David Benavidez’s triumph over Gilberto Ramirez has made him one of the pound-for-pound stars of the sport and a major threat to any fighter between light-heavyweight and heavyweight.
Before he defeated ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez for the unified cruiserweight titles on Saturday, Benavidez stated clearly that he would be returning to light-heavyweight soon after, where he has kept hold of his WBC title, to face Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed crown.
In an interview with Sean Zittel, ‘The Mexican Monster’ reaffirmed his desire to take on WBA, WBO and IBF champion Bivol, but instead suggested a 190lb catchweight with his cruiserweight belts on the line too.
“I was thinking how we could make that fight even bigger. I was thinking we could do a catchweight at 190lbs, we get the cruiserweight belts involved, the light-heavyweight belts involved and the winner takes all.
“Dmitry said he wanted to fight for the cruiserweight championship before his career was over, so maybe we can make an even bigger fight like that.”
Whilst titles from alternate divisions have been up for grabs in the same bout on prior occasions – such as when Donny Lalonde fought Sugar Ray Leonard and when Leo Santa Cruz faced Gervonta Davis – this has only previously been permitted when both fighters weighed in at the limit of the lowest belt.
As a result, unless a controversial and unlikely exception is made by all the sanctioning bodies, a fight for all of Benavidez and Bivol’s belts will not take place at a weight higher than 175lbs, or at all.
Luckily, for fans Benavidez then went on to state that he would also be willing to take that fight in the light-heavyweight division, but that he would need to get to work immediately in order to safely make the weight.
“I can still get to 175lbs, the thing is, if I do end up fighting him it is not going to be until the end of the year. It won’t be in September. If I get to work now, I could get down to that weight and that is exactly what I am planning to do. I am planning to get to work because I know what is next after this.
“I know that I have to be 100% ready, so if I’m going against Dmitry Bivol, I am getting to work probably next week.”
Bivol fights Germany’s Michael Eifert in two weeks’ time, but may then be made to accept a trilogy clash with Artur Beterbiev due to a ‘loose obligation’, which could scupper plans for Bivol-Benavidez and delay the event until 2027.
