Benavidez Team Eyes Andy Ruiz Jr. for Heavyweight Debut, BoxingNews24 Reports

Plan

José Benavidez Sr. lays out three‑division route

BoxingNews24 reports that José Benavidez Sr. sketched a plan for David Benavidez to fight at cruiserweight, then light‑heavyweight, before attempting a heavyweight debut. The cruiserweight names mentioned in the outline were Michal Cieslak and Jai Opetaia; potential light‑heavy targets listed were Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. Speaking to ProBox TV, José Sr. framed the long‑term view as aspirational: “After that, we would love to make a fight with Andy Ruiz. We’re just dreaming here, daydreaming, but those are the fights that I think are very possible to make.” BoxingNews24 characterised the scenario as a roadmap the team hopes to pursue rather than a confirmed campaign.

Physical challenges

BoxingNews24 flags the toll of swinging between three weights

BoxingNews24 emphasised the severe physical demands of shifting repeatedly between cruiserweight, light‑heavy and heavyweight. The outlet noted David would need to add bulk to compete with cruiserweights, then drop around 25lb to make 175lb for light‑heavy, before rebuilding for heavyweight. That kind of fluctuation, BoxingNews24 argued, risks damaging stamina, punch resistance and mobility: modern fighters rarely “ping‑pong” across divisions because stripping functional muscle can sap conditioning and blunt legs. The report warned those physiological realities could undermine the plan before any heavyweight ambitions materialise.

Opponent selection

Ruiz named as a commercially attractive but smaller heavyweight target

BoxingNews24 said Team Benavidez has targeted Andy Ruiz Jr. as a likely heavyweight finale, describing the matchup as offering name recognition and regional appeal. The outlet pointed out Ruiz’s quick combinations and market value in the southwestern United States, while also noting he is considerably shorter than many modern heavyweights and therefore lacks the reach of the division’s larger fighters. BoxingNews24 reported that Ruiz returned from a two‑year layoff and lost to Damian Knyba, and suggested that by the time Benavidez completed a protracted multi‑division programme, Ruiz would be an ageing, ring‑rusted opponent rather than a prime heavyweight contender.

Promotions and practicality

Promotional hurdles and commercial questions complicate the blueprint

BoxingNews24 warned that coordinating a multi‑division route across competing sanctioning bodies, rival promoters and different broadcast platforms would be a lengthy, complex project. The piece described the idea as fanciful — José Sr. himself called it “daydreaming” — and raised doubts over Ruiz’s incentive to re‑commit. BoxingNews24 argued Ruiz has earned substantial money from previous big fights and, combined with intermittent activity, may lack the motivation for gruelling training camps and a serious comeback. The outlet concluded that pursuing a recognisable but diminished former champion could produce a commercially visible result without the heavyweight risks Team Benavidez appears to be avoiding.