Daniel Blancas could not ask for greater preparation ahead of his biggest opportunity thus far as a pro.
The former amateur standout and current unbeaten prospect is the latest boxer to join the training stable of Jose Benavidez Sr. The move comes as Milwaukee’s Blancas (4-0, 2KOs) is due to make his debut with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), as he will appear on the preliminary undercard preceding the March 4 Showtime tripleheader from Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
“I’m feeling great in training camp,” Blancas told BoxingScene.com of the career upgrade. “I’ve never been in better shape or more prepared for a fight. I’m ready to show the world what I’m capable of.”
The timing is perfect for Blancas as well as those for whom he has been brought in as a primary sparring partner.
The 22-year-old, 6’3” middleweight was a ten-time national champion before turning pro and signing with manager Tim VanNewhouse and adviser ubiquitous Sean ‘VIVA!’ Gibbons. One year into his pro career, he now gets to train alongside former two-time WBC super middleweight champ David Benavidez (26-0, 23KOs) and 21-year-old rising 168-pound prospect Diego Pacheco (17-0, 14KOs), with all three due to fight in March.
One week after Blancas makes his debut both with PBC and under papa Benavidez, Pacheco travels to jolly old England for a scheduled ten-round bout versus Jack Cullen on March 11 in Liverpool.
Rounding out the camp activity, Benavidez will defend his interim WBC 168-pound title versus former IBF titleholder Caleb Plant (22-1, 13KOs). Their highly anticipated grudge match headlines a March 25 Showtime Pay-Per-View event from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The unbeaten 26-year-old thrilled about the newest addition to the team to help him prepare for the fight.
“I like to keep guys around me that are hungry,” Benavidez told BoxingScene.com. “He’s got a deep amateur background. We were excited to bring him to camp. He loves to mix it up. We’re all just pushing each other in the gym, it will only make all of us better. I’m really excited to see Daniel’s first fight after this camp.”
The March 4 fight—versus an opponent to be named—will wrap up Blancas’ first full year as a pro which began last March 25. All four fights to date have taken place in Plant City, Florida, including a first-round knockout win last November 4.
An upgrade in competition is expected for his upcoming bout and moving forward as long as he’s honing his craft in the presence of championship talent.
“Daniel definitely has the talent to become a world champion,” Benavidez Sr. told BoxingScene.com. “Like any young talent, he still needs time to develop. With time and sacrifice, no doubt he will be a world champion, with all the amateur experience he has it will be completing this new chapter in becoming a world champion.
“It is an honor to be working with him and welcome him to our Benavidez family.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox