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Veteran boxing scribe Francisco A. Salazar reports that former welterweight title challenger Jose Benavidez Jr. will return to action after nearly three years away on August 28th, joining the Showtime card headlined by brother David Benavidez’s battle with Jose Uzcategui.
The 29-year-old Benavidez (27-1, 18 KO) looked hugely promising during his rise through the ranks, but the wheels came off a bit after a questionable 2014 decision over perennial spoiler Mauricio Herrera. He ultimately managed to work his way into a title fight against Terence Crawford four years later, and though he started well, “Bud” did his usual thing and forced a 12th-round stoppage.
Benavidez definitely had potential and presumably still has time to realize it. It will be interesting to see how he’s developed during his time away; the division’s basically choked with promising new talent, so it’ll take a special sort of effort for him to stand out again.