning a sixth-round TKO for the WBO’s version of the title on April 18 in his only bout this year.
Benavidez, an unbeaten 23-year-old from Phoenix, holds the WBA’s interim belt, which he won in a controversial decision over Mauricio Herrera in December and retained in a first defense against Paez Jr.
Benavidez’ chances at a bout with Crawford appear more likely now than they did April, because Top Rank wants to keep the Boxing Writers reigning Fighter of the Year busy while waiting to hear how Manny Pacquiao’s rehab from shoulder surgery is – or isn’t — progressing.
The unbeaten Crawford is a leading contender to succeed Floyd Mayweather Jr. as the game’s biggest star. He’s a nominee for 2014 Fighter of the Year Wednesday night at the ESPYs.
“Time will tell,’’ Crawford said Monday during a video chat with fans and media. “Right now, I’m just being patient with my career.’’
Against Benavidez (23-0, 16 KOs), Crawford (26-0, 18 KOs) would likely be a big favorite.
“That’s okay,’’ Benavidez Sr. said. “Herrera was a big favorite, too. Junior is going to be a big underdog for now, because he hasn’t really convinced people.’’
Herrera, his Southern California fans and many in the media remain convinced that the 116-112, 117-111, 116-112 scorecards in favor of Benavidez on Dec. 13 at Las Vegas’ Cosmopolitan were a rip-off, perhaps the biggest in 2014.
In the bout’s immediate aftermath, Herrera said he wanted a rematch. Benavidez said he’d give him one. But talk of a rematch quickly died. Instead, Herrera fights Hank Lundy Saturday in a final bell for the historic Sports Arena in Los Angeles.
Then, there was Jessie Vargas. Over the last 12 months, Benavidez has said repeatedly that he wanted Vargas. After a controversial finish to a one-sided loss to Timothy Bradley on June 27 in Carson, Calif., it’s not clear where Vargas goes next.
The bout was stopped seven seconds before the closing bell, just seconds after Vargas rocked Bradley with an overhand right. But the stoppage was a mistake. Referee Pat Russell thought he had heard the bell. The fight went to the cards.
Vargas is asking the California commission to declare the bout a no-contest. That might be one step in pursuing a rematch
“It just kind of looks like our only fight is Crawford,’’ Benavidez said. “It’s what we’re we’re hoping for. We’re excited about the chance.’’
