David Benavidez has not ruled out an audacious move up to heavyweight, naming a formidable assignment that he believes could materialise down the line.
The 29-year-old must first take care of business in his next outing, which is expected to arrive in May, after having defended his WBC light-heavyweight strap with a seventh-round finish over Anthony Yarde.
It was his third fight at 175lbs that saw Benavidez cement himself as a two-division world champion in November, utilising his blistering hand speed and strong fundamentals to decisively break down Yarde.
Since then, the American has called out the likes of unified world light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, but is instead set to face Gilberto Ramirez later this year.
The unified world cruiserweight champion comes off a unanimous decision victory over Yuniel Dorticos in June, which followed his more dominant display against Chris Billam-Smith towards the end of 2024.
With Ramirez’s WBO and WBA titles up for grabs, Benavidez should therefore have the opportunity to become a three-division world champion at 200lbs before long.
Beyond that, though, ‘The Mexican Monster’ has expressed his interest in a possible clash with bona fide heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk, believing he has the frame to compete in the highest weight division.
Speaking with Power 106 Los Angeles, Benavidez confirmed his respect for the Ukrainian while, at the same time, highlighting him as a potential opponent.
“Usyk’s a great fighter. If I were to go up to heavyweight in the future, I would be really interested [in fighting Usyk].”
Usyk currently holds the WBC, IBF and WBA titles, after relinquishing his WBO strap in the wake of Fabio Wardley’s 11th-round stoppage victory over Joseph Parker in October.
Though it is not the first time Benavidez, 29, has teased a move to boxing’s top division, he has plenty of time to make it happen. The reality, therefore, is that Usyk may have called time on his career by that point.
