David Benavidez is poised to compete in a three-belt unification in December, but former pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford believes there is an alternate fighter that ‘The Mexican Monster’ should face next.
Benavidez stepped up 25lbs as he made the leap from light-heavyweight to cruiserweight in May, debuting in the 200lb division in a clash for Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez’s unified WBA and WBO world titles and halting the champion in the sixth round.
‘The Mexican Monster’ has since said that he will not be returning to the light-heavyweight scene, despite originally intending to do so prior to his fight with Ramirez, leaving two Brits to potentially meet for the vacant WBC light-heavyweight crown whilst he pursues cruiserweight domination.
Upon his next outing, Benavidez is set to collide with newly-elevated WBC cruiserweight ruler Michal Cieslak on December 12 in Phoenix, Arizona, as he seeks to add a third belt to his cruiserweight collection.
Although, in the eyes of Crawford, Benavidez should instead face fellow undefeated cruiserweight poster boy Jai Opetaia, with that contest listed amongst a host of bouts that Crawford declared he wants to see in a post on his X account.
Opetaia was in action earlier this month, as he stopped Noel Mikaelian to extend his unbeaten record to 31-0, though he remains without any world titles after being stripped of his IBF belt after defeating Brandon Glanton in March.
Whilst a fight between Benavidez and Opetaia will not take place this year, the victor of Benavidez-Cieslak will be ordered to face the Aussie in the fight that follows, with reports of a potential Cinco De Mayo show, which could also feature Ryan Garcia as well as the cruiserweight duo, already beginning to emerge.
