David Benavidez’s father and head coach has revealed his contingency plan in case an uncontested lithe heavyweight clash with Dmitry Bivol does not materialize.

Benavidez moved up to 200 pounds and dethroned Gilberto Ramirez last month, earning a sixth-round stoppage to become three-division world champion.

However, his plan has always been to return to 175 pounds, where he still holds the WBC title and is looking forward to unified world champion Bivol.

Unfortunately for the “Mexican Monster,” it has been reported that Bivol is getting closer to a rubber match with Artur Beterbiev. He also has a mandatory challenger in Callum Smith to deal with, which means he could drop one of his three belts.

As a result, Jose Benavidez Sr. is now considering a cruiserweight unification fight between his son, the WBO and WBA titleholder, and WBC champion Noel Mikaelian.

I’m talking to MillCity BoxingJose highlighted this as a leading option after saying that the teams of Bivol, Beterbiev and former cruiserweight champion Jai Opetai were not in talks.

“I’m trying to organize these fights. I even told David, ‘These guys don’t answer.’ Let’s fight [Mikaelian]’.

“It’s not a fight that I’m really interested in… I’m just trying to take these fights with anyone [is available].

“If Father Bivol is watching this: stop talking. You say you want to shut up [Benavidez] up, [so] Let’s make it happen.”

Benavidez petitioned the WBC to become the mandatory challenger to Mikaelian and was successful. Therefore, if the WBC champion decides to fight Opetaia this year, as we reported earlier, he will be stripped of his belt.

For years, Floyd Mayweather has been telling the world that he is the smartest businessman in boxing. Now, with another former colleague publicly questioning his finances, Mayweather’s “Money” image is coming under renewed scrutiny.

The undefeated five-weight world champion is currently pursuing a $175 million lawsuit against former manager Jon Rechnitz, alleging misconduct related to jewelry deals, loans and the sale of a private jet.

But Rechnitz is now struggling.

In an interview with YouTuber Spencer Cornelia, Rechnitz rejected Mayweather’s allegations and stated that he had texts, photos, videos and documentation regarding Mayweather’s jewelry rentals and plane sales that told a completely different story.

Proof or posturing?

According to Rechnitz, there is evidence that Mayweather was aware of several deals currently at the center of the legal dispute.

“I don’t want to settle this issue through the media, nor do I want to publicly shame Floyd,” Rechnitz told Cornelia.

“It is unhappy that Floyd wasted his money. I have written him many letters regarding his spending habits, which are documented. I have had many conversations with him about slowing down his spending, but unfortunately it has caught up with him and now he is looking for others to blame.”

Rechnitz went further, arguing that Mayweather repeatedly attacked others when financial disputes arose.

“First he blamed Al Haymon, and now he blames me. He sued Showtime for $340 million, he sued Business Insider for $100 million, and now he’s suing me for $175 million. He’s unsustainable.”

These comments came just weeks after former Showtime Sports chief Stephen Espinoza publicly cast doubt on Mayweather’s separate $340 million claim against the broadcaster.

Questions about Mayweather’s money

Over the years, stories have come to lithe questioning Mayweather’s finances, even though the boxer earned hundreds of millions of dollars during one of the most lucrative careers in sports history.

The difference is that Mayweather has always considered himself an exception.

While fighters like Adrien Broner openly admitted to money-related mistakes, Mayweather built an entire brand around financial discipline, entrepreneurship and sharp investments.

If even one of his largest fighting portfolios had been placed in a high-interest account, the returns alone could have generated more than $200,000 a week without touching the original money.

Time will tell whether Rechnitz’s claims ultimately hold up in court. Mayweather strongly disputes his former manager’s version of events and is seeking significant compensation in the lawsuit.

But time is significant.

Questions continue to arise over Mayweather’s finances, while his proposed rematch with Manny Pacquiao remains in limbo, Mike Tyson’s exhibition continues to be postponed and his scheduled fight with Mike Zambidis looms later this month.

Where did the money go?

For a fighter who spent years convincing fans that no one was better with money than “Money” Mayweather, the conversation is increasingly focused on where the money went.

With Showtime’s $340 million lawsuit, a $175 million lawsuit against his former manager, Pacquiao’s delayed rematch, and modern financial allegations now circulating in the public eye, attention has shifted from Floyd’s next fight back to Floyd’s finances.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Since 2010, he has been interviewing world champions, breaking down international titles exclusively and reporting from the ring. His work is distributed on major platforms including Apple News. Read the full biography.

“I don’t know. It’s 50/50 right now. I think the fans and everybody wants to see it now. But no matter what, I don’t think he’s that confident, especially considering how I beat Ray,” Foster said on Custer’s channel.

“And you know, it’s the dollar store version of him. So I’m sure he likes, man, look, there are some things Ray does better than him. Ray has a little more power than him. I feel like I’m on the offensive, Rey can hit with both hands as far as he does.”

“So I feel like he knows it’s close, like a fight is about to happen, and he has something to worry about. I haven’t changed the softball or anything. So I think he’s a little nervous. He feels the throne shaking and I’m coming. So he’s going to have to respond, man. The fans want to see that.”

Foster also explained why he believes he will have the advantage in the matchup with Stevenson.

“I say, man, the same way his little man just played out. I’m going to put pressure on him. I’m going to do some things there to frustrate him, to piss him off,” O’Shaquie said.

“And you know, I feel like I’ve gotten a better offensive repertoire out of me and him, and I feel like that’s what it’s going to come down to.

“I showed I was ready to step into that fire. Ray was stronger. He got more crack than Shakur. So little things like that will make him keep me away from him now.”

Foster also dismissed suggestions that Stevenson would be too substantial to fight.

“I mean, Timothy Bradley said it correctly. I fought at 38, 35, 33, 37. Making those weights is straightforward for me. I’ll spar with them. These guys aren’t substantial.

“That 5-10 pounds is nothing. It’s not going to mean anything. Everyone’s really the same size. When they start doing this whole hydration clause or he’s too substantial, that’s a scary tactic.”

“Skill for skill, we know who. Skill pays the bills.”

When asked to outline his ideal future schedule, Foster said Shakur would be his favorite next opponent, also mentioning potential fights with Lamont Roach and Gervonta Davis.