By Francisco Salazar

Welterweight contender Jose Benavidez, Jr. is resting and recuperating after being shot over the weekend, Jose Benavidez, Sr. told BoxingScene.com late Thursday morning.

Benavidez has been recuperating at a Phoenix-area hospital since Sunday night when he was shot while walking his dog near his home.

TMZ was the first to break the Benavidez story Thursday morning.

"He's doing fine," said Benavidez, Sr. "He could be released today (Thursday)."

According to Benavidez, Sr., his son was walking his dog when he was approached by a young man, who was wearing all black attire, including a hoodie.

"Junior was walking his dog and someone approached him. He asked Jose if his dog was friendly, then pulled out a gun and shot him in the leg."

Benavidez was also shot in the pinky, although it was unclear if it was his left or right one.

"The doctor said he was going to be okay. (Jose) has a plate in his knee."

Benavidez, Sr. was in Southern California when the shooting occurred. Benavidez, Jr., along with younger brother David, train in Southern California where there is better sparring in preparation for fights.

As a parent, the shooting angered Benavidez, Sr. After receiving word his son would pull through though, Benavidez, Sr. breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

"I see and hear when people get shot, but I never thought it would happen to me. I received the call around noon on Monday. I can't explain how I felt. I was confused and in shock."

"But when I was told he was okay after having surgery, I felt better. (For two days), I was zoned out."

The suspect is still at large.

The 24-year-old Benavidez (25-0, 16 KOs) was victorious in his last bout on July 23, winning a close 10 round unanimous decision over Francisco Santana in Las Vegas.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing