The uncertainty surrounding Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua could, rather unexpectedly, present David Benavidez with a major opportunity at heavyweight.
There has, indeed, been much talk about Benavidez joining the big boys, with the Mexican-American having previously been linked to a clash with Oleksandr Usyk.
For the most part, though, the 29-year-old has highlighted this as an eventual progression, given that he is currently focused on crafting a distinguished legacy at 200lbs.
He did, of course, make a successful cruiserweight debut in May, becoming a three-division world champion by dethroning Gilberto Ramirez with a sixth-round finish.
In doing so, he claimed the WBO and WBA titles and, now, ‘The Mexican Monster’ is expected to face newly-crowned WBC champion Michal Cieslak on December 12.
The only way he does not enter this unification match, it seems, is if Benavidez suddenly receives a phone call that Fury is available to square off the night before.
Or, at least, this is what The Ring’s Mike Coppinger is suggesting, as behind-the-scenes issues could reportedly prevent the long-awaited showdown between Fury and Joshua from taking place.
Another possibility: Tyson Fury-David Benavidez.
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) September 25, 2026
This is in spite of their all-British heavyweight contest being announced earlier this week, with the pair expected to lock horns at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11.
As is often the case in boxing, however, things are not quite how they seem – or, rather, the arrival of an announcement does not necessarily mean the Netflix and Ring event will come to fruition.
It remains to be seen, meanwhile, whether Benavidez makes a move up to heavyweight sooner than expected.
