David Benavidez has set himself the long-term goal of entering a UK stadium fight, with his potential opponent teasing that they could collide as heavyweights.
‘The Mexican Monster’ has, indeed, expressed his interest in eventually moving up to heavyweight, given the successful nature of his 200lb debut in May.
Back then, Benavidez became a three-division world champion by dethroning Gilberto Ramirez, who he stopped in six rounds to claim the WBO and WBA titles.
As for his next assignment, the 29-year-old is expected to face WBC cruiserweight champion Michal Cieslak in a three-belt unification match on December 12.
It is then hoped that Benavidez and Jai Opetaia, who have verbally agreed to collide, will end up headlining a mammoth show on Cinco de Mayo weekend in 2027.
Beyond that, though, Benavidez has highlighted unbeaten light-heavyweight Ben Whittaker as a possible opponent for his UK debut.
The Olympic silver medallist comes off a string of early knockouts but, against Conor Wallace this Saturday, is widely expected to encounter his toughest test thus far.
Speaking with Boxing News, Whittaker insisted on remaining at 175lbs for the foreseeable future but, like Benavidez, has not ruled out an eventual move up to heavyweight.
“Never say never, man. You see the size of my dad – I’ll be a heavyweight soon! For now, I’m in my own lane. But I would like that [Benavidez] fight down the road so, after this [his light-heavyweight campaign], it’s ‘Burger King, baby!’”
“First, I want to make sure I dominate my weight. Then I’d like to move up; I think it would be good to go through the weights.”
If he emerges victorious this Saturday, then Whittaker will become the IBF’s leading contender and, in turn, position himself for a mandatory shot at the winner of Dmitry Bivol vs Callum Smith, which is expected to take place on December 12.
